How to Fill Out a North Dakota Car Bill of Sale
Follow this checklist to complete the form correctly in North Dakota.
How to fill out a North Dakota car bill of sale
Total time: 5–10 minutes
You will need:
- Signed vehicle title
- Government-issued ID for both parties
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Enter seller and buyer names
Write the full legal names and current addresses of both the seller and buyer exactly as they appear on their government-issued IDs. Errors here can delay the North Dakota DMV title transfer.
Add vehicle details
Record the car's year, make, model, and color. Double-check the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the dashboard or door jamb.
Record the sale price and date
Write the agreed sale price in both numerals and words to prevent disputes. Enter the exact date the ownership changes hands — this date triggers the North Dakota title transfer deadline.
Disclose the odometer reading
Write the exact mileage shown on the odometer at the time of sale. Federal law (49 CFR Part 580) requires this disclosure for most motor vehicles under 20 years old — omitting it can void the sale.
Both parties sign the bill of sale
Seller and buyer both sign and date the completed form. Each party keeps a signed original. North Dakota may require the signed bill of sale at the DMV to complete the title transfer.
Download and print a copy for each party
Print at least two copies — one for the buyer to submit to the DMV and one for the seller to keep as proof the vehicle was sold. Store your copy for at least three years.
North Dakota Car transfer fees and requirements
In North Dakota, the title transfer fee is $5 and registration costs Based on weight and age; $49 - $274. Car sales are subject to 5% excise tax on vehicle purchase price. North Dakota does not require notarization for private-party car transfers. North Dakota does not require emission testing for private-party car sales.
- 5% motor vehicle excise tax applies
- Title transfer at county motor vehicle office
- No emissions testing requirement
Official North Dakota bill of sale form
The official North Dakota bill of sale form is SFN 2872 (Bill of Sale). BillOfSaleNow generates a document that meets all North Dakota requirements and can be used in place of the official form.
North Dakota sales tax on car purchases
North Dakota has a 5% state sales tax rate. 5% motor vehicle excise tax statewide. Private-party car sales in North Dakota are subject to sales tax. Excise tax applies to all vehicle purchases. The title transfer fee is $5.
Car 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 Dakota, 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 Dakota
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.
Odometer disclosure for car sales
Federal law (49 CFR 580) requires an odometer disclosure for passenger cars less than 20 years old at the time of transfer. The seller must certify the reading is accurate or indicate if the odometer has been tampered with or exceeds its mechanical limits.
- Applicable law: 49 CFR Part 580 — Odometer Disclosure Requirements
Required disclosures for car sales in North Dakota
When selling a car in North Dakota, the following disclosures apply:
- Salvage or rebuilt title status must be disclosed to the buyer before sale.
- Lemon law buyback history must be disclosed in states that track branded titles.
- Emission compliance status may affect registration in states with inspection programs.
North Dakota bill of sale statistics
BillOfSaleNow has generated 194 bill of sale documents for North Dakota transactions, with 5 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Generate your document
If you prefer to generate a completed North Dakota car bill of sale automatically, you can create one here.
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)
Informational purposes only. This content is provided for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws vary by state and individual circumstances differ. Consult a licensed attorney for jurisdiction-specific guidance on vehicle transfers, title requirements, or related legal matters.