“Do I need a notary?” “What do I do with the plates?” “I can’t find the title.” Every junk car buyer hears these on the phone, and the answer is different in every state.
Below is what each state’s motor vehicle agency says about the questions sellers ask most, written so you can read it straight to a seller. Each state shows which agency it comes from and when it was last checked.
This is a summary, not legal advice.
Rules change, and counties sometimes add their own steps. When a deal depends on it, check with the agency named under the state, and follow your own state’s rules for what you as a buyer must collect and report.
How to use this on a call
- Ask early. “Do you have the title, and is it in your name?” belongs in the first minute of the call, before you give a price. See our phone script.
- A missing title isn’t a no. Most states have a way to get a duplicate, and some let older, low-value cars go to a dismantler without one. Tell the seller what to do and follow up when they have it.
- Tell them about the notary before pickup day. In states that require one, an unnotarized title means a wasted trip.
- Tell them what to do with the plates. Many states want them off the car before it leaves.
For what to check yourself before the car goes on your truck, see the paperwork checklist.
The rules, state by state
Every state: the federal mileage rule
Federal law: if your car is a 2011 or newer, write the mileage on the title when you sign it. A 2010 or older car is exempt.
Alabama
- Take your plates off when you sell the car. The Alabama Department of Revenue says you may be able to move them to your next vehicle.
- Alabama does not require a notary when you sign your title over to the buyer.
- Lost your title? Apply for a replacement online or through a designated agent, such as your county license plate office. The application fee is $15.
- Alabama does not issue titles for cars more than 35 model years old.
- Never titled it in your name? A car 12 or more model years old and worth $1,000 or less can go to a dismantler or recycler with a sworn statement.
From the Alabama Department of Revenue. Checked October 2026.
Arizona
- Take your plate off when you sell the car. Arizona plates stay with the owner, not the car.
- Within 30 days, move your plates to another vehicle, turn them in, or file an affidavit saying they were destroyed.
- You can file a free Sold Notice with the Arizona MVD within 10 days of the sale.
- Lost your title? You can apply to the Arizona MVD for a duplicate title.
- Without a title, a licensed recycler or registered scrap metal dealer can still buy a car at least 12 model years old for $1,200 or less.
From the Arizona MVD. Checked October 2026.
Arkansas
- If you want to move your plate to your next vehicle, the Arkansas DFA asks for your current registration certificate.
- Print the buyer's name on the back of the title. Then you and the buyer each sign and print your names.
- Telling the Arkansas DFA you sold the car is optional. You can mail or hand in its Notice of Transfer of Ownership form.
- Lost your title? A replacement costs $10 at any Arkansas state revenue office.
- If the car is at least 25 years old and has no title, a bill of sale can stand in for the title when it is sold for scrap.
From the Arkansas DFA. Checked October 2026.
California
- California plates generally stay with the car. Personalized and some special plates can be moved to another vehicle for a fee.
- Sign the title as the seller. A REG 227 replacement title form needs a notary only if a lender is listed on the registration.
- Report the sale to the California DMV within 5 days with a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability. You can file it online.
- Lost your title? Fill out form REG 227. A licensed dismantler can use it in place of the title.
- A car sold to be wrecked or dismantled does not need a smog check.
From the California DMV. Checked October 2026.
Colorado
- Take your plates off before the car leaves. In Colorado, plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle.
- Sign and print your name in the seller section exactly as it appears on the front of the title.
- If your Colorado title has a space for a notary, have it notarized or fill out form DR 2445 instead.
- Within 5 days, you may report the sale with Report Release of Liability on myDMV. It removes you from liability for what the buyer does after the sale.
- Lost your title? Request a duplicate on myDMV, at your county motor vehicle office, or by mail with form DR 2539A.
From the Colorado DMV. Checked October 2026.
Connecticut
- Take your plates off the car and cancel your registration with the Connecticut DMV.
- Sign the back of the title and give the buyer a bill of sale. You can use form H-31 or write your own.
- Canceling your registration online is free. Until you cancel, your town can still charge property tax on the car.
- Lost your title? If the buyer will register the car in Connecticut, sign forms H-6B and Q-1 and give them to the buyer.
- Connecticut does not title cars more than 20 model years old. For those, your registration certificate proves you own the car.
From the Connecticut DMV. Checked October 2026.
Delaware
- In Delaware the plate stays with the car when you sell it, unless you put it into retention at a DMV office first. Bring your Delaware title to do that.
- Turn your plates in to the Delaware DMV before you cancel your insurance. You can mail them with a note saying the car was junked.
- Delaware titles do not need a notary. Fill in section 1 on the back with the buyer's name and address, sale date, price and mileage.
- Fill out the Seller's Report of Sale at the bottom of your title and mail it to the Delaware DMV, or drop it off, as soon as possible.
- Lost the title? Apply for a duplicate with form MV213. The fee is $50.
From the Delaware DMV. Checked October 2026.
District of Columbia
- Take your tags off the car before it leaves. You may be held liable for traffic violations while your tags are still on it.
- Not moving the tags to another car? Cancel them with DC DMV. The primary owner can do it online, then must mark out the tag number and dispose of the tags.
- Keep your insurance until your tags are surrendered to DC DMV. If you cancel insurance first, you will owe an insurance lapse fee.
- Sign the back of the title over to the buyer and write in the mileage. If more than one owner is listed, every owner must sign.
- Lost the title? You can request a duplicate from DC DMV online if nothing on the title is changing, or by mail or in person.
From DC DMV. Checked October 2026.
Florida
- Your plates stay with you, not the car, so take them off before the truck leaves.
- Florida titles do not need a notary. Complete the Transfer of Title by Seller section in full, with your printed name and signature.
- Florida law says to file a Notice of Sale, form HSMV 82050, within 30 days of the sale.
- Lost a paper title? Apply for a duplicate with form HSMV 82101 at a motor vehicle service center before you sell.
- No title? A car at least 10 model years old and worth under $1,000 can go to a licensed salvage dealer or metals recycler on a derelict vehicle form.
From the Florida HSMV. Checked October 2026.
Georgia
- Your plates stay with you, not the car. You can keep them, move them to another car, or turn them in to the Georgia DOR.
- Print and sign your name as seller on the back of the title, and fill in the buyer's name, address, sale date and mileage.
- Cancel the car's registration online through DRIVES e-Services or at your county tag office. Do it before you cancel your insurance.
- Lost the title? A replacement costs $8 at your county tag office.
- No title? A lien-free car 12 model years or older and worth under $850 can go to a licensed scrap or parts buyer on Form MV-1SP.
From the Georgia DOR. Checked October 2026.
Idaho
- Your plates stay with you, not the car. Take them off when you sell, and you can move them to another car you own.
- Sign the title over to the buyer. If you write the selling price and date on the title, you do not need a separate bill of sale.
- Selling it for junk? Idaho law says to write "for junk only" on the face of the title when you sell it.
- File a release of liability within 5 days of handing over the car. It costs $3.50 and you can file it online.
- Lost the title? The Idaho DMV charges $14 for a duplicate.
From the Idaho DMV. Checked October 2026.
Illinois
- Take your plates off the car. Illinois law says to send them to the Illinois Secretary of State or have them moved to another vehicle you own.
- Sign the title over to the buyer and give it to them when they take the car.
- On the title, fill in the sale date, your printed name and signature, and the buyer's printed name and address.
- Lost your title? You can apply to the Illinois Secretary of State for a duplicate. The fee is $50.
- A licensed scrap processor cannot take your car without proof of ownership, such as the title or a junking certificate, and two forms of ID from you.
From the Illinois Secretary of State. Checked October 2026.
Indiana
- Take your plates off when you sell. The Indiana BMV does not need them back, and you can move them to another vehicle you own.
- If you throw a plate away, make it unreadable and unusable first.
- Every owner on the title signs and prints their name in the seller section. Also fill in the odometer reading, sale date, price and buyer's details.
- Lost your title? Order a duplicate from the Indiana BMV online through myBMV, at a branch or kiosk, or by mail for $15.
- With a lost title, you can apply to the Indiana BMV for a Certificate of Authority, which lets you sell the car to a salvage recycler for scrap.
From the Indiana BMV. Checked October 2026.
Iowa
- Take your plates off. You can put them on a car you buy within 30 days, or turn them in to your county treasurer.
- Sign the back of the title as seller, print the buyer's name and address on the top line, and print the date of sale.
- You can file a Notice of Sale, form 411107, with any county treasurer to show you sold the car and handed over the title.
- Lost the title? Apply for a replacement with form 411033 at your county treasurer's office.
- No title? Iowa law lets you sell a car 12 model years or older to a licensed vehicle recycler, if it pays you less than $1,000.
From the Iowa DOT. Checked October 2026.
Kansas
- Take your plate off the car when you sell it. The Kansas Division of Vehicles says to always remove plates from a vehicle you have sold.
- Kansas does not require a notary on most title assignments. A lien release does need to be notarized.
- You can file a Seller's Notification of Sale (TR-216) to take your name off the vehicle record.
- If you turn in or transfer your plate at the county treasurer's office, the sold car no longer shows you as owner, so the TR-216 is not needed.
- Lost your title? If there is no lien, apply for a duplicate with form TR-720B at any county treasurer's motor vehicle office or by mail. The fee is $10.
From the Kansas Division of Vehicles. Checked October 2026.
Kentucky
- If your registration has not expired, you keep the plate. You can put it on another vehicle you own of the same class for a one-time $11 fee.
- If your registration has already expired, return the plate to your county clerk's office. Personalized plates are the exception.
- Kentucky titles are signed in front of a notary. As the seller, you sign the back of the title.
- If the buyer has not transferred the title within 15 days, file a notarized Affidavit of Incomplete Transfer (TC 96-3) with your county clerk.
- Lost your title? Your county clerk can issue a duplicate using form TC 96-182. The fee is $6 plus the cost of a notary.
From the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Checked October 2026.
Louisiana
- Louisiana law says plates come off when your use of them ends. The Louisiana OMV can move a plate to a vehicle that replaces this one.
- Sign the title over to the buyer in front of a notary. The Louisiana OMV also accepts the sale if the bill of sale is notarized.
- You can tell the Louisiana OMV you sold the car through its online Notice of Vehicle Transfer. Your record is flagged right away.
- Lost your title? Apply to the Louisiana OMV for a duplicate on the Vehicle Application (DPSMV1799), with its duplicate title affidavit notarized.
- If the car cannot run and is worth most as scrap, a licensed dismantler or scrap metal processor can take a signed affidavit from you instead of a title.
From the Louisiana OMV. Checked October 2026.
Maine
- Your registration ends when you sell. If you won't put the plates on another car within 6 months, send them and your registration to the Maine BMV.
- Sign the back of the title and add your address and the sale date. If two owners are listed, both must sign.
- In 2026, a Maine car from model year 2000 or older does not need a title.
- Lost your title? The Maine BMV sells a duplicate online for $46 if you have a Maine driver's license, or by mail on form MVT-8 for $33.
- If the car is at least 20 model years old and will be scrapped, a recycler or scrap processor can buy it without a title after recording your photo ID.
From the Maine BMV. Checked October 2026.
Maryland
- Your plates stay with you, not the car, so take them off before the buyer takes it.
- If the car will be scrapped, Maryland law says to send the plates and registration card to the MVA right away, unless you move the plates to another car.
- Keep your car insurance active until the Maryland MVA gives you a tag return receipt.
- On the back of the title, write the buyer's name and address, the price, the mileage and the sale date, then sign it.
- Lost your title? Ask the Maryland MVA for a duplicate before you sell, on myMVA if your car qualifies, at a branch or by mail.
From the Maryland MVA. Checked October 2026.
Massachusetts
- Your registration ends when you sell the car. You can move it and your plates to another vehicle you own through the Massachusetts RMV.
- When you hand over the car, sign the title over to the buyer and write in the actual odometer reading.
- Massachusetts law says to return your registration certificate to the Massachusetts RMV right away, with the sale date and the buyer's name and address.
- Lost your title? Apply to the Massachusetts RMV for a duplicate.
- A yard that takes your car to junk it must send the title, or other proof of ownership the RMV requires, to the RMV within 10 days.
From the Massachusetts RMV. Checked October 2026.
Michigan
- Take your plate off before the buyer takes the car. The plate stays with you, and you can move it to another car you own.
- Fill in the seller's part of the title with the exact mileage, your name, address and signature, and the buyer's name and address.
- Michigan law says you must either go with the buyer to a Secretary of State office or keep a record of the sale for at least 18 months.
- Michigan law says a business that buys a car from you for scrap or parts must receive your signed title.
- Lost your title? The Michigan Secretary of State sells a duplicate online or at an office for $15, or $20 for a same-day title at an office.
From the Michigan Secretary of State. Checked October 2026.
Minnesota
- Your regular plates usually stay with the car and pass to the new owner, along with the registration.
- Every seller listed on the title must print their name, sign, and write in the sale price and the date of sale.
- Minnesota law says to report the sale to DVS within 10 days, using the title's Notice of Sale or sending it electronically.
- If your title is lost, get a duplicate from Minnesota DVS. Most deputy registrar offices can print one the same day.
- A licensed dealer may buy a car for scrap without a title if it is at least 10 model years old and DVS paperwork shows it unregistered over 7 years.
From Minnesota DVS. Checked October 2026.
Mississippi
- Take your license plate off when you sign over the title and hand over the car.
- Turn the plate in at your county tax collector's office. Once it is surrendered, your ownership record with the state is no longer current.
- Fill in every section of the title assignment except the buyer's printed name and signature.
- Lost your title? Order a replacement from the Mississippi DOR with Form 78-006 for $9, or $39 for fast track service.
- A licensed parts dealer or scrap processor can buy a car without a title on DOR Form 78-031 if it is at least 10 model years old with no lien.
From the Mississippi DOR. Checked October 2026.
Missouri
- Take your license plates off before the buyer takes the car, even if the plates are expired.
- All sellers print and sign their names on the back of the title. The Missouri DOR says these signatures do not need a notary.
- Report the sale to the Missouri DOR within 30 days on Form 5049 or Form 1957. The DOR says a sale to a dealer does not need this.
- Lost your title? Apply for a duplicate on a notarized Form 108 at a license office or by mail. The fees are $8.50 plus a $9 processing fee.
- A scrap metal operator may buy your car without the title if it does not run, is fit only for scrap, and is at least 10 model years old.
From the Missouri DOR. Checked October 2026.
Nebraska
- To ask for a refund on your registration after the sale, take your plates and registration to the county treasurer within 60 days.
- Every owner named on the title signs the seller's section. Nebraska does not require a notary for this.
- You must also give the buyer a bill of sale or a completed Nebraska Form 6.
- You can report the sale for free online with the Nebraska DMV's Notice of Transfer service.
- If you lost the title, you can get a duplicate at any county treasurer's office for $14.
From the Nebraska DMV. Checked October 2026.
Nevada
- Keep your plates when you sell. You have 60 days to put them on another car or turn them in to the Nevada DMV, or 30 days for specialty plates.
- Sign the title exactly as your name is printed on it. If two owners are joined by "and" on the title, both must sign.
- File a Vehicle Resale Notification with the Nevada DMV on MyDMV within 5 days of the sale.
- Lost your Nevada title? Apply for a duplicate with form VP 012. The fee is $20 if the car stays in Nevada, and the form must be notarized.
- Cancel your registration or turn in your plates before you stop your insurance. The Nevada DMV can mail a fine starting at $250 for an active plate with no insurance.
From the Nevada DMV. Checked October 2026.
New Hampshire
- Your plates and registration stay with you after the sale. You can move them to your next car at your town or city clerk.
- Sign the assignment on the title when you hand over the car. New Hampshire's title law does not call for a notary.
- Most cars from model year 1999 or older are not titled in New Hampshire, so there may be no title to sign.
- For a car with no title, you fill out a report of sale for the buyer on form TDMV 22A or a similar form.
- If your car is model year 2000 or newer and the title is lost, you can apply to the NH DMV for a duplicate.
From the NH DMV. Checked October 2026.
New Jersey
- Take your plates off and turn them in at any New Jersey MVC agency, unless you are moving them to another car you own.
- Keep the MVC's plate surrender receipt in case any charges are later linked to those plates.
- Sign the seller's section on the back of the title and give it to the buyer.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale with their name and address, the sale date, the odometer reading and the price.
- If you lost the title, you can get a duplicate at a New Jersey MVC Vehicle Center for $60 with form OS/SS-UTA.
From the New Jersey MVC. Checked October 2026.
New Mexico
- New Mexico plates belong to you, not the car, so take the plate off before the car leaves.
- Within 30 days, take the plate to the NM MVD to be destroyed, or have it put on another vehicle of the same class.
- Sign the title over and fill in the buyer's name, the sale date, the price and the odometer reading.
- State law says you must tell the NM MVD about the sale. Mail the Notice of Vehicle Sold form (MVD-10048) to the MVD Sold Unit.
- If you lost the title, you can apply for a duplicate as the registered owner using form MVD-10901.
From the NM MVD. Checked October 2026.
New York
- Take your plates and windshield registration sticker off before the sale. Unless you move the plates to another car, turn them in to the New York DMV.
- Turn in your plates before you cancel your insurance. If you do not, the New York DMV will suspend your registration and can suspend your license.
- A New York title does not need to be notarized when you sign it over to the buyer.
- You sign the transfer section on the back of the title and a bill of sale, form MV-912.
- Lost the title? If your car is at least eight model years old and worth $1,250 or less, you can sell it to a DMV-registered dismantler using form MV-35.
From the New York DMV. Checked October 2026.
North Carolina
- Take your plates off when you sell. Turn them in at any NC license plate agency unless you are moving them to another car you own.
- Turn in the plate before you cancel the car's insurance, or you can face fines.
- North Carolina titles must be signed in front of a notary.
- If the sold car still shows on your NC DMV record, you can file form MVR-46F, notarized, to have it marked cancelled.
- If your car is 12 model years old or older, a salvage yard or metal recycler can buy it without a title if you show photo ID and sign a seller statement.
From the NC DMV. Checked October 2026.
North Dakota
- Take your plates off when you sell. In North Dakota the plates stay with you and can go on your next vehicle.
- Sign and date Part 1 of the title, and fill in the buyer's name, the price and the sale date.
- If the car is less than 9 years old, you also fill out the North Dakota DOT's damage disclosure form, SFN 18609.
- If you lost the title, you can get a duplicate from the North Dakota DOT for $5 using form SFN 2872.
From the North Dakota DOT. Checked October 2026.
Ohio
- Ohio law says you must take your plates off the car as soon as it is sold, so remove them before the truck leaves.
- Your signature on the back of an Ohio title has to be notarized before you hand the title to the buyer.
- If your Ohio title is electronic, you sign page 1 of form BMV 3770 instead, and that signature must be notarized too.
- If you lost your Ohio title, you can get a duplicate at any county Clerk of Courts title office. Bring a photo ID and the title fee.
From the Ohio BMV. Checked October 2026.
Oklahoma
- In Oklahoma your plate belongs to you, not the car. Service Oklahoma says to keep it when you sell.
- Service Oklahoma needs a properly signed and notarized title, so sign the back of yours in front of a notary.
- You can tell Service Oklahoma about the sale with a Notice of Transfer, Form 773. It is optional, costs $10 and can be filed online through OkCARS.
- If you lost your Oklahoma title, apply for a duplicate with Form 701-7. The fee is $11, and your signature must be notarized.
- Lost title on a car older than the last 10 model years that can't be repaired for road use? Sell it on Form 766 and file a copy within 30 days.
From Service Oklahoma. Checked October 2026.
Oregon
- The Oregon DMV suggests removing your plates when you sell, so you do not get tickets or towing charges after the sale.
- To release the car to the buyer, you sign and date either the back of the title or a bill of sale.
- Tell the Oregon DMV about the sale within 10 days on DMV2U. Include the buyer's name and address.
- If you lost your Oregon title, the title holder can apply for a replacement with Form 735-515. It costs the same as a standard title.
- If your car was declared a total loss, you must send the title to the Oregon DMV or your insurer within 30 days of that.
From the Oregon DMV. Checked October 2026.
Pennsylvania
- Take your plate off once the title is transferred, and never give it to the buyer. Return it to PennDOT unless you will move it to another car.
- Your signature on a Pennsylvania title must be notarized or verified. PennDOT suggests signing at a notary, tag service or dealer.
- PennDOT suggests getting a signed receipt from the buyer that says they got the title and the car. Keep it as proof of the sale.
- If you lost your Pennsylvania title, apply for a duplicate with Form MV-38O. There is a fee for every duplicate title.
From PennDOT. Checked October 2026.
Rhode Island
- Cancel your registration with the RI DMV when you sell, to avoid excise taxes and insurance fines. If you cancel online, you can destroy or recycle the plates.
- If your car is a 2001 or newer, sign the back of the title as the seller and write in the current mileage.
- The RI DMV says to give the buyer a signed bill of sale with the year, make, model, VIN, color, price and your address.
- For a 2000 or older car first registered to you before 2024, give the buyer a bill of sale and proof of ownership, like an old registration.
- Lost your title? Duplicates are handled only at RI DMV headquarters in Cranston, using Form TR-2/TR-9.
From the RI DMV. Checked October 2026.
South Carolina
- Your plate stays with you. Within 30 days, move it to another car or turn it in to the SCDMV.
- On the back of the title, write the odometer reading, the sale date and the selling price when you sign it over.
- Tell the SCDMV you sold the car with a Notice of Vehicle Sold (Form 416), dropped off at a branch or mailed in.
- Lost your title? You can get a $15 duplicate from the SCDMV online, by mail or at a branch.
- With a lost title, a demolisher or scrap recycler can take a car 12 model years or older that is totally inoperable and has no plate, using your signed affidavit.
From the SCDMV. Checked October 2026.
South Dakota
- Take your plates off when you sell. You get credit for the months left on them when you put them on another vehicle.
- Give the buyer the signed title within 45 days of the sale.
- File a report of sale with the SD Motor Vehicle Division when you sell. You can do it online in the Vehicle Registration and Plates portal.
- The SD Motor Vehicle Division says you should give the buyer a bill of sale along with the title.
- Lost your title? Get a duplicate from your county treasurer with Form 1002 and a $10 fee.
From the SD Motor Vehicle Division. Checked October 2026.
Tennessee
- Tennessee plates follow you, not the car. Your county clerk can move them to another vehicle for a $1 fee.
- If the plate leaves with the car, you can cancel it with the Tennessee Department of Revenue's plate cancellation form, sent by email.
- The buyer needs your title properly signed over, plus an odometer disclosure statement if one applies, to title the car.
- Lost your title? Your county clerk can issue a duplicate in person or by mail for $14, plus any county fees.
From the Tennessee Department of Revenue. Checked October 2026.
Texas
- Take your plates and registration sticker off. You can move the plates to a car you buy, keep them, or deface them so no one can use them.
- Sign the title over with the sale date and odometer reading, and give the buyer a signed Form 130-U that shows the sales price.
- You can file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with the Texas DMV online within 30 days, so the buyer's tolls and tickets are not charged to you.
- Lost your title? Apply for a certified copy with Form VTR-34. It costs $2 by mail or $5.45 at a Texas DMV regional service center.
- If your car is at least 13 years old and has not been registered in 7 years, a used auto parts recycler can buy it for scrap without the title.
From the Texas DMV. Checked October 2026.
Utah
- Take your plate off unless you are selling it with the car. If you leave it on, you may be liable for parking or traffic tickets.
- No notary is needed to sign off on a Utah title.
- Report the car as sold to the Utah DMV online through MVP, by mail, or by phone.
- Write up a bill of sale. The Utah DMV says it is your proof that the title was legally transferred.
- Lost your title? If the buyer will title the car in Utah, sign both parts of Form TC-123, the duplicate title application, and give it to them instead.
From the Utah DMV. Checked October 2026.
Vermont
- Take your plates off before the car leaves. The Vermont DMV does not require you to return them.
- Every owner listed on the title must sign it over to the buyer.
- If your car is a 2009 or older and registered in your name, you may not need a title. Give the buyer your registration and a signed bill of sale.
- Lost your title? You can ask the Vermont DMV for a replacement online, by mail or at an office.
- If your car has been salvaged, rebuilt or totaled, you must tell the buyer before the sale, out loud and in writing on the bill of sale.
From the Vermont DMV. Checked October 2026.
Virginia
- Take your plates off before the car leaves. If you won't put them on another car, turn them in or inactivate them with the Virginia DMV.
- Sign the title as the seller in Section A. Every owner listed on the title must sign.
- You must tell the Virginia DMV that you sold the car. You can do it online, by phone or at a customer service center.
- Lost the title? If you own the car, you can order a replacement title online from the Virginia DMV, and it is mailed to you.
- With no title, a licensed demolisher can scrap a car at least 10 years older than the current model year only after it runs a DMV record search.
From the Virginia DMV. Checked October 2026.
Washington
- Take your plates off before the car leaves. The buyer can't use them, but you can move them to another car of the same kind or turn them in.
- Sign the title to release your interest. A signature on the title itself does not need a notary.
- File a Report of Sale with the Washington DOL within 5 days, even if the car goes to a wrecking yard. You can file it online.
- You and the buyer both sign a bill of sale, unless the sale price and date are written on the title.
- Lost your title? The Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest can stand in for it, but it must be notarized or signed in front of a vehicle licensing agent.
From the Washington DOL. Checked October 2026.
Wisconsin
- Take your plates off before the car leaves. Do not return them to the Wisconsin DMV. Cut them up if you won't use them on another car.
- Sign and date the title as the seller. If the owners' names are joined by "and," every owner must sign.
- If you sell the car to another person rather than a business, report the sale to the Wisconsin DMV online within 30 days.
- If you sell the car as junk, write the word "Junk" across the title before you give it to the buyer or salvage dealer.
- Lost your title? The Wisconsin DMV says you don't need a replacement title to junk the car.
From the Wisconsin DMV. Checked October 2026.
Not listed yet: Alaska, Hawaii, Montana, West Virginia, Wyoming. Check with that state's motor vehicle agency.
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