Maryland Bill of Sale Requirements & Free Form

Maryland requirements

• Maryland vehicle titles are transferred through the Motor Vehicle Administration, and vehicle excise tax is assessed when the title is issued.
• Under Transportation Article section 13-809, if the total purchase price is 500 dollars or more below the retail value shown in a national used car value publication adopted by the state, the price must be verified by a notarized bill of sale.
• For sales at or near book value, a bill of sale is recommended as proof of price and date but is not the trigger for notarization.
• The MVA publishes its own bill of sale form for the notarized price verification case; our template is a general purpose record, so ask the MVA which form it will accept if your sale price is well below book value.
• Complete the odometer disclosure with the title assignment for vehicles that still require it; the MVA can confirm whether your vehicle is exempt.
• Maryland does not publish a single statewide deadline in section 13-809 for private title transfer, so confirm timing, insurance, and inspection requirements with the MVA before the sale.

Frequently asked questions

When does Maryland require a notarized bill of sale?

When the purchase price is 500 dollars or more below the vehicle's retail value in the national price guide Maryland uses, the MVA needs the price verified by a notarized bill of sale before calculating excise tax on the lower amount.

Where do I transfer a car title in Maryland?

At the Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration. Bring the signed over title with odometer disclosure where required, and a bill of sale if you need to document the price, notarized if the price is well below book value.

Official sources

• https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gtr&section=13-809&enactments=false