I just went to the tag office today to see if I could get my GS500E title notarized to it's new owner near Charlotte. They said that both parties must be present to complete the transaction. That seems strange since people sell and ship bikes on Ebay all the time. How does a person notarize the title to the distant new owner if they can't come to the seller's location? Luckily the buyer will be coming back to pick up the bike but it will be inconvenient for them since they were planning on coming Saturday morning. They want to tag the bike and ride it back down to Charlotte. I'm in North Carolina BTW. 

(note this is how it works in my state, ymmv)

The dmv issues a title to the owner, as your title is issued to you.  When you sell it, you sign the back of the title to the new owner and the new owner takes the old title to the dmv and turns it in, with a bill of sale, so the dmv can issue a new, current title to the new owner.  You can't take it to the dmv and register it for the new owner, he has to do that...

Exactly. The problem I'm having is that I just need to get the title notarized to the new owner without him having to be present. I would then be able to mail the title to him and he could get his registration and tag to come pick the bike up. I'm hoping he'll consider a U-Haul since it's really cold and he's only been riding for 4-5 months. He's about 2 hours south of my location.

ok, i see.

I've never used a notary in this case.  I just sign the title and hand it over.

And, he doesn't need a tag to ride it home if he has the title on him and bill of sale, he should have something like 30 days atleast.

I have both bought and sold online. I took the title to the notary, they notorized my signature, I mailed it to the new owner.. he took it to the notary and they notarized his. then he sent it in to the DMV. I dont see why in any state that both people would have to be there

What state are you in? Check your DMV website for info. Sometimes the notary doesnt know everything.. You might also want to go to a local bike dealer and ask them how they do it 

**EDIT**

Ok I looked in your sig and looks like you are in NC? Well I am at work and bored So I  looked it up for ya..

Looks like the notary you went to doesnt know whats up.. here is what the DMV says:


When selling a vehicle or donating a vehicle the following items are required on the back of the North Carolina title:
Purchaser's name and address
Date of sale or date of delivery
Seller's signature and hand printed name
Odometer Reading
Notarization
Damage Disclosure


For more information regarding selling/donating a vehicle you may call 919-715-7000


.. Nowhere on there does it say they require the "Buyers Signature"

Anyway.. i would call the # on there and ask them to be sure. I just think the notary you went to has just never seen it done that way

Ok.. now I better do some work

also...if I member...
NC is kinda screwed up
they want the sellers sig notorized not the buyer
they want to make positive you are selling your bike/car...they don't really care who you sell it to
just print the buyers full name on the back and tell them to sign it before they walk into DMV.......


get your sig noterized and send it to the buyer and let them do the title work
DO NOT FORGET THE BILL-O-SALE    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     signed and filled out

Yeah Scott I actually managed to find that on the NC DMV website. I guess it could be interpretted both ways. The lady in the DMV actually told me I had to have the title notarized with both the buyer and seller present. A snobby lady in Wachovia told me the same thing.

And Ken that's the exact way I was planning on doing it. I don't see why they wouldn't let me do that. Has anyone from North Carolina sold a bike like you just described? The buyer is still wanting to ride the bike home but he's in for a rough ride if he does it this Saturday. 

I know that most laws are kinda fuzzy but you cant argue the fact the NC DMV says that:

When selling a vehicle or donating a vehicle the following items are required on the back of the North Carolina title:
Purchaser's name and address
Date of sale or date of delivery
Seller's signature and hand printed name
Odometer Reading
Notarization
Damage Disclosure

Why would the "purchaser"  need to be present? It doesnt require a signature from him? So then there is nothing to notarize other than your sig I dunno..

Quote from: Stephen072774 on January 29, 2007, 03:17:12 PM
(note this is how it works in my state, ymmv)

The dmv issues a title to the owner, as your title is issued to you.  When you sell it, you sign the back of the title to the new owner and the new owner takes the old title to the dmv and turns it in, with a bill of sale, so the dmv can issue a new, current title to the new owner.  You can't take it to the dmv and register it for the new owner, he has to do that...

+1 for MA

Quote from: werase643 on January 29, 2007, 05:01:48 PM
also...if I member...
NC is kinda screwed up
they want the sellers sig notorized not the buyer
they want to make positive you are selling your bike/car...they don't really care who you sell it to
just print the buyers full name on the back and tell them to sign it before they walk into DMV.......


get your sig noterized and send it to the buyer and let them do the title work
DO NOT FORGET THE BILL-O-SALE    !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!     signed and filled out

+1
Cool.
Srinath.

Just take it by a bank before noon on that Saturday when he gets there.  Banks all have notary publics and you could just meet at the bank and do the transaction there. 

I was planning on doing that Jake. The buyer just contacted me and said a coworker of his would notarize the title without me being present. I just need to feel it out and send a bill of sale with it. Maybe not the way it's supposed to be done but at least it's now getting done.

Requirements vary from state to state on vehicle titles.

In Ohio, I can notarize the signature of the seller of a vehicle and he can then exchange said title for the agreed-to funds.

When the buyer of the vehicle goes to the Ohio BMV, he signs an Ohio application for title, pays the sales tax for said vehicle and receives a new title in his name from the State of Ohio in about two (2) weeks.

I've been an Ohio notary for 20+ years now and I've notarized thousands of signatures over the years that pertained to vehicle purchases.

If you're planning to part with some of your hard-earned cash from a seller from out of state, you'd better get a little familiar with that states and your states titling and licensing parameters. I was once close to buying a very old motorcycle from an out of state seller and he assured me that even though HE didn't have a title for the bike, all I had to do was have an out-of-state vehicle inspection done (correct) and then I could apply for a title (also correct). Note I said "I could apply for a title". I didn't say, nor did he say, that I would actually get a title (which I found out that I would not ever receive in this instance). I told the out-of-state seller that I was no longer interested in his old bike. Lesson.....do your homework first before you hand over your cash!