Montana vehicle bill of sale

Fill in the free Montana bill of sale on this page and print it.

A properly assigned Montana title is the main transfer document, and MVD lists the Bill of Sale (MV24) among forms that may be needed. MV24 is used to authorize an electronic records transfer when the seller does not hold a paper title (MCA 61-3-220), and with a Break/Bond Title Application (MV10). In those two cases the MV24 must be notarized. The Flathead County Treasurer accepts a legal bill of sale with the seller's original signature as proof of purchase for a 40-day temporary registration permit.

Use the official form if you prefer it: Bill of Sale (MV24).

Montana lists these items:

• Year, make, model and VIN or HIN
• Sale price
• Whether the vehicle is sold for parts only and whether a title is available
• Purchaser's name and driver license, FEIN, tribal ID or corporate ID number
• Seller's name, ID number and address
• Signatures of all sellers, with dates
• Purchaser's address, printed name, signature and date
• Odometer disclosure on form MV90A for model year 2011 and newer vehicles under 20 years old

1. Pay off any loan and have the lien released before the sale. You can check title status online at mvdmt.gov.
2. Fill in the title in blue or black ink: sign as seller and write the buyer's name and address. Do not use white-out or erase, which voids the title.
3. Record the odometer reading on the title for model year 2011 and newer vehicles under 20 years old.
4. Give the buyer the signed title when you hand over the vehicle. If the title is electronic, complete a notarized Bill of Sale (MV24) to authorize the transfer.
5. Remove your license plates before the buyer takes the vehicle.
6. Keep a written record of the sale, such as a photocopy of both sides of the reassigned title.

MCA 61-3-220 says the seller executes the transfer 'in the appropriate space provided on the certificate of title' and delivers the title to the buyer with the vehicle. MVD says all fields must be completed in blue or black ink, the buyer's name and address must be written on the title, and the person who signs as buyer must be the buyer named there. White-out or attempts to erase or scratch out entries void the title. Titles issued since October 1, 2025 have no notary section.

MVD's guide lists no notice of sale for sellers. It says to remove your plates, because a seller who leaves them on may be liable for parking or traffic violations after the sale, and to keep a photocopy of both sides of the reassigned title.

MVD says the plates belong to the seller, not the vehicle, and MCA 61-3-334 requires the seller to remove them immediately when ownership transfers. You may transfer them to another vehicle you own (MCA 61-3-335). The buyer leaves the plates with the seller and buys new plates at the county treasurer.

Inspection. None tied to the sale. MVD's guide only says the buyer and seller should agree on who pays for any mechanical inspection.

Odometer disclosure. Under MCA 61-3-206, the seller records the odometer reading on the title before signing it over. If the title has no space for it, the seller gives the buyer a signed written statement, and the buyer signs to acknowledge it. Model year 2010 and older vehicles, 2011 and newer vehicles 20 years old or older, vehicles over 16,000 pounds gross weight rating and vehicles that are not self-propelled are exempt. When a Bill of Sale (MV24) is used, the disclosure goes on form MV90A.

Sales tax. The Montana Department of Revenue says Montana does not have a general sales tax, so no sales tax is due on a private sale. The buyer pays the title fee, registration fees and any local option taxes at the county treasurer.

The buyer has 40 days to apply for a new title. The title fee is $12.36.

Forms used in the transfer:

• Bill of Sale (MV24)
• Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle Application (MV1)

This is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so check with the Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD), with county treasurers' offices if anything about your sale is unusual. Last verified October 20, 2026.

Listing it first? Good photos sell cars faster: see how to take pictures of a car to sell, and read the full guide to selling a car. Buying or selling in another state? Pick it on the bill of sale page.