Selling a car privately in Kansas
Kansas gives buyers a 60-day window to title and register at their county treasurer's motor vehicle office, where they pay sales tax. The seller assigns the title (no notary needed), removes the plates once the vehicle is delivered, and should put the price and date in writing; Kansas publishes a bill of sale form (TR-312).
If you want your name off the record before the buyer gets around to registering, Kansas has a Seller's Notification of Sale (form TR-216): filing it with the Division of Vehicles creates a presumption that the sale happened on the date you report. Given the long 60-day buyer window, it is worth the small fee.
The checklist
- 1
Assign the title to the buyer (Kansas)
Complete the assignment with buyer, date, price, and odometer reading. No notary; no cross-outs.
- 2
File the Seller's Notification of Sale (TR-216)
Submit TR-216 to the Titles and Registrations Bureau to record the sale date and take your name off the vehicle record.
- 3
Give the buyer a bill of sale (TR-312)
Kansas's bill of sale form records the price the county treasurer uses for sales tax.
- 4
Remove your license plates
Take your plate off at delivery; the buyer must not drive on your registration.
- 5
Verify your title status
Locate the physical title and confirm it is in your name with no undisclosed liens. If the title is lost, request a duplicate before listing.
- 6
Complete a bill of sale
Recommended for every private sale even where not required. Record buyer/seller names, VIN, price, date, and an as-is acknowledgement. Both parties keep a copy.
- 7
Complete the odometer disclosure
Federal rules require odometer disclosure for most vehicles under 20 model years old. Usually done on the title itself; some states use a separate form.
- 8
File a release of liability / notice of sale
If your state offers it, file promptly after the sale so you are not liable for tickets or incidents after the buyer drives away.
- 9
Handle plates per your state's rules
In most states the seller removes the plates; in some, plates stay with the vehicle. Confirm your state's rule before handing over the keys.
- 10
Pay off any lien before or at transfer
If a lien remains, coordinate payoff with the lender so the buyer can receive a clear title. Do not sign over a title with an unreleased lien.
- 11
Confirm payment before signing the title
Verify cash, or use a cashier's check verified with the issuing bank, or complete the transfer inside the buyer's bank. Never release the signed title before funds are confirmed.
- 12
Keep copies of everything
Photograph or copy the signed title (both sides), bill of sale, odometer disclosure, and the buyer's ID if they consent.
- 13
Check official state instructions
Requirements change. Confirm the current process on your state DMV / motor vehicle agency website before the sale.
Generate your Kansas sale packet
ConfidentCar builds this checklist into your packet automatically, alongside condition, disclosures, photos, records, and one shareable buyer-ready link.
Start your free beta packetKansas private sale FAQ
Does a Kansas car title need to be notarized?
No. Kansas does not require notarization for a private-party title assignment. Complete the assignment cleanly; corrections can force a duplicate title.
How long does the buyer have to register in Kansas?
60 days from the purchase date, at the county treasurer's motor vehicle office where the vehicle will be garaged. Sales tax is paid there.
What is Kansas form TR-216?
The Seller's Notification of Sale. Filing it with the Division of Vehicles records the sale and removes your name from the vehicle record while the buyer's 60-day window runs.
Do I keep my plates when I sell a car in Kansas?
Yes. Remove your plate once the title is assigned and the vehicle is delivered. Kansas plates stay with the seller and can be transferred to a replacement vehicle.
Selling a special situation?
Other states
Bold states have a state-specific guide; others use the general checklist.
Last reviewed Jul 13, 2026. This is a general checklist, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your state DMV or tax office.