States That Require a Notarized Title
9 US states require some form of notarization on a vehicle title before ownership can be transferred. The other 41 states do not. Notarization rules also vary by transaction type — a few additional states require a notarized bill of sale or application instead of a notarized title.
Does My State Require Title Notarization?
Pick a state for a quick answer based on the state-by-state table below. Always confirm with the official state source before signing.
State-by-state notarization status
| State | Title notarized? | Note | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | ✓Yes | Notarization is not required for a standard private-party Arizona title transfer. | Arizona Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Kentucky | ✓Yes | Kentucky requires a notary's signature on the title for ownership transfer. | Kentucky Transportation Cabine ↗ |
| Louisiana | ✓Yes | Louisiana requires a notary's signature on the title for ownership transfer. | Louisiana Office of Motor Vehi ↗ |
| Montana | ✓Yes | Montana requires a notary's signature on the title for ownership transfer. | Montana Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Ohio | ✓Yes | Ohio requires the seller's signature on the back of the title to be notarized. The buyer's signature is also typically notarized at the County Clerk of Courts when the new title is issued. | Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles ↗ |
| Oklahoma | ✓Yes | Oklahoma requires a notary's signature on the title for ownership transfer. | Oklahoma Tax Commission ↗ |
| Pennsylvania | ✓Yes | Pennsylvania requires notarization of the seller's and buyer's signatures on the title assignment AND on Form MV-4ST. This must be done by a PennDOT-authorized notary public, messenger service, tag service, or licensed motor vehicle dealer. | Pennsylvania Department of Tra ↗ |
| West Virginia | ✓Yes | West Virginia requires a notary's signature on the title for ownership transfer. | West Virginia Division of Moto ↗ |
| Wyoming | ✓Yes | Wyoming requires a notary's signature on the title for ownership transfer. | Wyoming Department of Transpor ↗ |
| Alabama | ✗No | Alabama does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Alabama Law Enforcement Agency ↗ |
| Alaska | ✗No | Alaska does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Alaska Division of Motor Vehic ↗ |
| Arkansas | ✗No | Arkansas does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Arkansas Department of Finance ↗ |
| California | ✗No | California does not require notarization for standard private-party title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient. | California Department of Motor ↗ |
| Colorado | ✗No | Colorado does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Colorado Division of Motor Veh ↗ |
| Connecticut | ✗No | Connecticut does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Connecticut Department of Moto ↗ |
| Delaware | ✗No | Delaware does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Delaware Division of Motor Veh ↗ |
| Florida | ✗No | Florida titles include a signature line that requires either two witnesses or a notary public for transfers between private parties on Florida-issued titles. Plan to have the seller's signature witnessed or notarized at the time of sale. | Florida Department of Highway ↗ |
| Georgia | ✗No | Georgia does not require notarization for standard vehicle title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient. | Georgia Department of Revenue ↗ |
| Hawaii | ✗No | Hawaii does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Hawaii County DMV Offices ↗ |
| Idaho | ✗No | Idaho does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Idaho Transportation Departmen ↗ |
| Illinois | ✗No | Illinois does not require notarization for standard vehicle title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient. | Illinois Secretary of State ↗ |
| Indiana | ✗No | Indiana does not require notarization for a standard private-party title transfer. | Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicl ↗ |
| Iowa | ✗No | Iowa does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Iowa Motor Vehicle Division ↗ |
| Kansas | ✗No | Kansas does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Kansas Division of Vehicles ↗ |
| Maine | ✗No | Maine does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles ↗ |
| Maryland | ◆Conditional | Title itself is not notarized, but Maryland requires a notarized bill of sale or separate affidavit. | Maryland Motor Vehicle Adminis ↗ |
| Massachusetts | ✗No | Massachusetts does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Massachusetts Registry of Moto ↗ |
| Michigan | ✗No | Michigan generally does not require notarization for standard vehicle title transfers. | Michigan Secretary of State ↗ |
| Minnesota | ✗No | Minnesota does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Minnesota Driver and Vehicle S ↗ |
| Mississippi | ✗No | Mississippi does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Mississippi Department of Reve ↗ |
| Missouri | ✗No | Missouri does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Missouri Department of Revenue ↗ |
| Nebraska | ◆Conditional | Title itself is not notarized, but Nebraska requires a notarized bill of sale or separate affidavit. | Nebraska Department of Motor V ↗ |
| Nevada | ✗No | Nevada does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Nevada Department of Motor Veh ↗ |
| New Hampshire | ◆Conditional | Title itself is not notarized, but New Hampshire requires a notarized bill of sale or separate affidavit. | New Hampshire Division of Moto ↗ |
| New Jersey | ✗No | New Jersey does not require notarization for standard private-party title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient. Notarization is only required when a Power of Attorney is used. | New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commi ↗ |
| New Mexico | ✗No | New Mexico does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | New Mexico Motor Vehicle Divis ↗ |
| New York | ✗No | New York requires the seller's signature on the back of the title to be notarized for private-party transfers. This is enforced at the DMV office when the buyer applies for the new title. | New York State Department of M ↗ |
| North Carolina | ✗No | North Carolina requires both the seller's and buyer's signatures on the title to be notarized. Most license plate agencies have a notary on-site; or have signatures notarized before visiting the agency. | North Carolina Division of Mot ↗ |
| North Dakota | ✗No | North Dakota does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | North Dakota Department of Tra ↗ |
| Oregon | ✗No | Oregon does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Oregon Department of Transport ↗ |
| Rhode Island | ✗No | Rhode Island does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Rhode Island Division of Motor ↗ |
| South Carolina | ✗No | South Carolina does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | South Carolina Department of M ↗ |
| South Dakota | ✗No | South Dakota does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | South Dakota Division of Motor ↗ |
| Tennessee | ✗No | Tennessee does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Tennessee Department of Revenu ↗ |
| Texas | ✗No | Notarization is not required for standard Texas title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title and on Form 130-U is sufficient. | Texas Department of Motor Vehi ↗ |
| Utah | ✗No | Utah does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Utah Division of Motor Vehicle ↗ |
| Vermont | ✗No | Vermont does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Vermont Department of Motor Ve ↗ |
| Virginia | ✗No | Virginia does not require notarization for a standard private-party title transfer. | Virginia Department of Motor V ↗ |
| Washington | ✗No | The Vehicle Title Application may need to be notarized if it is signed outside a vehicle licensing office; when signed in person at a licensing office, the agent certifies the signature and no notary is needed. | Washington State Department of ↗ |
| Wisconsin | ✗No | Wisconsin does not require notarization on the title for a standard private-party transfer. | Wisconsin Division of Motor Ve ↗ |
What this means for you
If you are selling
Do not sign the title before you reach the notary. The notary must witness your signature in person — pre-signed titles are usually rejected. Bring a current government-issued photo ID. In states that require both signatures (Pennsylvania, Louisiana), you will need the buyer present, too.
If you are buying
Confirm the seller's title is notarized correctly before handing over payment. A missing or improperly placed notary stamp will block your title transfer at the DMV. If the title is from a different state than your own, the destination state's rules apply when you re-title — but the seller's home-state rules govern their signature.
Where to get notarized
Most banks and credit unions notarize for free for account holders. UPS Stores, AAA branches, and county clerk offices charge a small fee (typically $5–$15 per signature). Mobile notaries will travel to you for $25–$75. Remote online notarization (RON) is allowed in some states — check before scheduling.
When notarization is the only fix
If your title is missing the notary block from a previous transfer, most states allow a separate notarized affidavit (often called an "affidavit of correction" or "duplicate title application") to repair the chain of ownership. Your DMV can advise on the specific form.
Frequently asked questions
Which states require a notarized title?
As of 2026-01-01, 9 states require notarization on the vehicle title itself for ownership transfer: Arizona, Kentucky, Louisiana, Montana, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Wyoming. Other states may require notarization on a separate bill of sale or application form, not the title.
Where on the title does the notary sign?
Most states have a designated notary block on the back of the title near the seller's signature line. The notary verifies the seller's identity and signature, then stamps and signs in that block. Do not have the notary sign anywhere else on the title.
Do both buyer and seller need to be notarized?
It varies. Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and several other states require both signatures to be notarized. Ohio and Kentucky only require the seller's signature to be notarized. Always check the title itself — the notary block will indicate whose signature must be witnessed.
Can I notarize a vehicle title at a bank or UPS store?
Yes. Banks (often free for account holders), UPS Stores, AAA offices, and most county clerks offer notary services. The notary must be commissioned in the same state where the title is being signed.
What happens if I forget to notarize a title in a notary state?
The DMV will reject the title transfer. You will need to bring the buyer or seller back to a notary, re-execute the title (or in some states, complete a separate notarized affidavit of sale), and resubmit the paperwork.
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Last reviewed: 2026-01-01 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Independent resource · Not legal advice