A North Carolina Bill of Sale is a legal document used by a North Carolina resident to transfer a piece of their property to another person. A Bill of Sale can be used to sell personal property like cars, boats, guns, horses, and other items of value.
On a Bill of Sale in North Carolina, the individual selling the property is referred to as the seller, and the person buying that property is the buyer. Once the seller gets their money and the buyer gets their new property, the bill of sale provides legal proof that the transaction took place (in the event of a dispute).
Types of Bill of Sale
North Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale Requirements
North Carolina requires a car bill of sale to register a vehicle that was purchased from a dealership — it is not required for a private sale. Also, North Carolina requires all motor vehicle dealers, factory branches, distributors, and wholesalers to keep a record of vehicles traded, manufactured, sold, received, or junk for at least four years. These parties must keep records including disclosures, the contact information of the buyer and seller, the description of the car, and the bill of sale, in case they never need to be inspected by the state.
The Importance of Having One
Even though North Carolina does not require a bill of sale for all vehicle-related transactions, creating and maintaining one does have its advantages. This document, which includes pertinent information, like buyer and seller contact information, the date and location of the purchase, and the selling price, shows proof of ownership. A bill of sale provides a buyer with a receipt for the vehicle purchase. Also, if the buyer fails to get the vehicle properly registered and titled or gets into an accident before these are completed, it protects the seller from liability.
Information to Include in a North Carolina Vehicle Bill of Sale
Though a bill of sale is required for some transactions in North Carolina, the state’s DMV doesn’t provide a form for buyers and sellers. Instead, buyers and sellers can create their own by including the following information:
- Buyer’s and seller’s names, addresses, phone numbers, and signatures
- When the final payment was made
- A description of the vehicle, including the make, model, year, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)
- Date and location of the vehicle sale
- Vehicle sale price
- Odometer reading
Language Requirements
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles accepts bills
of sale in English and Spanish. Also, the DMV offers many of its forms in Spanish.
Number of Copies
The buyer and seller should keep copies of the document as proof that the transaction was completed and ownership was transferred.
Notarization
North Carolina does not require a bill of sale to be notarized, though notarization gives the document greater integrity.
Vehicle Registration in North Carolina
Residents new to North Carolina must show a bill of sale to register a vehicle in the state. To register, individuals must visit one of locations of the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles.
To register a vehicle that was purchased from an individual, the following is required:
- A completed, notarized Title Application (MVR-1)
- A notarized vehicle title
- Lien release, if applicable
- A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (MVR-180), if the vehicle is fewer than 10 years old
- Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181)
- A valid North Carolina driver’s license number
To register a vehicle that was purchased from a dealer, the following is required:
- A bill of sale, which lists the purchase price
- A notarized vehicle title
- A completed, notarized Title Application (MVR-1)
- A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (MVR-180), if the vehicle is fewer than 10 years old
- Damage Disclosure Statement (MVR-181)
To a register out-of-state vehicles with titles held by recorded lienholders, the following is required:
- Current out-of-state registration card
- Odometer reading, if the vehicle is fewer than 10 years old
- A completed, notarized Title Application (MVR-1)
Title and Registration Fees in North Carolina
North Carolina charges the following fees to register and title vehicles:
- Certificate of Title Plate Fee – $52
- Private Passenger Vehicles Plate Fee – $52
- Private Truck Under 4,000 lbs. – $36
In addition to regular license plate fees, Wake, Durham, and Orange counties charge these additional vehicle registration fees:
- Regional Transit Authority Registration Tax – $8
- County Vehicle Registration Tax – $7
In Randolph County, drivers pay a $1 Piedmont Authority for Regional Transportation Tax in addition to regular license plate fees.
A complete list of fees is available on the North Carolina Department of Transportation Division of Motor Vehicles’ website.
North Carolina Boat Bill of Sale Requirements
To register a non-titled, used vessel from an individual, the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission requires a notarized boat bill of sale. Individuals can create and submit their own bills of sale, as long as they include this information:
- Vessel registration number
- Make, model, and year of vessel
- NC title number
- Hull identification number
- Sale date and price of the vessel
- Name and signature of the seller
- Name of the buyer
Also, the seller’s signature on the bill of sale must be notarized.
Any person titling a vessel must submit a completed NC Vessel Registration and Title Application. Used vehicles are registered for one to three years. Any 14-foot vessel and larger or personal watercraft, such as a jet ski, must be titled.
North Carolina Gun Bill of Sale Requirements
Under North Carolina law, it is unlawful for any person or business to sell, give away, transfer, purchase, or receive any pistol, unless the purchaser or receiver has first obtained a license or permit to receive such a pistol by the sheriff of the county where the purchaser or receiver resides or possesses a valid North Carolina issued concealed carry permit.
The permit must be obtained prior to the transfer of a pistol between individuals or through a commercial transaction, such as a sporting goods store. Concealed carry weapons are only issued to residents who are 21 or older and have completed a firearms training course. Those who do not have a concealed carry permit must obtain a permit to purchase a firearm. The permit can be obtained via the applicant’s local sheriff’s office.
In North Carolina, individual permit laws vary among the counties. Sheriff’s offices in each county have discretionary powers when it comes to issuing gun permits. Waiting periods may vary and some sheriffs may require they speak to witnesses of gun permit applicants.
Though there is no state law requiring a firearm bill of sale, it is helpful to create one and keep it as a receipt. A bill of sale is considered a legal document that shows proof of firearm ownership. A bill of sale protects the buyer and seller if an incident occurs during the firearm change of ownership process.
The firearm bill of sale should contain:
- Buyer’s and Seller’s full names, addresses, and signatures
- Date of transfer
- Sale price
- Description, including the make, model, type, and caliber
- Serial number or other number identifying on the firearm
- Location of the transfer
- License or permit number issued by the sheriff or an NC concealed carry permit
Disclosures, as well as any mechanical defects, should be included in a bill of sale. It is recommended that buyers and sellers maintain copies of each other’s identification, though this is not required.
Free North Carolina Bill of Sale Templates
