Bill of Sale Question

[Burnspot]

I've done a bit of searching around, but after finding answers going both ways, thought I'd ask here since there's a bit of bike buying/selling going on between folks. On a motorcycle bill of sale between individuals, does the bill of sale need to be notarized or is a notarized title enough? I've never sold a vehicle to another individual before, so thought I'd check. NC DMV just mentions a notarized title. Some of the very few free bill of sales forms I've seen online have a spot for a notary signature/stamp...seems like a hassle to get done if doing a deal after notary business hours, trying to get the buyer down the road.

The title I know about...notary just needs to see me sign it and I can mail/hand it off the day after sale.

 

[Patriot]

different states have different requirements for registration

here in Louisiana, yes, it's mandatory for registering here

I would have it done just to be sure...if your state does not require it, but mine does, you would have to do it last minute for me to purchase the bike

now some notarys here (to get the fee) will stamp a paper without seeing the signature done in front of them

I've bought a car or bike from out of town and just brought the bill of sale to a local notary, paid the fee, and they stamped it

the paper was already signed by the seller and me the buyer

I've also sold a vehicle locally to someone here, and we went to a private registration company and they registered and transferred the title from me to them for a fee the buyer paid for.

If it's me, I just send the bill of sale and notarized title to buyer and let them worry about it unless, like many, you want it transferred in your presence so you are no longer liable for problems down the road

hope this helps,

Mike in Nawlins'

 

[SLK50]

Well, you've got two different documents. Notarized title usually a given to transfer ownership. Bill of sale neccessary for tax purposes, if required by your state. Notarized could indicate paid price is accurate as both of your names will be on it.

 

[Solo]

Bills of sale do not need to be notarized in NC. In fact, a bill of sale isn't even necessary. The title, which is notarized, contains all of the information necessary, as it transfers the title, includes mileage, etc. If you do want to provide, or get, a bill of sale, it acts as a contract against the party that signs it, or both if both sign it, but contracts do not need to be notarized. The original document with the signatures is admissable as evidence in a court if need be. Just make sure that title is properly filled out and notarized.

 

[Burnspot]

Bills of sale do not need to be notarized in NC. In fact, a bill of sale isn't even necessary. The title, which is notarized, contains all of the information necessary, as it transfers the title, includes mileage, etc. If you do want to provide, or get, a bill of sale, it acts as a contract against the party that signs it, or both if both sign it, but contracts do not need to be notarized. The original document with the signatures is admissable as evidence in a court if need be. Just make sure that title is properly filled out and notarized.

Thanks for that NC-specific tidbit! That jives with what I'm reading from the Googly machine.

 

[Lowcountry Joe]

Why not call the local dmv office and ask them? Takes 5 minutes to find out the answer from the horses mouth....or maybe 10 minutes....

 

[doctorJ]

I've done several vehicle sales here in NC. I use a legal program on the computer to do a bill of sale so buyer and seller have a copy and both sign. It doesn't have to be notorized since it is an agreement for records and or taxes etc. I prefer when possible to do transaction during banking hours and just both meet at or go to bank to get title notorized when signed when properly filled out (this is important). I also prefer a bank check instead of personal check but have made exceptions in some situations but does open one up to being burned or cause a hassle. A valid buyer shouldn't have an objection to this as they would/should do a sale like this themselves.

doctorj

 

[Burnspot]

Why not call the local dmv office and ask them? Takes 5 minutes to find out the answer from the horses mouth....or maybe 10 minutes....

As I'd mentioned, the DMV just wants a notarized title...I was just wanting to make sure my bases were covered with respect to other legal things.

Thanks all for the info...

 

[Patriot]

I've done several vehicle sales here in NC. I use a legal program on the computer to do a bill of sale so buyer and seller have a copy and both sign. It doesn't have to be notorized since it is an agreement for records and or taxes etc. I prefer when possible to do transaction during banking hours and just both meet at or go to bank to get title notorized when signed when properly filled out (this is important). I also prefer a bank check instead of personal check but have made exceptions in some situations but does open one up to being burned or cause a hassle. A valid buyer shouldn't have an objection to this as they would/should do a sale like this themselves.
doctorj

my brother is a notary and a close friend is a Collections Dept Manager VP at a big bank

both told me if you do take a personal check as payment from somebody...have them make it out to Cash

it's then federal offense if the check is knowingly bad and bounces...checks to Cash are posted first every day

 

[Burnspot]

I'd be leery of taking any sort of check unless I was sitting at the bank watching them draw it up....there's simply too many schemes afoot these days.