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North Carolina Horse 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 horse bill of sale PDF that includes everything the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles looks for. Nothing you type leaves your browser.

North Carolina
Horse Bill of Sale

Seller

Buyer

Horse details

Price and terms

How to sell a horse in North Carolina

A horse bill of sale records who sold which horse to whom, with the horse's name, breed, sex, age, markings, registration and any brand or microchip, plus the price and the condition the horse is sold in. Breed registries require it to transfer registration papers, and it is the buyer's proof of ownership if the horse is ever disputed.

Seller steps

  1. Confirm you hold clear title. 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 horse 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. Hand over any registration papers, manuals, receipts or health records that go with the horse.
  5. Hand over the horse and keep your signed copy of the bill of sale for your records.

Buyer steps

  1. Check the description against the horse itself before you sign.
  2. Keep the signed bill of sale with your records; it is your proof of ownership and purchase price.
  3. Transfer any registration papers and update the microchip or brand records in your name.

Before you sign

  • Describe markings precisely; two sorrel geldings look alike on paper.
  • Attach a copy of the registration papers and the Coggins.
  • State whether the horse is sold as-is or with any soundness guarantee, and for what use.
  • Note any known vices or health conditions in the terms field.

Why a bill of sale matters for a horse

  • Breed registries (AQHA, APHA, Jockey Club and others) need it to transfer papers.
  • Proves ownership in a dispute, which happens with horses more than people expect.
  • Documents the health records and Coggins test that came with the horse.
  • An as-is clause covers soundness and temperament; without it the buyer may claim a warranty.

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

Horse Bill of Sale in other states

All states →

North Carolina horse bill of sale questions

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

No. Horses 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.

Does a horse bill of sale need to be notarized?+

Not by law, but some registries ask for a notarized transfer. Check the registry rules; the ready-to-sign pack includes a notary page.

Can I sell a horse without registration papers?+

Yes, as a grade horse. The bill of sale is then the only ownership document, so be thorough with the description.