Selling or junking a car in North Dakota

How do I sign over a car title in North Dakota?

The seller completes and signs Part 1 (Seller's Assignment and Warranty of Title), dated, with the buyer's name, the purchase price and the purchase date. Sign using the name shown on the title; if owners are joined by 'and', both sign, and if by 'or', either may sign. Any liens on the front of the title must be released. Odometer disclosure is required for model year 2011 and newer vehicles until they are 20 years old. For vehicles less than 9 years old, the seller completes the Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (SFN 18609). The seller must deliver the endorsed title to the buyer within 15 days.

Can I sell or junk a car without a title in North Dakota?

If no title is available, the seller can complete the Seller's Certificate and Vehicle Bill of Sale (SFN 2888), signed before a notary and stating why the title can't be provided. Filing a false certificate is a Class B misdemeanor. The buyer then uses NDDOT's untitled-vehicle process, which also needs an NMVTIS vehicle history check, a VIN photo, a notarized Vehicle Statement of Ownership (SFN 2903) and a VIN inspection (SFN 2486). For vehicles more than 40 years old, an Affidavit of Ownership (SFN 62624) may substitute if SFN 2888 and SFN 2903 can't be obtained. State law (NDCC 23.1-15-01) also counts a vehicle 'voluntarily surrendered by its owner to a permitted scrap iron processor' as an abandoned motor vehicle.

How do I get a duplicate title in North Dakota?

Use Form SFN 61982, Application for Duplicate Credentials. A duplicate title costs $5. A duplicate title with a lien removed or added costs $10 and also needs Part 3 of SFN 2475 and a notarized lien release if applicable. The current lienholder on record may also apply. The duplicate is mailed to the lienholder named, or to the owner if there is none.

What do I do with the plates after selling a car in North Dakota?

Plates stay with the seller. Under NDCC 39-04-36, the registration expires on transfer and the seller must remove the plates. The seller can move the plates and any unused registration credit to a replacement vehicle by applying within 30 days of buying it ($5 credit transfer fee). The buyer can drive the vehicle for 5 days without plates if dated proof of ownership (a dated bill of sale or title copy) is carried.

What happens to the title when a car is junked or salvaged in North Dakota?

If a vehicle is damaged over 75% of its retail value, the owner must send the title to the DOT within 10 days for a salvage certificate of title. Glass and hail damage don't count toward the 75%. Under NDCC 39-05-09.2, the DOT must suspend or revoke the title of a vehicle that has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed. North Dakota won't accept out-of-state titles branded certificate of destruction, dismantled, junk, non-rebuildable, parts only or unrepairable.

What can I do about an abandoned vehicle on my property in North Dakota?

Under NDCC 23.1-15, a vehicle left on private property without the consent of the person in control of the property is an abandoned motor vehicle, and at that person's request a commercial towing service may remove it. If the vehicle is worth $1,000 or less and its owner can't be identified from DOT records, it can go straight to a permitted scrap iron processor after its plates are removed and destroyed. Otherwise, the tower sends notice by certified mail within 10 days, and the owner has 30 days to reclaim the vehicle before it can be disposed of. Abandoning a vehicle on someone else's property is a Class A misdemeanor.

Official sources

1. ND.gov - Transportation FAQ
2. NDDOT Motor Vehicle Registration Manual (Rev. 07/25)
3. NDDOT SFN 2888 Seller's Certificate and Vehicle Bill of Sale
4. NDDOT SFN 61982 Application for Duplicate Credentials
5. NDCC Chapter 39-04 (incl. 39-04-36)
6. NDCC Chapter 39-05 Title Registration
7. NDCC Chapter 23.1-15 Abandoned Motor Vehicles

This guide summarizes public rules and is not legal advice. Rules change; confirm with North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT), Motor Vehicle Division before you sell.