North Dakota Bill of Sale

Vehicle, boat, trailer or general bill of sale with odometer statement, as-is clause and your state's notary and DMV requirements.

Free to fill & preview · $9 for the clean PDF + Word

This preview updates as you type. Blank fields show as ____ .

North Dakota rules that this document follows

Notarization (vehicle)Not required for the bill of saleSource: SFN 2888 contains a notary block that must be completed if the state form is used; a handwritten bill of sale need not be notarized (N.D. DOT practice; N.D.C.C. § 39-05-17)
Official DMV formSFN 2888 (Bill of Sale)
Odometer disclosureRequired for vehicles under 20 model years oldSource: 49 U.S.C. § 32705; 49 C.F.R. Part 580 (odometer statement required for vehicles less than 20 model years old)
Buyer must apply for title within30 daysSource: N.D.C.C. § 39-05-17 (transfer within 30 days)
General propertyNo notarization; no witnesses requiredSource: No statutory notarization or witness requirement for a general bill of sale of personal property (UCC Article 2 governs sales of goods)
BoatSFN 2888 accepted for Game & Fish boat registrationSource: N.D.C.C. § 20.1-13-04
Sales taxBuyer pays a 5% motor vehicle excise tax on the purchase price to NDDOT at titling (N.D.C.C. § 57-40.3).

Rules current as of 2026-09-07. Statutes change; verify before relying on them.

How to use this Bill of Sale in North Dakota

Fill in the VIN exactly as it appears on the title, record the odometer without tenths, and have both parties sign two originals — one each. If North Dakota requires notarization, sign in front of the notary, not before.

Sellers: remove your plates if your state requires it and file a release of liability with the DMV. Buyers: apply for title and registration promptly and insure the vehicle before driving it.

Frequently asked questions

Does a bill of sale need to be notarized in North Dakota?

No statute requires notarizing a bill of sale in North Dakota (SFN 2888 contains a notary block that must be completed if the state form is used; a handwritten bill of sale need not be notarized (N.D. DOT practice; N.D.C.C. § 39-05-17)). Notarizing is optional but adds proof of signatures.

Is a bill of sale enough to transfer a car?

No — ownership passes with the assigned certificate of title. The bill of sale documents the price, date, odometer and as-is terms, and North Dakota uses SFN 2888 (Bill of Sale). The buyer must apply for a new title within 30 days.

What does 'as is' mean?

The buyer accepts the property in its current condition with no implied warranties. Sellers should still disclose known defects; fraud is never protected by an as-is clause.

Related documents

Other states

FormsByState provides self-help document templates and general information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm. For advice about your situation consult a licensed attorney in your state.