How to Sell a Car Privately in Montana

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

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

Transferring the title

• The seller must be the owner listed on the Certificate of Title and cannot sell a Montana vehicle unless it is titled and registered in their name first. mvdmt.gov
• All owners listed on the title must sign it, and the buyer's name and address must be written on the title. mvdmt.gov
• Title fields must be completed in blue or black ink only, and white-out or scratching out entries voids the title. mvdmt.gov
• A bill of sale does not replace a Montana title. mvdmt.gov
• The buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership at the county treasurer's office in their county of residence, and a $10 late fee applies after that. mvdmt.gov

Bill of sale

• The Bill of Sale (MV24) is optional, and it is listed as an option for a vehicle last titled in Montana, currently registered, and sold to a Montana resident. mvdmt.gov
• The seller is told to keep a written record of the sale that includes the buyer's name and address, which can be a photocopy of the reassigned title. mvdmt.gov
• A bill of sale does not replace a Montana title. mvdmt.gov

Notarization

• Montana titles no longer require notarization by individuals or businesses as of October 2, 2025, and titles printed earlier are accepted without a completed notary section. mvdmt.gov

License plates

• The plates belong to the seller and must be removed before handing over the vehicle, and the seller may be liable for parking or traffic violations after the sale if they are not removed. mvdmt.gov
• The seller can transfer plates to another vehicle they own through the County Treasurer. mvdmt.gov
• The buyer is responsible for getting a temporary registration permit until they title and register the vehicle. mvdmt.gov

Taxes and fees the buyer pays

• The buyer pays title and registration fees at the county treasurer's office. mvdmt.gov
• Light vehicle registration is $217 for vehicles 0 to 4 years old, $87 for 5 to 10 years, and $28 for 11 years or more, plus a 3% administrative fee and any county option tax. mvdmt.gov
• Montana does not have a general sales tax. revenue.mt.gov

Loans and liens

• The seller must have any lien or security interest released before selling, and gives the buyer the lien release from the lienholder along with the title. mvdmt.gov
• A lien release can be submitted on Form MV37A or on letterhead with the vehicle description and lien information. mvdmt.gov

Easy-to-miss rules in this state

• A for-sale vehicle may only be displayed or parked on property the seller has a legal interest in, or with the owner's written permission displayed in the vehicle. mvdmt.gov
• If the seller has no title, the owner of record must apply for a replacement (MV7) from the state where it was last titled, and replacements can take up to four weeks. mvdmt.gov

Official Montana resources

• Montana MVD: Tips for selling a vehicle
• Montana MVD: Buying & selling vehicles in Montana (2026 PDF)
• Montana MVD: FAQ on selling a vehicle
• Montana MVD: Light vehicle registration and fees
• Montana MVD: Vehicle title information

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 Nebraska
• Selling a car in Nevada
• Selling a car in New Hampshire
• Selling a car in New Mexico
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