Oklahoma uses different sale documents depending on whether the current title is paper or electronic. A paper-title sale requires a properly assigned and notarized Oklahoma title, while an electronic-title sale uses notarized Form 718, Bill of Sale of an Electronic Title.

A private sale also starts three deadlines. The buyer or seller must submit pre-registration information within two business days, the buyer must display a metal plate with pre-registration decals within 10 days, and the buyer must complete the title, tax and full registration process within two months.

Download our free vehicle bill of sale PDF to document the actual details before Oklahoma’s pre-registration process begins. Use it as your sale record alongside—not instead of—the required paper-title or electronic-title documents. 

Oklahoma’s Three Deadlines Begin on the Sale Date

Oklahoma does not use one general deadline for the entire private-sale process.

Business days are Monday through Friday, excluding state holidays. Either the buyer or seller can submit the private-sale pre-registration information, but the parties should decide who will complete it before the vehicle is handed over.

The pre-registration requirement applies to vehicles purchased in Oklahoma even when the buyer ultimately plans to register the vehicle in another state, tribal jurisdiction or other jurisdiction.

Oklahoma Bill of Sale Quick Facts

The title, deadline and document requirements are published by Service Oklahoma, while the tax formulas appear in Oklahoma’s revenue statutes.

First Identify the Current Title Format

Paper Oklahoma Title

Existing paper Oklahoma titles remain valid until the next title transaction.

For a private sale, the seller must:

• Complete the assignment on the paper title.

• Enter the buyer and transaction information.

• Record the mileage when required.

• Sign the assignment before a notary.

• Give the original assigned title to the buyer.

After the buyer completes the transfer, the new Oklahoma title is generally created as an electronic record.

Electronic Oklahoma Title

Beginning July 1, 2025, Oklahoma titles are issued electronically by default. A paper title can still be requested in limited situations, including when there is no active lien or when another jurisdiction requires one. Existing paper titles remain valid until another title transaction occurs.

When the current Oklahoma title is electronic, the seller uses Form 718, Bill of Sale of an Electronic Title.

“This form should be used to transfer ownership of an electronic Oklahoma title.”
— Service Oklahoma Form 718

Form 718 can be used only when the current title on record is electronic. The document is void if altered, and incomplete submissions may be rejected.

What Information Does Form 718 Require?

The current Form 718, revised in September 2025, requests:

• Vehicle year, make and model.

• Full VIN.

• Oklahoma title number.

• Electronic-title issue date and title type.

• Buyer’s name and address.

• Sale price and purchase date.

• Lienholder name and address.

• Seller’s name and address.

• Seller’s printed name and signature.

• Notarial acknowledgement.

The seller signs under oath that the electronic title is held by the State of Oklahoma and that ownership is being assigned to the named buyer.

The current instructions state that additional documents may be required, including:

• Purchase agreement.

• Form 722-1 Declaration of Vehicle Purchase Price.

• Form 729 Odometer Disclosure Statement.

• Other vehicle-specific documentation.

The instructions also state that a private individual purchase requires a declaration of purchase price.

Form 722-1 Does Not Transfer Ownership

Form 722-1, Declaration of Vehicle Purchase Price, has a narrow purpose.

It is used when:

• No purchase contract or separate bill of sale was prepared.

• The buyer cannot obtain one from the seller.

• Service Oklahoma needs a sworn statement of the amount paid.

Form 722-1 establishes the purchase price only. It does not convey ownership and cannot replace the paper title or Form 718. The buyer signs it before a notary.

Form 701-6 Is the Main Title Application

The buyer uses Form 701-6, Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title.

The form records:

• Vehicle and VIN information.

• Owner’s name and address.

• Driver licence or federal employer identification number.

• Plate being transferred.

• Paper or electronic title preference.

• Lienholder information.

• Entry date for a vehicle brought into Oklahoma.

• Damage, theft and flood disclosures.

• Inspection information when applicable.

The owner or legal agent signs the application before a notary.

Which Oklahoma Documents Need Notarization?

Oklahoma applies notarization to several distinct documents.

A buyer should not treat a signed handwritten receipt as a substitute for the notarized paper title, Form 718 or Form 701-6.

What Documents Does the Oklahoma Buyer Need?

These documents are submitted through Service Oklahoma headquarters or a licensed operator, formerly called a tag agency.

How Does Oklahoma Handle Liens?

Oklahoma is a title-holding state. When an active lien exists, the lienholder controls the paper or electronic title until the lien is satisfied.

A paid lien remains shown as active in the Service Oklahoma system until a properly completed lien release is submitted. There is no fee merely to release the lien in the state record, but an $11 title fee applies when the owner requests a newly issued title showing that the lien is no longer active.

The seller should resolve the lien before accepting final payment unless the transaction is being completed directly with the lender.

Which Odometer and Damage Disclosures Are Required?

For a model-year 2011 or newer vehicle with an odometer, Oklahoma requires a completed odometer disclosure.

The disclosure is normally included in the title assignment. Form 729 is required when the title does not contain an acceptable odometer section.

Form 701-6 also requires:

• A damage or theft declaration for a vehicle 10 years old or newer, unless an applicable branded out-of-state title is surrendered.

• A flood-damage disclosure for every vehicle, regardless of age.

The owner or legal agent must answer those questions accurately before the application is processed.

The Two-Day Pre-Registration Requirement

For a private Oklahoma sale, either the buyer or seller must submit the pre-registration information within two business days.

The information generally includes:

• VIN.

• Vehicle year, make, model and type.

• Plate number when the buyer is transferring a plate.

• Date of sale.

• Buyer’s name and address.

• Buyer’s email address and phone number.

The transaction can be pre-registered online or in person through Service Oklahoma headquarters or a licensed operator.

A buyer who immediately completes the full title and registration transaction can address the requirements in that transaction rather than maintaining a separate unfinished pre-registration process.

The Buyer Has 10 Days to Display the Plate and Decals

Oklahoma licence plates belong to people rather than vehicles.

The seller retains the plate from the sold vehicle. The buyer either:

• Transfers an existing Oklahoma metal plate; or

• Receives a new metal plate.

The buyer must attach the metal plate and two pre-registration decals within 10 days of the purchase date. If an existing plate is being transferred, the licensed operator sends or provides only the new decals.

The pre-registration decals show that the transaction has been reported but has not yet been fully registered.

Full Registration Must Be Completed Within Two Months

The buyer has two months from the purchase date to:

• Obtain the title in the buyer’s name.

• Pay sales and excise tax.

• Complete the full registration.

• Obtain the standard month and year registration decals.

• Receive the registration receipt.

The metal plate and pre-registration decals do not extend the two-month deadline.

Oklahoma Changed Its Excise-Tax Valuation Rule in 2026

Effective July 1, 2026, Oklahoma bases motor vehicle excise tax on the actual sale price.

House Bill 1183 removed the former valuation adjustment that allowed average retail value to affect the tax base when the reported price fell outside a specified range. The change applies to transactions occurring after the law’s effective date.

The bill of sale, Form 718, purchase agreement or Form 722-1 should therefore state the actual amount paid. The state can require supporting evidence when a transaction appears false or incomplete.

How Are Oklahoma Vehicle Taxes Calculated?

A used vehicle is subject to two state calculations.

Used-Vehicle Excise Tax

The excise-tax formula is:

• $20 on the first $1,500 or less of taxable value.

• 3.25% of the value above $1,500.

From July 1, 2026, the applicable value is based on the vehicle’s actual sale price under HB 1183.

Motor Vehicle Sales Tax

Oklahoma also retains a 1.25% motor vehicle sales or use tax.

Motor vehicle sales are not subject to additional city, county or other local sales and use taxes.

A qualifying exemption can change the amount due. Buyers should have Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator calculate the final tax during registration.

Oklahoma Title and Registration Fees

Initial Transaction Charges

Standard Annual Vehicle Registration

Taxes, plate charges, lien services, mailing and other vehicle-specific charges may be added.

Does Oklahoma Require a Vehicle Inspection?

The standard in-state private-sale checklist does not require a general statewide passenger-vehicle safety or emissions certificate.

A vehicle previously titled in another state generally requires a physical VIN inspection before Oklahoma issues the title. The inspection is performed by Service Oklahoma or a licensed operator and costs $4. New vehicles are generally exempt from that out-of-state used-vehicle inspection requirement.

Which Family Gifts Qualify for an Excise-Tax Exemption?

A qualifying family gift uses Form 794, Family Affidavit.

The exemption applies to transfers without payment or other consideration between:

• Husband and wife.

• Parent or stepparent and child or stepchild.

It does not apply to siblings, grandparents, grandchildren or other extended-family relationships. The titled owner completes Form 794 and signs it before a notary.

A vehicle that was sold or exchanged for something of value is not a qualifying gift.

What If the Oklahoma Title Is Missing?

A generic bill of sale does not automatically replace a missing paper title.

The record owner or lienholder can request a duplicate using Form 701-7. The required signatures must be notarized, and the duplicate title fee is $11.

A missing paper document is different from an electronic title. When the current state record is electronic, the seller uses Form 718 rather than requesting a paper title solely to complete the private sale.

How to Complete an Oklahoma Private Vehicle Sale

• Confirm whether the current Oklahoma title is paper or electronic.

• Verify that the seller is the titled owner.

• Compare the VIN on the ownership record with the vehicle.

• Resolve every active lien.

• Complete and notarize the paper title or Form 718.

• Complete the purchase-price documentation.

• Complete Form 729 when a separate odometer statement is required.

• Decide whether the buyer or seller will submit pre-registration.

• Submit pre-registration within two business days.

• Have the seller retain the existing plate.

• Display the buyer’s plate and pre-registration decals within 10 days.

• Complete Form 701-6, pay taxes and finish registration within two months.

Common Oklahoma Bill of Sale Mistakes

• Using Form 718 when the current title is paper.

• Using only a handwritten receipt for an electronic-title sale.

• Failing to notarize the paper-title assignment.

• Altering Form 718 after it has been completed.

• Treating Form 722-1 as proof of ownership.

• Missing the two-business-day pre-registration deadline.

• Leaving the seller’s plate on the vehicle.

• Failing to display the buyer’s plate and decals within 10 days.

• Treating the two-month deadline as 60 calendar days.

• Using the former NADA-based excise-tax valuation after July 1, 2026.

• Omitting the required flood-damage disclosure.

• Failing to obtain a VIN inspection for an out-of-state vehicle.