What a notary does in a title transfer
A notary is a person licensed by your state to witness signatures and verify that the person signing is who they say they are. In a title transfer, the notary's job is to watch you and the other party sign the title document, check your identification, and then stamp and sign the document themselves. This creates an official record that the signatures are real.
Whether you need a notary depends on your state and the type of transfer. Some states require a notary signature on every title transfer. Others require one only for certain situations — like when you're transferring a title to a family member, or when you're buying from a private seller rather than a dealer. A few states don't require a notary at all. Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website will tell you whether notarization is required for your specific transfer.
The notary does not decide whether the transfer is legal or whether you own the car. They only confirm that the person in front of them is the person named on the title and that they signed it willingly.
Key Takeaways
- Notarization requirements vary by state and by the type of transfer, so check your state DMV website before you assume you need one.
- A notary watches you sign, checks your ID, and stamps the document — they do not verify ownership or the legality of the sale.
- You can find notaries at banks, UPS stores, law offices, and some county clerk offices; many charge between $5 and $20 per signature.
- Both the seller and buyer usually need to sign in front of the notary, so you may need to coordinate a time when you can both be present.
- If notarization is required in your state and you skip it, the DMV will reject your title transfer and you'll have to start over.
Where to find a notary in your area
Banks are one of the easiest places to find a notary. Most banks offer notary services to customers for free or for a small fee, usually $5 to $10 per signature. Call ahead to confirm they have a notary available and ask whether you need an appointment. Some banks only notarize for their own customers, so mention where you bank.
UPS stores, FedEx offices, and other shipping centers often have notaries on staff. The cost is typically $10 to $20 per signature. You can search for notaries near you on the UPS website or call ahead to confirm availability. Law offices and title companies also notarize documents, though they may charge more — sometimes $25 or higher — and may require you to be a client.
Your county clerk's office may offer notary services, sometimes for free or for a small filing fee. Call your local courthouse or county government office to ask. Some states also have online notary services, where a notary verifies your identity over video and notarizes a digital document. These are faster but may cost more, and not all states allow them for title transfers yet.
What to bring when you visit the notary
Bring the title document itself — the official certificate of title from your state, not a bill of sale or other paperwork. Bring a government-issued photo ID, such as a driver's license or passport. The notary will not notarize the document if you cannot show ID that matches the name on the title.
If you're buying the car, bring the seller's ID as well, because the seller must also sign in front of the notary. If the seller cannot be present, some states allow a power of attorney document, but this is rare for title transfers and varies by state. Ask your DMV before the appointment whether a power of attorney is an option in your situation.
Bring the title in its original form — not a photocopy. Some notaries will notarize a copy, but the DMV will reject it. If you've lost the title, you'll need to request a duplicate from your state DMV before you can have it notarized.
How notarization fits into the full transfer timeline
Notarization is one step in the transfer process, not the whole process. The typical order is: you and the seller agree on a price, you sign a bill of sale (which may or may not need to be notarized depending on your state), you both sign the title in front of a notary, and then you submit the notarized title to your state DMV along with other documents like proof of insurance and payment of transfer fees.
The notary appointment itself takes 10 to 15 minutes. But you need to schedule it after you've agreed on the sale and have the title in hand, and before you submit anything to the DMV. If you're buying from a dealer, the dealer often handles the notarization for you or tells you where to go. If you're buying from a private seller, you and the seller need to coordinate the time and place.
After the notary stamps the title, you typically have a window of time — often 10 days to a few weeks, depending on your state — to submit it to the DMV. Check your state's rules so you don't miss the important date.
What happens if notarization is required but you skip it
If your state requires a notary signature and you submit an unnotarized title to the DMV, the DMV will reject it. You'll receive a letter explaining what's missing, and you'll have to start the process over: get the title back from the DMV, have it notarized, and resubmit it. This adds weeks to the transfer and delays your ability to register the car in your name.
Some people try to notarize the title after they've already submitted it to the DMV, but this doesn't work — the DMV needs the notarized version before they process anything. The safest approach is to confirm your state's requirements before you sign anything, and to have the title notarized before you mail or deliver it to the DMV.
States with different notarization rules
A handful of states don't require notarization for any title transfer. These include some states that use electronic titles or have streamlined private-sale processes. However, most states require it in at least some situations.
Some states require notarization only for transfers between private parties, not for transfers from a dealer. Others require it only for certain vehicle types, like motorcycles or trailers. A few states allow the seller to notarize the title, but require the buyer to have it notarized again when they register the car. Your state DMV website will have a section on title transfer requirements that spells out the exact rules for your situation.
If you're transferring a title across state lines — for example, you bought a car in one state and are registering it in another — you may need to follow the rules of both states. The state where you're registering the car is usually the one that matters most, but contact both DMVs to be sure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I notarize the title myself if I'm a notary?
No. A notary cannot notarize their own documents. You need an independent notary who is not a party to the transaction. This rule exists to prevent fraud and to may support that someone neutral has verified the signatures.
What if the seller lives far away and we can't meet in person?
Some states allow remote notarization over video, where the notary verifies your identity and watches you sign electronically. However, not all states permit this for title transfers yet, and the seller would also need to notarize separately. Contact your state DMV to ask whether remote notarization is an option, and whether both parties need to be notarized together or separately.
Do I need to notarize a bill of sale, or just the title?
It depends on your state. Some states require notarization of the bill of sale, some require it only on the title, and some require both. Your state DMV website will list what documents need to be notarized. When in doubt, ask the notary — they know the rules for your state.
What if I already signed the title before getting it notarized?
You can still have it notarized. The notary will watch you sign it again in front of them, or in some cases will notarize your existing signature if you confirm in front of them that it's yours. Ask the notary when you call whether they can notarize a signature that's already on the document.
How much does notarization usually cost?
Most notaries charge between $5 and $20 per signature. Banks often charge less or nothing for customers. UPS stores and shipping centers typically charge $10 to $20. Law offices and title companies may charge $25 or more. Call ahead to ask about the fee before you go in.