--- title: "New Jersey Car Title Transfer: Notary, Forms & Deadline" description: "Selling a car in New Jersey: seller notary not in the steps, buyer has 10 business days, bill of sale, plates and fees, from the agency's own pages." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/notary/car-title-transfer-new-jersey" --- Car title transfer · New Jersey # New Jersey car title transfer What the seller and buyer sign, whether a notary is needed, and what New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) says about the bill of sale, the deadline, plates and fees. ✓ New Jersey commissioned notary, no. 50244803, insured for errors and omissions. [See the credentials](/about/credentials) **Short answer.** NJ MVC's private-sale steps: the seller signs the seller's section on the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale; notarization is mentioned only for a power of attorney and a surviving-spouse affidavit. The buyer has 10 business days to title the car. Plates stay with the seller. ## At a glance Seller's signature NJ MVC's private-sale steps: the seller signs the seller's section on the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale; notarization is mentioned only for a power of attorney and a surviving-spouse affidavit. Buyer's signature The buyer signs the buyer's section on the back of the title, adds a driver's license or Entity Identification Number, and transfers the title at a motor vehicle agency; no notary step. Bill of sale The seller gives the buyer the signed title with a bill of sale. Odometer The seller gives an accurate odometer reading at the time of sale. Buyer's deadline The title is transferred within 10 working days of the sale to avoid a $25 penalty. Plates The seller removes the plates and surrenders them or moves them to another of the seller's vehicles; plates never go to the new owner. Title fee $60 for a standard vehicle; $85 with one lien, $110 with two. Agency New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) The MVC's steps for an in-state sale don't include a notary. When an out-of-state title, a lost-title affidavit or a gift statement does need one, our [vehicle title notary](/notary/vehicle-title-notary) can meet you. ## 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. - **Sign the title over.** NJ MVC's private-sale steps: the seller signs the seller's section on the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale; notarization is mentioned only for a power of attorney and a surviving-spouse affidavit. Don't sign until the buyer is ready, and write in the buyer's name and the sale date exactly. - **Write down the mileage.** The seller gives an accurate odometer reading at the time of sale. - **Give the buyer a bill of sale.** The seller gives the buyer the signed title with a bill of sale. - **Deal with the plates.** The seller removes the plates and surrenders them or moves them to another of the seller's vehicles; plates never go to the new owner. - **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. - **Watch the title get signed.** Seller: NJ MVC's private-sale steps: the seller signs the seller's section on the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale; notarization is mentioned only for a power of attorney and a surviving-spouse affidavit. Buyer: The buyer signs the buyer's section on the back of the title, adds a driver's license or Entity Identification Number, and transfers the title at a motor vehicle agency; no notary step. - **Get a bill of sale.** The seller gives the buyer the signed title with a bill of sale. - **Check the mileage entry.** The seller gives an accurate odometer reading at the time of sale. - **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 title is transferred within 10 working days of the sale to avoid a $25 penalty. - **Plates and fees.** The seller removes the plates and surrenders them or moves them to another of the seller's vehicles; plates never go to the new owner. Title fee: $60 for a standard vehicle; $85 with one lien, $110 with two. Sold on the first of a month? [See the due date for a December 1, 2026 sale](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=nj&role=buyer&date=2026-12-01). Your own checklist, marked step by step: [seller](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=nj&role=seller) · [buyer](/notary/selling-a-car-checklist-by-state?state=nj&role=buyer). ## In the agency's words **Seller** Need this notarized? [Book a notary visit in New Jersey](/notary/#order). "sign in the seller's section of the reverse side of the title" **Buyer** "sign in the buyer's section on the reverse side of the title" **Bill of sale** "give it to the buyer, along with a bill of sale including the following information" **Deadline** "must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale" **Plates** "can be transferred to another vehicle, but not to another owner." ## Official sources - [NJ MVC: Transferring Vehicle Ownership](https://www.nj.gov/mvc/vehicles/transowner.htm) (checked November 2026) - [NJ MVC: Pre-owned Vehicle Title](https://www.nj.gov/mvc/vehicles/preowntitle.htm) (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 **Does the seller's signature on a New Jersey title need a notary?** NJ MVC's private-sale steps: the seller signs the seller's section on the back of the title and gives the buyer a bill of sale; notarization is mentioned only for a power of attorney and a surviving-spouse affidavit. The agency's page: "sign in the seller's section of the reverse side of the title." **Does the buyer sign in front of a notary in New Jersey?** The buyer signs the buyer's section on the back of the title, adds a driver's license or Entity Identification Number, and transfers the title at a motor vehicle agency; no notary step. **How long does a buyer have to title a car in New Jersey?** 10 business days. The title is transferred within 10 working days of the sale to avoid a $25 penalty. **Is a bill of sale required in New Jersey?** The seller gives the buyer the signed title with a bill of sale. **Do the plates go with the car in New Jersey?** The seller removes the plates and surrenders them or moves them to another of the seller's vehicles; plates never go to the new owner. **What is the title fee in New Jersey?** $60 for a standard vehicle; $85 with one lien, $110 with two. All states: [car title notarization by state](/notary/car-title-notarization-by-state) · [Nevada](/notary/car-title-transfer-nevada) · [New York](/notary/car-title-transfer-new-york) ## Need a vehicle title notarized in New Jersey? [See vehicle title notary](/notary/vehicle-title-notary)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)