Selling a car in Montana: the paperwork
| Montana seller rules at a glance | What applies |
|---|---|
| Notarized title signature | Not required |
| License plates | Seller removes and keeps them |
| Duplicate title | MV7 |
| Junk without a title | Allowed in some cases |
Title questions, duplicate titles and release of liability forms are handled by the Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Compare these rules with other states on our seller rules by state page. After the sale, cancel your insurance once the car is gone. Our after-sale checklist covers each step.
No obligation.
Where we pick up in Montana
We buy cars in Billings, Missoula, Great Falls, Bozeman and Helena, and in every other town in Montana a tow truck can reach. Pickup is free wherever the car is, from a city driveway to a farm lot, and you're paid before it's loaded.
How it works in Montana
Get your offer
Tell us the year, make, model and condition, or start with your VIN. Your cash offer is good for 7 days.
Pick a pickup time
Choose when and where. Towing is free anywhere in Montana, and pickup is usually within 24 to 48 hours.
Get paid on the spot
The driver checks the car and pays you. Then you sign the title, hand over the keys and the car is loaded.
Montana car selling questions
Do I need a title to sell my car in Montana?
For a titled vehicle, yes: the title is how ownership passes to the buyer. To replace a lost Montana title, apply to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division with MV7.
Can I junk a car without a title in Montana?
Sometimes. MCA 75-10-512 (wrecking facility records) accepts a notarized bill of sale from the former owner or seller, or a release of ownership, in place of the certificate of title for a junk vehicle. Otherwise you'll need the title or a duplicate. To replace a lost Montana title, apply to the Montana Motor Vehicle Division with MV7.
Does the title need to be notarized in Montana?
No. Montana doesn't require the seller's signature on the title to be notarized. Sign the seller section exactly as your name appears on the front of the title, and add the odometer reading and sale date where the title asks for them.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell a car in Montana?
In Montana, the plates belong to the seller, not the car. Remove them before handing over the vehicle, or you may be liable for later violations.
Is pickup really free everywhere in Montana?
Yes. Towing is free anywhere in Montana a tow truck can reach, and nothing is deducted from your offer for it.
Sources
- Montana MVD: Buying and Selling Vehicles in Montana (2026)
- Montana Code 61-3-204: Replacement certificate of title
- MCA 75-10-512, Records required of facilities (Montana Legislature, MCA 2025)
- MCA 61-3-225, Motor vehicle wrecking facility quarterly reports (title sent only if received)
Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026.