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North Carolina Firearm Bill of Sale

North Carolina does not require a bill of sale, but the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles recommends one. Fill in the form below and download a free, one-page North Carolina firearm bill of sale PDF that includes everything the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

North Carolina
Firearm Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Firearm details

Price and terms

How to sell a firearm in North Carolina

A firearm bill of sale records a private gun sale: the make, model, caliber and serial number, the price, the date, and a statement from each party that the sale is legal where it is taking place. It is the seller's proof that the firearm left their possession on a specific date.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear ownership. If a lender is on the title, get the lien release before you list it.
  2. Agree on the price and fill in the North Carolina firearm bill of sale above with the buyer. Record the serial number.
  3. Both parties sign and each keeps a copy. North Carolina does not require a notary.
  4. Check North Carolina's private-sale rules. If the state requires a background check or a licensed-dealer transfer, complete that step before the firearm changes hands.
  5. Hand over the firearm and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

  1. Check the description against the firearm itself before you sign.
  2. Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
  3. If you bought it for a business, give the bill of sale to your bookkeeper for the asset record.

Before you sign

  • Copy the serial number exactly; letters and numbers like O/0 and I/1 cause problems.
  • Check your state's private-sale rules first. Several states require a background check through a licensed dealer for private sales.
  • Record a government ID number for the buyer only if your state requires it; otherwise ID type and state is enough.
  • Both parties sign and keep a copy.

Why a bill of sale matters for a firearm

  • Proves the date the firearm changed hands if it later turns up somewhere it should not.
  • Records the serial number so the buyer can show lawful ownership.
  • Includes a buyer eligibility statement, which many sellers insist on.
  • Some states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer; the bill of sale travels with that paperwork.

Want both parties to walk away with a signed copy and a notary page ready? The $9 ready-to-sign pack adds them.

North Carolina at a glance

Bill of sale
Not required, strongly recommended
Notary
Notarization optional
Official state form
None published; any signed bill of sale is accepted
Where the buyer registers
North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (www.ncdot.gov/dmv)
License plates
Stay with seller

North Carolina requires the title assignment to be notarized, and a damage disclosure if the vehicle is under 10 years old. A bill of sale is not required but shows the price for the highway use tax. Plates stay with the seller.

Checked October 2026 against the state's own guidance. Rules change; confirm before you file.

Other North Carolina forms

Firearm Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

North Carolina firearm bill of sale questions

Is a bill of sale required to sell a firearm in North Carolina?+

North Carolina does not require a bill of sale, but the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles recommends one. North Carolina requires the title assignment to be notarized, and a damage disclosure if the vehicle is under 10 years old. A bill of sale is not required but shows the price for the highway use tax. Plates stay with the seller. North Carolina has no mandatory form, so any complete, signed bill of sale like the one generated here is accepted.

Does a North Carolina firearm bill of sale need to be notarized?+

North Carolina does not require notarization. Two signatures are enough. If you want extra certainty, the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary acknowledgment page you can use anyway.

Does the buyer need to file a firearm bill of sale in North Carolina?+

No. Firearms are not titled or registered with the state, so there is nothing to file. The signed bill of sale is the ownership record; each party keeps a copy. Check North Carolina's private-sale rules, since some states require a licensed-dealer transfer or background check.

Is a bill of sale required for a private gun sale?+

Federal law does not require one for sales between residents of the same state, but a growing number of states require private sales to go through a licensed dealer with a background check. Check your state's rules on the state page before selling.

Should a firearm bill of sale be notarized?+

It is not required anywhere, but some sellers choose to notarize it for a stronger record. The ready-to-sign pack includes a notary block.