How to Sell a Car Privately in Oklahoma
Selling your car yourself in Oklahoma comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Service Oklahoma, Motor Vehicle Services and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- The buyer presents a properly assigned and notarized Oklahoma certificate of title to Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator. oklahoma.gov
- For a vehicle with an electronic title, the seller completes Form 718, Bill of Sale of an Electronic Title, which takes the place of the paper title. oklahoma.gov
- Title and registration are due within 30 calendar days of purchase, and a delinquent penalty of $1.00 per day up to $100.00 starts on the 31st day. oklahoma.gov
- The buyer or seller can submit a free pre-registration within two business days of the sale. oklahoma.gov
Bill of sale
- The buyer needs a properly assigned purchase agreement or bill of sale, or Form 722-1 (Declaration of Vehicle Purchase Price), for a private purchase. oklahoma.gov
- A vehicle bought without a plate may be driven for up to five days if a dated notarized bill of sale is carried in it. oklahoma.gov
Notarization
- The title assignment must be notarized. oklahoma.gov
- The electronic-title bill of sale (Form 718) includes a notary jurat and must be notarized. oklahoma.gov
Odometer disclosure
- Form 729 (Odometer Disclosure Statement) is required only for vehicles from model year 2011 or newer that have an odometer. oklahoma.gov
- The disclosure is generally built into the title assignment; if it is not, Form 729 is used. oklahoma.gov
License plates
- Oklahoma license plates are assigned to the person, not the vehicle, so the seller keeps the plate. oklahoma.gov
- A seller who sells the vehicle is advised to keep the license plate. oklahoma.gov
Loans and liens
- Oklahoma is a title-holding state: while a lien is active the lienholder holds the (electronic) title. oklahoma.gov
- After a loan is paid off, the owner can request an electronic title release so the title is issued without a lien and the vehicle can be sold without a separate lien release. oklahoma.gov
- A buyer of a vehicle that still shows a lien needs a lien release. oklahoma.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- Oklahoma does not have a lemon law for used vehicles. oklahoma.gov
- The buyer has two business days to pre-register, ten days to have a plate and decals on the vehicle, and two months to fully register. oklahoma.gov
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a notary to sell a car in Oklahoma?
The title assignment must be notarized. The electronic-title bill of sale (Form 718) includes a notary jurat and must be notarized.
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a car in Oklahoma?
The buyer needs a properly assigned purchase agreement or bill of sale, or Form 722-1 (Declaration of Vehicle Purchase Price), for a private purchase. A vehicle bought without a plate may be driven for up to five days if a dated notarized bill of sale is carried in it.
Is an odometer disclosure required when selling a car in Oklahoma?
Form 729 (Odometer Disclosure Statement) is required only for vehicles from model year 2011 or newer that have an odometer. The disclosure is generally built into the title assignment; if it is not, Form 729 is used.
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in Oklahoma?
Oklahoma license plates are assigned to the person, not the vehicle, so the seller keeps the plate. A seller who sells the vehicle is advised to keep the license plate.
Official Oklahoma resources
- Service Oklahoma: Vehicle Titles
- Service Oklahoma: Ready, Set, Tag! (buying a used vehicle)
- Service Oklahoma: Electronic Titles
- Service Oklahoma: Fees
- Service Oklahoma: License Plates
- Form 773: Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Vehicle
- Form 718: Bill of Sale of an Electronic Title
- Oklahoma Tax Commission: Motor Vehicles rules (OAC 710:60)
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.