Where do I sign the title as the seller?
In the seller or transfer section, usually on the back of the title or at the bottom of the front. It has a line for your signature and printed name, the buyer's name and address, the sale date, the price and the odometer reading. Layouts differ by state, but the parts are the same.
Filling out the seller section
- Find the assignment or transfer section, usually on the back of the title.
- Print your name exactly as it appears on the front.
- Sign on the seller signature line, in ink.
- Enter the buyer's name and address.
- Write the odometer reading without tenths, and check the box if the mileage is not accurate.
- Add the sale date and price if your title asks for them.
Mistakes that cause problems
- Signing on the buyer's line or the lienholder line
- Using white-out or crossing out a mistake (many states then require a duplicate title)
- Signing before you're paid
- Leaving the buyer's name blank, which is called an open title and is illegal in many states
- Forgetting the odometer reading
Which states require a notarized title signature?
Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Wyoming require the seller's signature on the title to be notarized. Alabama, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Texas, Utah and Washington confirm on their official pages that it isn't required, and in Arizona it depends on when the title was printed. For other states, look at the seller section of your title: if it has a notary block, have a notary witness your signature.
| State | Notarized signature | Sources |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Not required | Alabama sources |
| Arizona | On titles printed from 1992 to April 2020, the seller's signature must be notarized or witnessed by an MVD agent. Titles printed since April 2020 have no notary section. | Arizona sources |
| Delaware | Not required | Delaware sources |
| Florida | Not required | Florida sources |
| Hawaii | Not required | Hawaii sources |
| Illinois | Not required | Illinois sources |
| Kansas | Not required | Kansas sources |
| Kentucky | Required | Kentucky sources |
| Louisiana | Required | Louisiana sources |
| Missouri | Not required | Missouri sources |
| Montana | Not required | Montana sources |
| North Carolina | Required | North Carolina sources |
| Ohio | Required | Ohio sources |
| Oklahoma | Required | Oklahoma sources |
| Pennsylvania | Required | Pennsylvania sources |
| Texas | Not required | Texas sources |
| Utah | Not required | Utah sources |
| Washington | Not required | Washington sources |
| Wyoming | Required | Wyoming sources |
All 19 states
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Alabama sources
- Notarized signature:
- On titles printed from 1992 to April 2020, the seller's signature must be notarized or witnessed by an MVD agent. Titles printed since April 2020 have no notary section.
- Sources:
- Arizona sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Delaware sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Florida sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Hawaii sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Illinois sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Kansas sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- Kentucky sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- Louisiana sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Missouri sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Montana sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- North Carolina sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- Ohio sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- Oklahoma sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- Pennsylvania sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Texas sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Utah sources
- Notarized signature:
- Not required
- Sources:
- Washington sources
- Notarized signature:
- Required
- Sources:
- Wyoming sources
Two owners, notaries and liens
If two names are joined by AND, both owners usually need to sign. If they're joined by OR, either one can sign in most states. Some states require the seller's signature to be notarized, including Kentucky, Louisiana, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Wyoming. If a lien is listed, you'll need a lien release or a buyer who pays off the loan. Each of our state pages links to your DMV.
No obligation.
Can I give the buyer a signed title with their name left blank?
Don't. A title signed by the seller with the buyer's name left empty is often called an open title, and many states don't allow it because the car can change hands again while it's still in your name. Fill in the buyer's name, the date and the odometer reading at the sale, then file your state's notice of sale.
Frequently asked questions
What if I made a mistake on the title?
Don't cross it out or use correction fluid, which can void the title. Contact your state's motor vehicle agency first: many states let you fix it with a statement of error or correction form, and some require a duplicate title instead. Sort it out before pickup so the sale isn't delayed.
Do both owners need to sign?
If the names are joined by AND, usually yes. If they're joined by OR, usually only one signature is needed. Check with your DMV.