How to Sell a Car Privately in Kansas

Sources checked October 9, 2026 · Every rule below links to the official page it came from

Selling your car yourself in Kansas comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.

Transferring the title

• The seller must complete all information on the title assignment except the buyer's printed name and signature. ksrevenue.gov
• The agency says never to deliver or accept a title that is not completely and properly assigned. ksrevenue.gov
• If owner names are joined by 'and', all must sign; 'and/or' or 'or' lets either person sign; names with no connection are treated as 'and'. ksrevenue.gov
• The buyer registers through the county treasurer where the vehicle is garaged within 60 days of purchase to avoid a penalty. ksrevenue.gov

Bill of sale

• A bill of sale is not required if the sale price is entered on the vehicle title. ksrevenue.gov
• If the title assignment has no space for the purchase price, a bill of sale on page 2 of Form TR-12 is used. ksrevenue.gov
• Only antique vehicles 35 years old or older can be sold by bill of sale alone under form TR-312, which has no notary block and is signed under penalty of perjury. ksrevenue.gov

Notarization

• Most title assignments, title applications and bills of sale completed in Kansas do not need notarization, though the Division may require it in unusual circumstances. ksrevenue.gov
• Lien-related forms, such as the lienholder portion of the TR-42, must be notarized. ksrevenue.gov

License plates

• The previous owner must remove their license plate from the vehicle once the title is assigned. ksrevenue.gov
• Transferring or surrendering the plate at the county treasurer's office updates the record, so a separate notice of sale is not needed. ksrevenue.gov

Inspections and emissions

• Kansas does not have a safety or emissions inspection requirement or program. ksrevenue.gov
• A vehicle titled out of state, or bought out of state on a bill of sale, needs an MVE-1 inspection at a Kansas inspection station before it can be titled. ksrevenue.gov

Telling the state you sold the car

• A seller can file Form TR-216 (Seller's Notification of Sale) with the Division to remove their name from the vehicle record after the title is delivered. ksrevenue.gov
• Filing TR-216 unilaterally creates a presumption of sale or transfer. ksrevenue.gov
• The seller is advised to copy the front and back of the assigned title as proof of transfer. ksrevenue.gov

Taxes and fees the buyer pays

• The seller does not collect sales tax in a private sale; the buyer pays it to the County Treasurer when registering. ksrevenue.gov
• The County Treasurer calculates the tax from the price on the title, and the Director of Taxation uses fair market value if the price is unknown or unreasonable. ksrevenue.gov
• Transfers between immediate family members with Form TR-215 and bona fide gifts are not taxable. ksrevenue.gov
• The Kansas title fee is $10. ksrevenue.gov

Loans and liens

• If a lienholder is on the title, the buyer needs a lien release, which may be on the title, a notarized Form TR-150, or a letter from the lienholder. ksrevenue.gov
• Titles with a lienholder are held electronically and not physically issued until there are no liens. ksrevenue.gov

Easy-to-miss rules in this state

• A mobile or manufactured home cannot be sold on a bill of sale. ksrevenue.gov
• Trailers under 2,000 lbs operating weight may be sold on a bill of sale. ksrevenue.gov
• Proof of insurance is required when a registration is issued, and a buyer not transferring a plate needs an insurance binder with the VIN. ksrevenue.gov

Official Kansas resources

• Kansas DOR: FAQ, titling a vehicle
• Kansas DOR: Titling a used vehicle
• Kansas DOR: Bill of sale for antique vehicles (TR-312)
• Kansas DOR: Pub. KS-1526 Business taxes for motor vehicle transactions
• Kansas DOR: Vehicle forms and publications

Next steps

Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.

More state guides

• Selling a car in Kentucky
• Selling a car in Louisiana
• Selling a car in Maine
• Selling a car in Maryland
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