Kentucky car — quick answer
In Kentucky, a car bill of sale is situational and notarization of the title transfer is required. The state form used for titled vehicles is TC 96-182. Titling and registration are handled by the Kentucky DMV.
Is a car bill of sale required in Kentucky?
Situational. A notarized bill of sale (TC 96-182) is used to apply the actual sale price for tax; otherwise tax is based on NADA value.
Seller signs the title assignment before a notary; the buyer titles at the County Clerk.
Does a Kentucky car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Required. Kentucky is a title-notary state: the seller signs the title assignment in front of a notary. The TC 96-182 must also be notarized to use the actual sale price.
Because Kentucky requires notarization for the title transfer, do not sign the title until you are in front of a notary.
What to include on a Kentucky car bill of sale
- Buyer and seller full legal names and addresses
- Year, make, model, and color of the car
- 17-character VIN
- Odometer reading at the time of sale
- Agreed price and how it was paid
- Date and both signatures
How to transfer a car in Kentucky
- 1Complete the bill of sale and title assignment.
Record the buyer, seller, price, odometer, and date. Sign the title before a notary, as Kentucky requires.
- 2Hand over the signed title.
Seller signs the title assignment before a notary; the buyer titles at the County Clerk.
- 3Register with the Kentucky DMV.
The buyer titles and registers the car, bringing Application for Title/Registration. Confirm current fees on the official page.
Odometer disclosure
Federal law requires a written odometer disclosure when title is transferred for vehicles less than 20 years old. As of 2026 that means model year 2011 and newer; model year 2010 and older are generally exempt. Record the exact mileage — never round it. See the NHTSA rule.
Official sources
Requirements change and can vary by county. Confirm with the Kentucky DMV before you sign. Not legal advice.
Kentucky Car Bill of Sale — FAQ
Is a car bill of sale required in Kentucky?
A bill of sale is situational in Kentucky. A notarized bill of sale (TC 96-182) is used to apply the actual sale price for tax; otherwise tax is based on NADA value.
Does a Kentucky car bill of sale need to be notarized?
Yes. Kentucky is a title-notary state: the seller signs the title assignment in front of a notary. The TC 96-182 must also be notarized to use the actual sale price.
How do I write a bill of sale for a car?
List the buyer and seller, describe the car (year, make, model, VIN, color), record the odometer and the price, add the date, and have both parties sign. Our generator builds all of this for you and checks for missing details.
Can I sell a car without a bill of sale?
In some states you can transfer with just the signed title, but a bill of sale is strongly recommended everywhere because it documents the price, the mileage, and the date you stopped being responsible for the car.
Is a bill of sale proof of ownership?
Generally no. For titled property like a car or boat, the title is what proves ownership. A bill of sale proves that a sale happened and records the price, date, and terms — it supports the title transfer but does not replace it. For untitled property (furniture, equipment, electronics), the signed bill of sale is usually the main proof of ownership.