Is a Vehicle Bill of Sale Required in South Dakota?
During the purchase of a motor vehicle, the buyer and seller make a deal and record it with a bill of sale. A motor vehicle bill of sale is a legal form that can become proof of ownership in case of disputes and confirmation for registering a vehicle. However, it is possible to register a vehicle without this paper in some states. South Dakota is one of the states that does not require a bill of sale to register a motor vehicle, but there are some exceptions when a new owner must provide it.
So, you can register a new motor vehicle with a title where all details about a vehicle are written in South Dakota. However, if you buy a vehicle outside of the state, you need to prove a purchase with a vehicle bill of sale to register it. For this purpose, you should include data about the buyer and seller in the form, the vehicle's characteristics, and information about the purchase. Both parties must sign the form to make it legally binding, but it is not required to notarize it.
In any case, you should provide documents requested by the state laws within 45 days after purchase to avoid a fine for delay in registering a motor vehicle. Make sure that you collect documents according to the requirements of the state. Moreover, consider an exception described above and that you must provide proof of purchase, such as a bill of sale, if you transfer the vehicle outside the South Dakota territory.