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

Do you need a separate bill of sale?

Not required by statute; the county clerk may ask for one

The transfer runs on the notarized assignment on the certificate. If no assigned title can be produced, W.S. § 31-2-105(b) accepts a notarized bill of sale or other evidence of ownership that satisfies the county clerk. Separately, the county clerk may ask for a bill of sale in the format set out in W.S. § 31-2-104(h)(ii). If a bank or other financial institution holds the title on the day of sale, you must give the buyer a signed bill of sale in that format, and the title must follow within 30 days. That bill of sale is signed, not notarized, and certified under penalty of perjury. The buyer may drive on it for 60 days. If the title carries a brand, you must disclose it on WYDOT form MV-602 before the sale and get the buyer's signature. Without that signature the buyer can void the sale.

Source: Wyo. Stat. §§ 31-2-103(a)(ix), 31-2-104, 31-2-105(b), 31-2-109; WYDOT memo, Properly Executed Title / Bill of Sale (22 Sep 2023); WYDOT form MV-602

Not required. Still worth having.

The title transfers ownership — and the buyer leaves with it. A separate bill of sale gives both of you something to keep.

It records who bought and who sold, the agreed price, when the vehicle changed hands, and any other terms you write into it, such as what was included or that it was sold as-is.

It does not replace the signed title or any notice Wyoming requires. You may not need one for the state. You may still want one for your own records.

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Does the title need a notary or witnesses?

A notary

W.S. § 31-2-104(a): the owner endorses an assignment and warranty of title on the certificate, with a statement of all liens and encumbrances, and that assignment must be signed and dated by the owner BEFORE A NOTARIAL OFFICER and acknowledged in the manner provided by law — then dated and delivered to the buyer at the time the vehicle is delivered. From 1 July 2027 the statute also lets you sign electronically instead, under W.S. §§ 40-21-101 through 40-21-119.

Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-2-104(a)

What happens to the plates?

Off immediately, unless it goes to close family or a joint owner

W.S. § 31-2-214(a): upon transfer of ownership the registration of the vehicle expires and the original owner SHALL IMMEDIATELY REMOVE the license plates. You then have 60 days after acquiring another suitable vehicle to apply to move the registration number across, with credit for the unused portion of the original fees. If the new vehicle's fee is lower there is no refund of the difference. W.S. § 31-2-214(b): if the vehicle goes between joint owners, or to your spouse, child, brother, sister or parent, the county treasurer issues a new registration on application and payment of the fee, and the vehicle keeps the same plates for the rest of the registration year.

Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-2-214(a)

Do you have to tell the state you sold it?

Nothing to file — it expires by law

Wyoming does it for you: on transfer of ownership the registration expires by operation of the statute. No notice of sale exists in the title or registration chapters. Which puts the weight on the two things you do control — get the plates off immediately, and keep your notarized, dated copy of the assignment.

Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-2-214(a); Title 31 ch. 2 articles 1 and 2 reviewed

Where does the odometer reading go?

On the title, with the notarized assignment

The reading goes on the assignment you sign in front of the notarial officer, and federal law applies as it does everywhere — an owner selling their own vehicle discloses on the title. Vehicles of model year 2010 or older are exempt under federal law. Wyoming publishes no separate state odometer form, so if the title cannot carry it you are talking to the county clerk before the sale, not after.

Source: Wyo. Stat. § 31-2-104(a); 49 CFR 580.5(c)

The forms Wyoming publishes

• Application for Certificate of Title and VIN/HIN Inspection Form (MV-300A) — The buyer files this with the COUNTY CLERK — not the treasurer, and not with you. Where: dot.state.wy.us → Motor Vehicle Services. Revision: 01/20.
• Branded Title Disclosure Statement (MV-602) — You fill this in before selling a vehicle with a branded title, and the buyer signs it. The buyer keeps the white copy, you keep the yellow. Where: dot.state.wy.us → Titles, Plates and Registration → Salvage Vehicles. Revision: 01/02.
• Wyoming Affidavit of Vehicle Ownership (MV-147) — Only where ownership cannot be shown by a properly executed title. Where: dot.state.wy.us → Motor Vehicle Services. Revision: 8/12.

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 Wyoming’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 Wyoming compares

Counted from the same answers, for all fifty states.

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