West Virginia Bill of Sale — Free Template & Generator
In West Virginia the price decides whether you need a notary. The DMV says that if a vehicle is bought from an individual “at a price below 50% of the current NADA Clean Loan Book value, a notarized bill of sale signed by both parties must accompany the application.” Above that line, the 6% titling tax is charged on the declared price, and “Notarized bills of sale will not be accepted to lower this valuation.”
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- West Virginia pre-selected
How it works
- 01 West Virginia is already selected
The governing-law clause names the state; change it only if the sale happens elsewhere.
- 02 Enter the item and the parties
Vehicle, boat or general item — VIN and odometer, or HIN — plus price, payment method, seller and buyer.
- 03 Review clause by clause
The as-is terms, the seller’s title warranty and, for vehicles, the federal odometer statement.
- 04 Download, then file West Virginia’s paperwork
Word & PDF on your device; the state steps and forms are listed below, each cited to the source.
What West Virginia actually requires
West Virginia rules for a private sale
Last verified September 30, 2026- Titling tax and fees 6% of the net price; $15 title fee
Standard fees are “a $15.00 title fee, a 6% titling sales tax on vehicles with a net purchase price over $500 (or a flat $30.00 if the net price is under $500), a $10.00 lien recording fee (if applicable), and appropriate registration or transfer fees.” With a trade-in, “the 6% titling tax is calculated on the net purchase price (Purchase Price minus Trade-In Value).”
- When the bill of sale must be notarized Price below 50% of NADA Clean Loan value
“If a vehicle is purchased from an individual at a price below 50% of the current NADA Clean Loan Book value, a notarized bill of sale signed by both parties must accompany the application.” Above 50%, “The 6% titling tax will be assessed directly on the declared purchase price.” A privately bought vehicle two years old or newer is taxed on “its current NADA Clean Loan Book value, regardless of the private transaction price. Notarized bills of sale will not be accepted to lower this valuation.” The DMV defines a notarized bill of sale as a statement of sale identifying the buyer and seller, price, date of sale and the vehicle’s year, make and VIN, with both signatures signed in front of a notary.
- Documents that get rejected A second bill of sale that changes the price
“Titles submitted with an altered or conflicting purchase price accompanied by a secondary bill of sale will be rejected.” And “All notarized bills of sale or official DMV Bill of Sale forms (Form DMV-7-TR) must be accompanied by a legible copy of both the buyer’s and seller’s driver’s licenses.”
- Signatures Both seller and buyer sign the title
“Both the seller and buyer must sign the back of a West Virginia title.” Where owners are joined by “AND”, both must sign; by “OR” or “AND/OR”, either owner can sign independently. The DMV warns: “Never buy a vehicle from an individual unless the seller holds a legal title explicitly printed in their own name and can hand it to you at the exact time of sale.”
How this document fits West Virginia’s paperwork
Official form: DMV-7-TR — Bill of Sale for a Motor Vehicle, Trailer, or Boat (Notary Is Required) — revised 12/16. “Seller and buyer must complete the entire document, sign, and have it notarized.” Covers the vehicle, title number and VIN, seller and buyer, date of sale, selling price and an odometer disclosure, with a notary certification. The form adds that ownership “will not change until the buyer applies for and is issued a certificate of title.” The DMV wants it accompanied by legible copies of both parties’ driver’s licenses.
Write the true price on the bill of sale and the title, and make sure the two match — a secondary bill of sale with a different price gets the application rejected. If that price is below half the NADA Clean Loan value, both of you sign the bill of sale in front of a notary, and the buyer attaches copies of both driver’s licenses. The generated document has the fields the DMV lists for a notarized bill of sale; DMV-7-TR is the state’s own form. The buyer then pays the 6% titling tax on the net price.
FAQ
West Virginia bill of sale questions
- Does a bill of sale need to be notarized in West Virginia?
- Only when the price is low relative to book value. The DMV requires a notarized bill of sale signed by both parties when a vehicle is bought from an individual for less than 50% of the current NADA Clean Loan Book value. At or above that, the tax is simply charged on the declared price, and a notarized bill of sale will not lower it.
- How much is the West Virginia titling tax on a used car?
- 6% of the net purchase price for vehicles over $500, or a flat $30 if the net price is under $500, plus a $15 title fee and, if there is a loan, a $10 lien recording fee. A trade-in reduces the net price the 6% is charged on.
- What has to be on a West Virginia bill of sale?
- Per the DMV, a notarized bill of sale identifies the buyer and seller, the price, the date of sale and the vehicle’s year, make and VIN, with both signatures signed in front of a notary public who applies a seal and signature. Either that or the official form DMV-7-TR must come with legible copies of both driver’s licenses.
- Do both buyer and seller sign a West Virginia title?
- Yes. The DMV says both the seller and the buyer must sign the back of a West Virginia title. If the owners’ names are joined by “AND”, both owners must sign; by “OR” or “AND/OR”, either can sign alone.
- Is there tax on a gifted car in West Virginia?
- When ownership is transferred with no monetary or physical consideration, the DMV says the seller must complete an Affidavit of Transfer of Ownership Without Consideration, form DMV-5-TR.
- Is this legal advice?
- No. Free Contract Generator provides self-help templates and general information, not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Vehicle-transfer rules are set by each state and change; confirm the current rule with the agency cited and consult a licensed attorney for advice about your situation.