Notarize a Bill of Sale Online in 2026 - Fast $20 Online Notary
If you need to notarize a bill of sale online, you are probably trying to finish a sale, transfer ownership, satisfy a bank requirement, or send a notarized document to a buyer, seller, title office, or other recipient. The last thing you want is to drive around looking for a local notary when the document could be handled online.
For many eligible bill of sale documents, remote online notarization can be a simple solution. You prepare the document, verify your identity, join a live online notary session, and receive the notarized PDF by email. At Notary20, eligible online notarizations are handled for a flat $20 per document.
What Is a Bill of Sale?
A bill of sale is a written document that records the transfer of ownership from one person to another. It is often used when selling or transferring personal property, vehicles, boats, trailers, equipment, or other valuable items.
A typical bill of sale may include:
- The buyer's name
- The seller's name
- A description of the item being sold
- The sale price
- The date of sale
- The signatures of the required parties
- Any additional terms required by the buyer, seller, lender, DMV, or title office
Some bills of sale are simple private-sale documents. Others are required by a state agency, lender, bank, title office, insurance company, or registration office. That is why it is important to follow the instructions from the organization receiving the document.
Can You Notarize a Bill of Sale Online?
In many cases, yes. If your bill of sale is eligible for remote online notarization and the recipient accepts an electronically notarized PDF, you may not need to visit a bank, UPS store, shipping center, or local notary office.
Online notarization usually works through a live video session. The notary verifies the signer't identity, confirms the signer is present, completes the required notarial act, and applies the electronic notary seal to the document.
When Would a Bill of Sale Need Notarization?
Not every bill of sale needs to be notarized. Some sales can be completed with only buyer and seller signatures. However, notarization may be requested or required in certain situations.
You may need a notarized bill of sale when:
- A bank, lender, or financing company requests it
- A DMV or title office asks for a notarized document
- The buyer wants stronger proof that the seller signed
- The seller wants a clearer record of the transaction
- The item is high value
- The buyer and seller are in different locations
- The document will be used for registration, title transfer, insurance, or business records
If the receiving office gave you a specific form, use that exact form whenever possible. If they gave you instructions about whose signature must be notarized, follow those instructions carefully.
Who Needs to Appear Before the Online Notary?
The person whose signature needs to be notarized must appear before the notary during the live online session. A notary cannot notarize a signature for someone who is not present.
For example:
- If only the seller't signature needs notarization, the seller must attend the session.
- If only the buyer't signature needs notarization, the buyer must attend the session.
- If both signatures need notarization, both required signers may need to appear and verify identity.
This is one of the most common mistakes with bill of sale notarization. People often upload the document but forget that the actual signer still needs to personally appear before the notary.
What You Need to Prepare
Before starting an online notarization session, prepare everything in advance. This helps avoid delays and makes the process smoother.
- The completed bill of sale document
- A valid government-issued photo ID
- A phone or computer with camera and microphone
- A stable internet connection
- The signer whose signature needs notarization
- Any instructions from the buyer, seller, bank, DMV, title office, or receiving party
Also make sure the names on the bill of sale are spelled correctly and match the ID as closely as possible. Check the item description, sale price, date, and signature lines before the session begins.
Online Notary vs Local Notary for a Bill of Sale
| Feature | Local Notary | Online Notary |
|---|---|---|
| Location | You usually need to travel to a bank, store, or office | You can complete the session from home |
| Availability | Depends on business hours and whether a notary is on duty | Often easier for evening, urgent, or remote situations |
| Signer access | Signer must physically appear in person | Signer appears through live video |
| Document format | Often paper-first | Convenient for digital PDF documents |
| Speed | Can require calls, travel, and waiting | Direct process when your document and ID are ready |
| Price feel | May vary by location, travel, or availability | Flat $20 per eligible document at Notary20 |
Common Bill of Sale Notarization Mistakes
Bill of sale notarization is usually straightforward, but small mistakes can cause rejection or delays. Watch out for these common issues:
- The wrong person joins the notary session
- The signer't name does not match the ID
- The document is missing a signature line
- The sale date or item description is incomplete
- The buyer assumes online notarization is accepted without checking
- The receiving office requires a specific state or agency form
- Both signatures need notarization, but only one signer appears
Before you notarize, ask the receiving party one important question: Whose signature needs to be notarized? That answer will determine who must attend the online session.
Can You Notarize a Bill of Sale That Was Already Signed?
Sometimes, but it depends on the notarial act and the recipient't requirements. For some acknowledgment notarizations, the signer may be able to acknowledge that they previously signed the document. However, the signer still must personally appear before the notary and verify identity.
If the receiving party requires the signature to be witnessed, the signer may need to sign during the live session. When in doubt, check with the person or agency receiving the document before the session.
How Much Does It Cost to Notarize a Bill of Sale Online?
Online notary prices can vary by provider. Some platforms charge per seal, per signer, per session, or add extra fees. That can be frustrating when you only need one document completed.
Notary20 keeps the process simple. Eligible online notarizations are $20 per document. For a bill of sale, that means you can focus on completing the transaction instead of guessing the final price.
Compare Broader Online Notary Pricing
If you want to compare online notarization costs before choosing a provider, read the full pricing guide here:
Start Your Online Bill of Sale Notarization
If you need to notarize a bill of sale online, start by preparing your document, photo ID, and recipient instructions. Once your document is ready, you can begin the online notary process and receive the notarized PDF by email.
FAQ
Can I notarize a bill of sale online?
Yes, many eligible bills of sale can be notarized online if the signer can verify identity, appears before the notary through live video, and the receiving party accepts remote online notarization.
Does a bill of sale always need notarization?
No. Some bills of sale do not require notarization. However, a buyer, seller, bank, DMV, title office, lender, or other recipient may request a notarized version.
Who must attend the online notary session?
The person whose signature needs to be notarized must attend the session. If both buyer and seller signatures need notarization, both required signers may need to appear.
Can I notarize a car bill of sale online?
In many cases, a car bill of sale may be eligible for online notarization, but you should confirm that the DMV, title office, buyer, seller, or receiving party accepts a remote online notarized document.
How much does Notary20 charge for a bill of sale notarization?
Notary20 charges a flat $20 per eligible document. If your bill of sale can be handled online, you can complete the process remotely and receive the notarized PDF by email.