What county is Durham in, and which office handles title transfers?
Durham is in Durham County. Title transfers are handled by the NCDMV – Durham Office at 3101 S Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (919) 715-7000.
City release page
Durham, North Carolina Car Bill of Sale
Use this bill of sale when selling a car in Durham, North Carolina. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.
Durham, North CarolinaCarPopulation rank #66
What to include
- Buyer and seller names and addresses
- Car VIN and vehicle details
- Sale price and date
- Signatures from both parties
Next step
Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.
Local Requirements — Durham County
DMV / Title Office
NCDMV – Durham Office
Address
3101 S Miami Blvd, Durham, NC 27703
Phone
(919) 715-7000
Office Hours
Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Transfer Fees & Taxes
Title Transfer Fee
$56.00
Sales Tax Rate
3.00%
Base Registration Fee
$36.00
NC Highway Use Tax 3% (capped at $2,000)
Notarization: NOT REQUIRED
North Carolina does not require notarization.
Durham Transfer Checklist
- 3% HUT (max $2,000)
- Title transfer within 28 days
- Emissions inspection required in Durham County
- Seller must sign title assignment
County Information — Durham County
County Clerk / Recorder
Durham County Register of Deeds
Phone
(919) 560-0480
Website
https://www.dconc.gov/rodCar market data and safety information
The most common car makes in private-party sales are Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet, Nissan. Average private-party car prices range from $5,000–$25,000. The average NCAP safety rating for recent car models is 4.2 out of 5 stars. Cars average 3.1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Airbags (Takata), Power Train, Fuel System.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used car
Before completing a car bill of sale in North Carolina, verify these safety items:
- Verify airbag recall status (Takata recall affected 67M+ vehicles)
- Check tire age — tires over 6 years old degrade regardless of tread depth
- Confirm brake pad thickness and rotor condition
- Test all seatbelts for proper retraction and latching
Car insurance and depreciation in North Carolina
Liability insurance required in 49 states (New Hampshire is the exception). Average annual premium: $1,600–$2,200. Cars lose approximately 20% of value in the first year and 60% over five years. Japanese brands retain value best. Peak season for private car sales is spring (march–may) when tax refunds boost demand, with an average of 21 days on market.
Car registration and titling
Cars are classified as "Passenger vehicle" for registration purposes. Standard passenger cars weigh 2,500–4,500 lbs; no special weight-class registration required. Federal odometer disclosure is required for cars under 20 years old.
Car sales in Durham, North Carolina
Durham residents completing a car bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to North Carolina state rules. The state sales tax rate is 3%, 3% highway use tax (capped at $250 for private party sales). The most popular car makes in North Carolina include Toyota, Honda, Ford.
North Carolina bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 2,618 bill of sale documents for North Carolina transactions, with 70 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
Frequently asked questions
What is the sales tax rate on a car sale in Durham?
The combined rate is 3.00%. NC Highway Use Tax 3% (capped at $2,000).
Is notarization required for a car bill of sale in Durham?
No. North Carolina does not require notarization.
What fees should I expect when transferring a car title in Durham?
Title transfer fee: $56.00. Base registration fee: $36.00. Sales tax at 3.00% is collected at the time of title transfer.