Utah car bill of sale Do you need one? And what else does Utah require?

Do you need a separate bill of sale?

Strongly advised, and Utah says what goes on it

Utah calls it important rather than mandatory, and then lists exactly what it should carry: the buyer's name and address; the seller's name, address and signature; a complete vehicle description including the VIN; any trade-in and its allowance; the purchase price; and the net purchase price. It may be handwritten or printed — but Utah says in ink, not pencil. Form TC-843 is provided if you want it. A private seller does not collect sales tax; the buyer pays it when they register.

Source: Utah DMV, Responsibilities of Buyer and Seller; form TC-843

Does the title need a notary or witnesses?

Neither

Utah says it plainly: no notary is needed to sign off on a title. What the state does specify is what you hand over: the signed title, the current registration certificate, and the current emission certificate if applicable. If the title shows a lienholder, verify the lien has been released before you sell.

Source: Utah DMV, Responsibilities of Buyer and Seller, checked Oct 12 2026

What happens to the plates?

Off — unless you sold them with it

Unless the plates are being sold with the vehicle, remove your license plate. Utah states the reason bluntly: if you do not, you may be liable for any parking or traffic violations that occur while your plate is still on the car. The buyer will then need a temporary permit, which they can get from any Motor Vehicle office with the signed title, valid government-issued ID and the fees.

Source: Utah DMV, Responsibilities of Buyer and Seller

Do you have to tell the state you sold it?

Yes — and you can do it by phone

Utah will take it over the telephone. Report the vehicle as sold three ways: online through the Motor Vehicle Portal using Report Sold Vehicle; by post, with written notification carrying the year, make, plate or VIN and your signature, or on form TC-502 Application to Cancel Registration; or by ringing 1-800-DMV-UTAH. No deadline is published — which is not the same as no hurry. If your plate stays on the car, Utah says you may be liable for any parking or traffic violations.

Source: Utah DMV, Responsibilities of Buyer and Seller

Where does the odometer reading go?

On the title — or form TC-891

Complete the odometer disclosure section on the title. Utah also accepts form TC-891, Odometer Disclosure Statement, signed by both the owner and the buyer. Not needed where the vehicle is 20 years old or older.

Source: Utah DMV, Transfer a Utah Title; Utah Code 41-1a-902; form TC-891

The forms Utah publishes

• Report Sold Vehicle — Yours to file. Online, by post, or by phone on 1-800-DMV-UTAH. Where: Utah Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP). Revision: online service.
• Application to Cancel Registration (TC-502) — The postal route for reporting the sale, if you would rather not do it online. Where: tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-502.pdf. Revision: Rev 4/26.
• Odometer Disclosure Statement (TC-891) — An alternative to the title's odometer section. Signed by you and the buyer. Not needed on a vehicle 20 years or older. Where: tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-891.pdf. Revision: Rev 6/26.
• Bill of Sale (TC-843) — Optional but advised. In ink, not pencil. Where: tax.utah.gov/forms/current/tc-843.pdf. Revision: Rev 9/25.

Selling here, registering somewhere else

These are the rules where you are selling, not where the buyer is taking it. The title is signed under Utah’s rules, and the plate and the notice are yours to handle here.

Registering it and paying tax falls under the buyer’s own state’s rules.

How Utah compares

Counted from the same answers, for all fifty states.

Ready to handle the paperwork?

Get your free documents, set up for a Utah sale — the bill of sale, and the answers on this page as one printable sheet. Print what you need. Free, no account.

Get my free documents →