You just found the perfect truck. Maybe it’s a high-mileage Tacoma or a vintage flatbed found in a barn outside Missoula. You hand over the cash, grab the keys, and the seller hands you a crumpled piece of paper. You’re good to go, right? Not exactly. Honestly, if that paper isn't a properly executed Montana bill of sale, you might as well have just handed over your money for a very expensive lawn ornament.
Selling or buying a vehicle in Big Sky Country is unique. We don't have a state sales tax, which makes Montana a magnet for vehicle registrations, but the Department of Justice (DOJ) Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is surprisingly picky about paperwork. If you’ve lived here long enough, you know the "Montana LLC" loophole is a thing people talk about nationwide, but for those of us just trying to buy a daily driver, the basics matter more.
What is a Montana Bill of Sale anyway?
It’s a receipt. Basically.
But it's a receipt with legal teeth. A Montana bill of sale (specifically Form MV24) acts as the official record of a transfer of ownership. While the title is the ultimate "I own this" document, the bill of sale is the bridge that gets you there. It protects the seller from liability after the car leaves their driveway, and it proves to the county treasurer that the buyer didn't just steal the thing.
Don't assume any old notebook paper will work. While the state technically accepts non-form versions if they contain the right info, using the official DOJ Form MV24 is just smarter. It’s a one-page document that covers the essentials: the year, make, model, and the VIN.
Why the VIN is everything
If you mess up one digit of the Vehicle Identification Number, the whole deal is cooked. I’ve seen people lose an entire afternoon at the courthouse because a "0" looked like an "O." Double-check it. Triple-check it.
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The Notary Problem: Where Most People Trip Up
Here is the weird part about Montana law. For a long time, you had to have a bill of sale notarized if you were using it as a primary transfer document. Nowadays, the rules have softened slightly depending on the age of the vehicle and whether the title itself has a dedicated space for the purchase price.
However—and this is a big "however"—if you are dealing with a vehicle that has a "salvage" history or if the title is from out of state, get a notary. Just do it. It costs five bucks at most banks (usually free if you have an account) and it saves you a week of headaches. If the seller signs it and disappears into the Bob Marshall Wilderness, and the county clerk decides they want a notarized signature, you are stuck. You can't just forge a notary stamp. Well, you shouldn't. That’s a felony.
What needs to be on the paper?
- The Full Legal Name of Both Parties: No nicknames. If the title says "Robert," don't write "Bob."
- The Price: Montana doesn't have sales tax, so you might think the price doesn't matter. It does. The MVD uses it to track market trends and for federal reporting.
- The Date of Sale: This starts the 40-day clock. You have 40 days to register that vehicle before late fees start kicking in.
- Odometer Disclosure: For most vehicles under 20 years old, you must state the mileage. If the odometer is broken, you have to check the box that says "not actual mileage."
The "Bill of Sale Only" Trap
You see it on Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace all the time: "No title, bill of sale only."
Run.
Unless you are buying a parts car that will never, ever see a paved road again, buying a vehicle with just a Montana bill of sale and no title is a bureaucratic nightmare. To get a title for a vehicle without one, you often have to go through the bonded title process. This involves buying a surety bond (which costs money), getting a Stage 1 inspection by a peace officer, and waiting months for the state to clear the VIN.
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It’s rarely worth the "deal" you think you're getting. If a seller says they lost the title, tell them to go to the MVD website, pay the $10 or $12 for a replacement title, and call you when it arrives in the mail. If they won't do that, there is probably a lien on the vehicle or a disgruntled ex-spouse who technically owns half of it.
Different Strokes: Boats, ATVs, and Snowmobiles
Montana is a playground. Because of that, the Montana bill of sale isn't just for F-150s. If you’re buying a drift boat or a side-by-side, the process is largely the same, but the "Permanent Registration" options come into play.
For light trailers and older rigs, Montana offers a permanent plate. You pay a higher fee once, and you never have to deal with those little year stickers again. But to get that permanent plate, your bill of sale must be crystal clear about the vehicle's age. Usually, for street-legal rides, it has to be 11 years or older to qualify for the "perm" tag.
The Odometer Rules are Changing
It's worth noting that federal law changed recently regarding odometer disclosures. It used to be that once a car hit 10 years old, you didn't have to report the mileage. Now, that has been extended to 20 years for vehicles made in 2011 or later. If you’re selling a 2012 Subaru, you still have to legally swear to that mileage on your Montana bill of sale.
How to Handle a Private Sale Without Losing Your Mind
If you're the seller, the bill of sale is your "Get Out of Jail Free" card. Let’s say the buyer drives off, blows through a red light camera, or worse, abandons the car on the side of I-90. If the title hasn't been processed yet, the police are coming to your door.
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- Keep a photocopy. Seriously. Take a picture of the signed Montana bill of sale with your phone before the buyer leaves.
- File the "Notice of Sale." You can do this online through the Montana DOJ. This officially tells the state, "Hey, I don't own this thing anymore." It costs zero dollars and takes five minutes.
- Remove your plates. In Montana, the plates stay with the person, not the car. Do not let them drive away with your plates. They can get a 40-day temporary permit for about $20.
The Out-of-State Buyer Fascination
You can't talk about a Montana vehicle sale without mentioning why people from California or New York want them. Since there’s no sales tax, people set up LLCs here to buy $300,000 RVs. If you are selling to someone doing this, the Montana bill of sale will likely need to be made out to the LLC name, not the individual's name.
Is it legal? Sort of. It’s a gray area that Montana loves and other states hate. If you’re the seller, it doesn't really affect you, but make sure the buyer provides the exact LLC name as it appears on their Montana Secretary of State filing. If the names don't match, the registration will be rejected.
Nuance and Common Mistakes
A common mistake I see involves "Joint Ownership." If the original title says "John AND Jane Doe," both of them have to sign the Montana bill of sale. If it says "John OR Jane Doe," then just one will do. That "And" vs "Or" distinction is the difference between a smooth Friday afternoon and a ruined weekend.
Also, check for liens. If there is a bank listed on the title, the bill of sale is useless unless you also have a "Lien Release" document. Don't take the seller's word that they "paid it off." If the bank's name is on that paper, the bank owns the car.
Real-World Example: The "Gift" Scenario
Sometimes you aren't selling the car; you're giving it to your kid or a friend. You still need a Montana bill of sale. On the price line, you can write "Gift" or "$0." This keeps the paper trail clean. However, keep in mind that the state might still look at the "Value" of the vehicle for certain registration fees, even if the purchase price was nothing.
Actionable Steps for a Seamless Transfer
To ensure you don't end up in a spiral of paperwork at the County Treasurer's office, follow this checklist. It’s not flashy, but it works.
- Download Form MV24: Get it directly from the Montana DOJ website. It’s the gold standard.
- Verify the VIN: Physically look at the plate on the dashboard and compare it to the title and your bill of sale.
- Check the Title for Liens: If a bank is listed, demand a signed lien release.
- Bring a Notary if possible: Especially for older titles or out-of-state transfers. It removes all doubt.
- Complete the Odometer Disclosure: Essential for any vehicle newer than 20 years.
- Sellers: File your Notice of Sale online immediately. This protects you from the buyer's future tickets or accidents.
- Buyers: Get to the County Treasurer within 40 days. After that, the penalties start accruing daily, and Montana is not known for waiving those fees just because you "forgot."
The Montana bill of sale is a simple document, but it's the foundation of your ownership. Treat it with a bit of respect, get the details right, and you’ll spend more time on the road and less time waiting in a plastic chair at the DMV.