Selling a car in North Carolina: the paperwork
| North Carolina seller rules at a glance | What applies |
|---|---|
| Notarized title signature | Required |
| License plates | Seller removes them; turn in or transfer |
| Report the sale | No separate seller notice form |
| Duplicate title | MVR-4; $25.50 |
| Junk without a title | Allowed in some cases |
Title questions, duplicate titles and release of liability forms are handled by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV). 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 North Carolina
We buy cars in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Durham, Winston-Salem and Fayetteville, and in every other town in North Carolina 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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina, 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.
Cities we serve in North Carolina
Local pickup details for these cities are below. We buy everywhere else in North Carolina too, from the suburbs to the smallest towns.
North Carolina car selling questions
Do I need a title to sell my car in North Carolina?
For a titled vehicle, yes: the title is how ownership passes to the buyer. To replace a lost North Carolina title, apply to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) with MVR-4. The fee is $25.50.
Can I junk a car without a title in North Carolina?
Sometimes. Recyclers and salvage yards can buy a vehicle at least 12 model years old without a title if the seller signs a no-lien ownership statement and shows photo ID (G.S. 20-62.1). Otherwise you'll need the title or a duplicate. To replace a lost North Carolina title, apply to the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) with MVR-4. The fee is $25.50.
Does the title need to be notarized in North Carolina?
Yes. North Carolina requires the seller's signature on the title to be notarized, so plan a stop at a bank, shipping store or mobile notary before pickup. Sign the seller section exactly as your name appears on the front of the title.
Do I keep my license plates when I sell a car in North Carolina?
In North Carolina, the plates don't go to the buyer. Surrender the plate immediately unless you transfer it to another vehicle. Return it before canceling liability insurance.
How do I tell the North Carolina DMV that I sold my car?
North Carolina has no separate seller notice form. In North Carolina, the plates don't go to the buyer. Surrender the plate immediately unless you transfer it to another vehicle. Return it before canceling liability insurance. Keep a bill of sale and a photo of the signed title as your record of the sale, in case a ticket or toll arrives later.
Is pickup really free everywhere in North Carolina?
Yes. Towing is free anywhere in North Carolina a tow truck can reach, and nothing is deducted from your offer for it.
Sources
- NCDMV: License Plates
- NCDMV: Vehicle Titles
- NCDMV: Application for Duplicate Title (MVR-4)
- N.C. Gen. Stat. 20-62.1 (NC General Assembly)
Checked against these sources on November 6, 2026.
Last updated November 6, 2026.