Guides / Paperwork
RV Title Transfer & Paperwork by State: Seller's Checklist (All 50 States)
The paperwork is the part of a private RV sale that scares people most — and it's genuinely the easiest part if you handle five things in order. This is the seller's checklist, plus the agency that owns the process in every state.
Honest disclaimer up front: we're sellers' advocates, not lawyers, and forms change. Use this as your map, then confirm the current forms on your state agency's official site (always a .gov domain) or with your own attorney. Searching “[your state] + [agency name below] + title transfer” gets you the official page in one step.
The five things every seller handles
- The title. Sign exactly where and how your state requires (some require a notary — see the table). Both title-holders must sign if two names are on it. If the RV is financed, the lender holds the title — coordinate payoff first (next item). Towables and motorhomes are usually titled separately from tow vehicles; a truck camper often isn't titled at all.
- Lien payoff. Call your lender for a payoff quote and their preferred process. Cleanest path: buyer and seller meet at the lender's local branch (or use escrow.com for remote deals); the loan is paid, the lender releases the lien, the title follows. Buyers are used to this — explain it up front and it's a non-issue.
- Bill of sale. Names and addresses of both parties, date, price, VIN, year/make/ model, odometer if motorized, and “sold as-is where-is.” Two copies, both signed, one for each party. Some states require their own form — check the table.
- Plates and registration. In most states the plates belong to you, not the rig — remove them at closing. Then cancel or transfer the registration and drop the insurance only after the title has changed hands.
- Notice of sale / release of liability. The most-skipped, most-important step: it tells the state you no longer own the rig, so the buyer's parking tickets, tolls, and accidents aren't yours. Several states have deadlines (California: 5 days; Washington: 5 days; Texas: 30 days). File it the day of the sale.
State-by-state: who owns the process
| State | Agency | Seller notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division | Bill of sale required in many counties; plates stay with the seller. |
| Alaska | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Notarization not required; submit notice of transfer. |
| Arizona | Motor Vehicle Division (ADOT MVD) | Title notarization required. File a Sold Notice online promptly. |
| Arkansas | DFA — Office of Motor Vehicle | Bill of sale recommended; odometer disclosure for motorized under 20 model years. |
| California | Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | File the Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability (NRL) within 5 days. |
| Colorado | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Plates stay with the seller; bill of sale recommended. |
| Connecticut | Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Bill of sale required; remove plates. |
| Delaware | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Both parties typically appear for title transfer or use a notary. |
| Florida | FLHSMV | Title transfer commonly completed at the tax collector's office; file notice of sale. |
| Georgia | Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) | Plates stay with seller; T-7 bill of sale form useful. |
| Hawaii | County Motor Vehicle Registration offices | Handled at the county level; notice of transfer required. |
| Idaho | Division of Motor Vehicles (ITD DMV) | Release of liability recommended; bill of sale for tax purposes. |
| Illinois | Secretary of State — Vehicle Services | Seller keeps plates; report the sale. |
| Indiana | Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) | Bill of sale recommended; odometer disclosure on the title. |
| Iowa | DOT — Motor Vehicle Division (via county treasurer) | Complete the Notice of Sale; damage disclosure may apply. |
| Kansas | Division of Vehicles (KDOR) | Seller must file a seller's notification of sale (TR-216). |
| Kentucky | Transportation Cabinet (county clerk offices) | Title transfer at the county clerk; notarization required. |
| Louisiana | Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) | Notarized bill of sale is standard practice. |
| Maine | Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) | Bill of sale required for newer vehicles; remove plates. |
| Maryland | Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) | Bill of sale notarized if sold below book value; return plates. |
| Massachusetts | Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) | Seller keeps plates; cancel registration/insurance after sale. |
| Michigan | Secretary of State (SOS) | Both parties ideally complete transfer together at an SOS office. |
| Minnesota | Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) | Report the sale within 10 days; keep a record of the buyer. |
| Mississippi | Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Licensing | Bill of sale recommended; plates stay with the seller. |
| Missouri | Department of Revenue — Motor Vehicle Bureau | Report of sale (Form 5049) within 30 days; notarization required. |
| Montana | Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) | Notarized title common; bill of sale recommended. |
| Nebraska | DMV — Driver and Vehicle Records | Notarized title required; seller keeps plates. |
| Nevada | Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | File the seller's notice online; smog rules don't apply to trailers. |
| New Hampshire | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Bill of sale required for pre-2000 title-exempt vehicles. |
| New Jersey | Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) | Seller keeps plates; note sale price on title for tax. |
| New Mexico | Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) | Bill of sale recommended; odometer statement on motorized. |
| New York | Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Bill of sale + odometer disclosure; seller keeps plates and surrenders or transfers them. |
| North Carolina | Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) | Title notarization required. |
| North Dakota | Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle | Bill of sale (SFN 2888) recommended. |
| Ohio | Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) | Title transfer notarized at a title office. |
| Oklahoma | Service Oklahoma (formerly DPS/Tax Commission tag agents) | Notarization required on assignments. |
| Oregon | Driver and Motor Vehicle Services (DMV) | Submit notice of sale; bill of sale recommended. |
| Pennsylvania | Department of Transportation (PennDOT) | Transfer completed with a notary or authorized agent present. |
| Rhode Island | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Bill of sale required; return plates. |
| South Carolina | Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV) | Bill of sale recommended; seller keeps plates. |
| South Dakota | Motor Vehicle Division (DOR) | Seller's report of sale protects you; notarized title. |
| Tennessee | Department of Revenue — Vehicle Services (county clerk) | Transfer at county clerk; odometer disclosure applies. |
| Texas | Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) | File the Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTN) within 30 days — it caps your liability. |
| Utah | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Bill of sale (Form TC-843) recommended; remove plates. |
| Vermont | Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Bill of sale required for exempt older vehicles. |
| Virginia | Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Note sale price and date on title; return or transfer plates. |
| Washington | Department of Licensing (DOL) | File a Report of Sale within 5 days — it's your liability shield. |
| West Virginia | Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) | Notarized title required. |
| Wisconsin | Division of Motor Vehicles (WisDOT DMV) | Complete the online sale notification; keep the MV1 record. |
| Wyoming | Department of Transportation (county clerks) | Title work at the county clerk; notarization required. |
Notes reflect common requirements as of mid-2026 and are not legal advice — always verify current forms and deadlines on your state agency's official (.gov) site.
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