How to Get a Vehicle Title Notarized
Updated 2026-09-19
Some states require the seller's signature on a vehicle title to be notarized, and a few require the buyer's as well. The person whose signature is being notarized must appear before the notary with photo identification and sign there. Do not sign the title in advance — a pre-signed title often has to be replaced.
Check your state's rule first
Title notarization requirements are set by each state's motor vehicle agency. Your state's agency website, or the title form itself, will say whether notarization is required and whose signature it applies to. A notary cannot tell you how to complete the title.
Do not sign early
Titles are unforgiving documents. Signing before you reach the notary usually means the notarization cannot be performed as written, and corrections, cross-outs or correction fluid can make a title unacceptable at the agency. If you make a mistake, ask the agency about a duplicate title rather than altering the original.
What to bring
- The original title, unsigned
- Current government-issued photo identification for each signer
- Any bill of sale or odometer statement the state requires
- Correct spelling of names exactly as printed on the title
When both parties are in different places
If both signatures need notarizing, they do not have to be notarized at the same time or by the same notary, unless your state says otherwise. A mobile notary can meet each party separately.
Frequently asked questions
- Does the buyer have to be there?
- Only if the buyer's signature also requires notarization. Check the title form.
- Can a notary notarize a photocopy of the title?
- No. Title transfers require the original document.
- What if the owner has died?
- The agency will have a separate process, often involving estate paperwork. Ask them before booking a notary.
Search the notary directory
Enter your ZIP code or city to see notaries who serve your area.
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Which identification documents notaries typically accept, why expired ID is a problem, and what to do if your name has changed.
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Read guideNotarization requirements vary by state and document type. A notary public generally cannot give legal advice, choose a document for you, draft a document unless separately authorized, tell you how to complete a form, or explain the legal effect of signing. If you are unsure whether your document needs notarization or which notarial act is required, ask the agency or person receiving the document, or consult a qualified legal professional.