Free Connecticut Vehicle Bill of Sale Form (CT DMV Form H-31 PDF)

Q: Is a bill of sale required to register a car in Connecticut?

Yes. The Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) requires an official bill of sale (Form H-31 compliant) for all private vehicle sales. It proves lawful transfer of ownership, establishes purchase price for Department of Revenue Services (DRS) sales tax calculation, and records mandatory federal odometer disclosures.

Q: What is Connecticut DMV Form H-31?

Form H-31 is the official Connecticut DMV statutory Bill of Sale template. It details the complete vehicle description, transaction date, purchase price, buyer and seller identifiers, and federal odometer certifications pursuant to Connecticut General Statutes §§ 14-169 and 14-179.

Q: Can you register a car in Connecticut without a title using a bill of sale?

Yes. Under C.G.S. § 14-179, motor vehicles 20 calendar years or older are exempt from Connecticut title requirements. For these older vehicles, this executed Form H-31 Bill of Sale, together with the previous owner's Connecticut registration certificate or a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (Form Q-1), serves as primary proof of ownership.

Q: Does a Connecticut vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

While standard CT DMV Form H-31 does not strictly require notarization if both parties are present or have clear title, notarization (Section F) is strongly recommended for private transactions, non-titled vintage transfers, or transactions where buyer and seller execute the document separately, preventing ownership disputes at DMV Hub Branches.

Q: What is the sales tax rate on cars in Connecticut?

Under C.G.S. § 12-431, Connecticut levies a standard 6.35% sales and use tax on passenger vehicles with a purchase price up to $50,000. For luxury vehicles with a total purchase price exceeding $50,000, the sales tax rate increases to 7.75%. Tax is collected directly by the DMV upon registration.

FORM SBF-CT-H31 Statutory Year: 2026

C.G.S. §§ 14-169, 14-179 & 12-431

STATE OF CONNECTICUT STATUTORY BILL OF SALE

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale & Federal Odometer Disclosure Statement

Compliant with Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Form H-31 Standards

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS: That the undersigned Seller, for and in consideration of the total sales price set forth herein, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, does hereby bargain, sell, grant, transfer, and deliver unto the undersigned Buyer all legal rights, title, equity, and interest in and to the motor vehicle described below, to have and to hold forever.

Section A: Jurisdiction & Location of Sale

State:

Connecticut County *:

Section B: Complete Motor Vehicle Description

Year *

Make *

Model *

Body Style

Color

CT Plate #

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN - 17 Characters) *:

Section C: Identification of Parties (Transferor & Transferee)

1. SELLER (Transferor Information) Physical Address Only

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

CT Driver License #

2. BUYER (Transferee Information) For CT DMV Registration

Full Legal Name *

Physical Address (No P.O. Box) *

City *

State

ZIP Code *

Phone Number

Driver License #

Section D: Financial Consideration & Federal / Connecticut Odometer Disclosure

Total Price (USD) *:

Date of Sale *:

Paid by: Cash Cashier's Check Wire Trade

Federal & Connecticut Odometer Disclosure Statement (49 U.S.C. § 32705 & C.G.S. § 14-169) Federal and state law requires odometer disclosure. False statements incur statutory civil liability or imprisonment.

Odometer Reading:

Miles

1. Actual Mileage: Reflects actual vehicle mileage to best of knowledge. 2. Exceeds Mechanical Limits: Mileage exceeds 5-digit mechanical limits (rollover). 3. Warning — Not Actual Mileage: Odometer reading is NOT the actual mileage (discrepancy).

CONNECTICUT SALES TAX ASSESSMENT (C.G.S. § 12-431): Buyer acknowledges responsibility to pay Connecticut sales and use tax directly to the CT DMV upon registration (standard 6.35% of purchase price; 7.75% for vehicles over $50,000). 20-YEAR TITLE EXEMPTION (C.G.S. § 14-179): Vehicles 20 calendar years or older are title-exempt; this executed Bill of Sale constitutes primary proof of ownership. STATUTORY "AS-IS" DISCLAIMER (C.G.S. § 42a-2-316): This vehicle is sold strictly in its present "AS-IS, WHERE-IS" condition, WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, whether known or unknown. Seller disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. Seller certifies under penalty of false statement under Connecticut law that Seller is the lawful owner with clear legal title free of liens.

Section E: Authorized Signatures & Ownership Affidavit

Seller (Transferor) Signature Must Match CT Title/Reg

Signature: ✕

Seller Printed Name

Date

Buyer (Transferee) Signature For CT DMV Registration

Signature: ✕

Buyer Printed Name

Date

Section F: State of Connecticut Notary Public Acknowledgment

STATE OF CONNECTICUT COUNTY OF:

Subscribed and sworn to before me this _____ day of ________________, 2026, by the Seller and/or Buyer named above, who proved to me on the basis of satisfactory government photo identification to be the person(s) who executed the within instrument.

Notary Public / Comm. of Superior Court

MM/DD/YYYY

My Commission Expires

★ Affix Notary Seal
/ Stamp Here CT DMV Form H-31 Standard

FORM SBF-CT-H31 (Rev. 2026) • StateBillForms.com C.G.S. §§ 14-169, 14-179 & 12-431 • CT DMV Form H-31 Compliant PAGE 1 OF 1

Official Process

Connecticut DMV 3-Step Private Vehicle Title & Registration Guide

Follow statutory Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles procedures to legally transfer motor vehicle title, calculate accurate state sales tax, and navigate the 20-year title exemption.

Execute Title & Bill of Sale

The seller signs over the original Connecticut Certificate of Title with date, sales price, and odometer reading. Both parties complete and sign this Form SBF-CT-H31 Bill of Sale (CT DMV Form H-31 compliant).

20-Year Non-Titled Rule

Under C.G.S. § 14-179, vehicles 20 calendar years or older are title-exempt. If the vehicle is 20+ years old, this executed Bill of Sale and the seller's previous registration certificate serve as primary ownership proof.

Register at CT DMV Hub Branch

The buyer books an appointment at a CT DMV Hub Branch with the title (or Form H-31 for older vehicles), Form H-13B (Registration Application), CT insurance card, emissions verification, and pays sales tax (6.35% or 7.75%).

Statutory Summary

Connecticut Vehicle Sale Legal Requirements Summary

Document / Requirement	Governing Authority	Status	Statutory Purpose
Connecticut Certificate of Title	C.G.S. § 14-169	Mandatory (<20 yrs)	Primary legal document of ownership; transfer section executed on reverse.
CT DMV Form H-31 Bill of Sale	C.G.S. § 14-169 & § 14-179	Essential	Legal contract establishing purchase price for DRS sales tax and ownership proof.
20-Year Title Exemption Rule	C.G.S. § 14-179	Statutory Exemption	Exempts vehicles 20+ years old from titling; Form H-31 serves as primary title.
CT Sales & Use Tax (6.35% / 7.75%)	C.G.S. § 12-431	Mandatory (Buyer)	6.35% for cars up to $50,000; 7.75% for luxury cars over $50,000 paid at DMV registration.
Emissions Testing Verification	C.G.S. § 14-164c	Condition Precedent	Vehicles 4 to 25 years old must pass CT emissions test prior to registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Connecticut Vehicle Bill of Sale Legal FAQs

Is a bill of sale required to register a car in Connecticut?

What is Connecticut DMV Form H-31?

Can you register a car in Connecticut without a title using a bill of sale?

Does a Connecticut vehicle bill of sale need to be notarized?

What is the sales tax rate on cars in Connecticut?

Free Connecticut Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale Form

STATE OF CONNECTICUT STATUTORY BILL OF SALE