No. A bill of sale does not have to be notarized in Montana. The state has never required notarization on its official bill of sale form, and as of October 1, 2025, even the seller’s signature on a vehicle certificate of title no longer needs to be acknowledged before a notary. For private sales of personal property in Montana, you can sign, hand over the keys, and move on.
What Changed in October 2025
For years, Montana law required the seller’s signature on a vehicle certificate of title to be acknowledged before a notary public, county treasurer, deputy county treasurer, elected official authorized to acknowledge signatures, or an authorized agent of the department. The 69th Legislature passed HB 165, which struck that requirement from Montana Code 61-3-220(2). The entire subsection is gone.1Montana Secretary of State. Notarizing Montana Motor Vehicle Titles Sellers now sign the title without any notarization step.
If someone tells you that you still need to find a notary for a Montana vehicle sale, they’re working from the old rule.
What the Bill of Sale Itself Requires
Montana’s official bill of sale is Form MV24, available through the Montana Department of Justice and county treasurer offices. The form has an optional notary block, but it has never been required. Instead, the form carries a signed certification under penalty of law, referencing Montana Code 45-7-203, that functions as the legal safeguard against fraud.2Granite County, Montana. Montana Bill of Sale – Form MV24 Signing a false bill of sale is a crime; that’s the backstop, not a notary stamp.
Form MV24 collects the full legal names, addresses, and identification numbers of both buyer and seller (driver’s license, FEIN, tribal ID, or corporate ID), the purchase price, and the date of sale. For vehicles, it also records year, make, model, body style, VIN, and license plate number, and asks whether the vehicle has a salvage title or is being sold for parts only.2Granite County, Montana. Montana Bill of Sale – Form MV24
The form is also the tool to use when a seller is the legal owner but doesn’t have the paper title in hand. Form MV24 includes a section where the seller certifies ownership and authorizes transfer to the buyer under Montana Code 61-3-220.2Granite County, Montana. Montana Bill of Sale – Form MV24
When Montana Doesn’t Require a Bill of Sale At All
For everyday personal property like furniture or electronics, Montana doesn’t require a bill of sale in the first place, let alone a notarized one. The main scenario where the form becomes necessary is a sale of a vehicle, vessel, snowmobile, or off-highway vehicle going through the Montana Motor Vehicle Division.
When Voluntary Notarization Is Worth It
Not required doesn’t mean never useful. For high-value personal property sales where no title document exists, think expensive equipment, livestock, or jewelry, a notarized bill of sale creates a stronger paper trail. A notary verifies the identity of both signers and confirms they’re signing willingly, which makes the document harder to challenge later if a dispute arises.
Montana notaries can charge up to $10 per notarial act, so the cost is small for the added protection.3Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 1-5-626 – Fees for Notarial Acts – Collection of Fees Montana also permits remote online notarization, where the notary and signer connect by live audio-video. The session must be recorded electronically, and the notary must tell everyone the recording is taking place. That option is useful when buyer and seller aren’t in the same place.
Finishing the Title Transfer After the Sale
Notarization aside, the buyer still has to move the title into their name. Montana gives new owners a 40-day grace period from the purchase date to apply for a certificate of title and pay registration fees at the County Treasurer’s office in their county of residence.4Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 61-3-317 – New Registration Required for Transferred Motor Vehicle – Grace Period – Penalty – Display of Proof of Purchase Miss that deadline and a penalty kicks in.
Bring these to the County Treasurer:
- The original certificate of title signed by the seller
- The completed bill of sale (Form MV24)
- Payment for title, registration fees, and any applicable local option taxes
One point of confusion worth clearing up: you do not need to show proof of insurance to title or register a vehicle in Montana. The Montana Motor Vehicle Division has confirmed that directly.5Montana Motor Vehicle Division. Frequently Asked Questions Montana law does require you to carry proof of insurance whenever you drive, so you still need an active policy before you take the vehicle on the road.
During the 40-day grace period, you can legally drive the vehicle on Montana roads if you have a temporary registration permit displayed, under Montana Code 61-3-224.4Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 61-3-317 – New Registration Required for Transferred Motor Vehicle – Grace Period – Penalty – Display of Proof of Purchase