In South Dakota a seller has 45 days from the date of sale to deliver the title to the purchaser. If you don’t have the title you will need to apply for a duplicate title, which can take several weeks for the title to be processed and mailed by the state. If there is a lien holder and the title is being held electronically (ELT) the title will not be printed until the lien has been released.
A valid bill of sale must include the complete vehicle information (year, make, model, complete VIN), the date of sale, sale price, seller name, buyer name, and be signed by the seller and buyer. South Dakota titles have a section on the back to fill in the purchase price, date of sale, and the seller’s signature If any of the required information is missing, or not filled out, a separate bill of sale will be needed (Form 1025).
An odometer disclosure is required for all vehicles\motorcycles 20 years old or newer. The back of South Dakota titles have a section for the odometer to be filled out by the seller. A separate Odometer Disclosure may also be completed by the seller.
South Dakota statute does not provide for a refund when a vehicle is sold. The plates should be removed from a sold vehicle as they stay with the owner, not the vehicle. If you purchase a vehicle, you may transfer the license plates from the sold vehicle to receive credit for any remaining registration. Once the plates have expired they become dead and cannot be transferred.
