Short answer. The pages we read don't say whether the seller's signature needs a notary. The buyer has 30 days to title the car. Plates stay with the seller.
At a glance
- Bill of sale
- A bill of sale on its own isn't proof of ownership for registration; the title is.
- Odometer
- Private sellers disclose the mileage even when the title marks the vehicle exempt.
- Buyer's deadline
- The buyer registers within 30 days of purchase.
- Plates
- Plates left on a sold car cost the seller the fee credit and leave the seller liable.
- Title fee
- $28.50 for a complete change of ownership.
- Agency
- Nevada DMV
If you're selling
- Find the title and clear any lien. Have the original title in hand. If a lender is listed, get the lien release or the lender's sign-off before the sale; the buyer can't title the car over an open lien.
- Write down the mileage. Private sellers disclose the mileage even when the title marks the vehicle exempt.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale. A bill of sale on its own isn't proof of ownership for registration; the title is.
- Deal with the plates. Plates left on a sold car cost the seller the fee credit and leave the seller liable.
- Cancel insurance and keep copies. Once the car is gone and the plates are off, call your insurer. Keep a photo of the signed title, the bill of sale and any sale report.
If you're buying
- Check the title against the car and the seller. The VIN on the title should match the car, and the seller's ID should match the owner's name on the title. Ask about any lien listed on it.
- Get a bill of sale. A bill of sale on its own isn't proof of ownership for registration; the title is.
- Check the mileage entry. Private sellers disclose the mileage even when the title marks the vehicle exempt.
- Insure the car before you drive it. Most states require insurance to register. Arrange it before driving away.
- Title it in your name in time. The buyer registers within 30 days of purchase.
- Plates and fees. Plates left on a sold car cost the seller the fee credit and leave the seller liable. Title fee: $28.50 for a complete change of ownership.
Sold on the first of a month? See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale.
Your own checklist, marked step by step: seller · buyer.
In the agency's words
Bill of sale
"A Bill of Sale by itself is not an acceptable proof of ownership for registration."
Deadline
"You must register within 30 days of purchase."
Plates
"If you leave them on a car you sold or traded in, you lose your fee credit and remain liable for the vehicle."
Worth knowing
Nevada's seller guide and title guide list the seller's steps (keep the plates, record the mileage, fill in a bill of sale for your records) without a notary step, but neither page says in so many words whether a notary is needed, so that cell stays blank.
Not stated on the pages we read: the seller's notary rule, the buyer's notary rule.
Official sources
- Nevada DMV: Title Transfer & Ownership Guide (checked November 2026)
- Nevada DMV: Frequently Asked Questions (checked November 2026)
- Nevada DMV: Car Seller's Guide 2024 (checked November 2026)
General information, not legal advice; we are not lawyers. Checked November 2026 against the official pages listed above. Forms, fees and deadlines change, a county office can add its own steps, and gifts, estates, liens and out-of-state titles follow other rules; the agency or an attorney can tell you how a rule applies to your sale. MCC Solutions is not affiliated with any motor vehicle agency.
Common questions
How long does a buyer have to title a car in Nevada?
30 days. The buyer registers within 30 days of purchase.
Is a bill of sale required in Nevada?
A bill of sale on its own isn't proof of ownership for registration; the title is.
Do the plates go with the car in Nevada?
Plates left on a sold car cost the seller the fee credit and leave the seller liable.
What is the title fee in Nevada?
$28.50 for a complete change of ownership.
What does a Nevada seller write for the mileage?
Private sellers disclose the mileage even when the title marks the vehicle exempt.
All states: car title notarization by state · Montana · New Jersey