The surprise here was even though North Carolina requires notary approved signatures on
title transfers; when I bought my truck in TN and brought it to NC for title and
registration, notary was NOT required. Why? NC limit their requirements to vehicles bought and
sold within the state. And when I
sold a motorcycle in NC, notary was not required as I still had a SC title on it (I had recently moved from there).
Another tricky part when I brought my SC cargo trailer with me to NC, it was difficult, as such trailers are not licensed or titled in SC. Fortunately, I had the original paperwork (from ten years ago) when I originally bought the trailer. Crazier still, that trailer was bought in .. North Carolina.
So even if your state requires notary approval, check to see if it is required when you buy the vehicle out of state.