Top What is a Title Transfer?

If you’ve ever owned a vehicle, you’ve undoubtedly had some experience with a title―even if it was just signing your name on the title. A vehicle’s title, which includes the names of each owner and lienholder, is the document that proves who owns the vehicle.

Whenever you need to make changes to the title, you have 30 days to complete a title transfer. Common situations that call for title transfers include:

• Buying or selling a vehicle

• Paying off a car loan and removing a lienholder

• Transferring vehicle ownership between two family members

• Gifting or donating a vehicle

• Inheriting a vehicle

• Making name changes on a current title

Top Selling a Vehicle

You want your potential buyer to feel confident in you and your product―in this case, your used vehicle. Whereas fervently promising the buyer your vehicle is in tiptop shape isn’t always enough, providing a Vehicle History Report (VHR) may get the job done.

Once you have a buyer, take these steps to complete the title transfer:

1. Sign and complete Section 1, the “Assignment of Certificate of Title” section, on the back of the title. Be sure to include the:
   • Buyer’s name, address, and signature
   • Date
   • Purchase price
   • Odometer Disclosure
2. Make sure the buyer signs and completes Section 4, the “Purchaser’s Application,” and Section 3, the “Lien Section,” if applicable.
3. Complete a Seller’s Report of Sale and the registration card with the buyer and send them to your local DMV office.
4. Give the buyer the title so he can visit his own local DMV office to complete the title transfer.

NOTE: The DMV requires the Seller’s Report of Sale in lieu of a Bill of Sale, but many sellers and buyers alike prefer completing a Bill of Sale for their own records. Visit our Bill of Sale section for more information.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

When you purchase a new vehicle from a dealership, you generally don’t have to worry about the titling process. Your dealer will take care of it for you.

You can, however, shop online for new cars before you make your purchase.

Used Cars

Whether you’re in the market to save money, find great gas mileage, or help your newly licensed daughter purchase the perfect starter car, pre-owned vehicles can be excellent buys. Of course, you’ll want to obtain a VHR to make sure the vehicle is indeed a deal. Once everything checks out, start looking for auto finance options and auto insurance policies that fit your budget.

Ready to finalize the sale? Follow these steps to transfer the title:

1. Make sure the seller completes and signs Section 1, the “Assignment of Certificate of Title” section. Check for the date of sale, purchase price, and the Odometer Disclosure before signing it yourself.
2. Complete and sign Section 4, the “Purchaser’s Application.” If you have a lien, you must also sign and complete Section 3, the “Lien Section.”
3. Complete a Seller’s Report of Sale and the registration card with the seller. He will send this to his local DMV office.
4. Make sure you obtain the title from the seller before you part ways. Once you have it, bring it and the following to your DMV office to complete the title transfer:
   • Your driver’s license or two proofs of residency.
   • Proof of liability insurance.
   • The appropriate fees:
     • $25 to title the vehicle with no lien.
     • $35 to title the vehicle with a lien.
     • The document fee, which is 3.75% of the NADA trade-in value.
     • An additional $25 if you don’t transfer the title within the 30-day time period.

Your DMV location will also handle the registration process. Refer to Car Registration for information about additional fees, registration periods, and vehicle inspections.

Top Removing a Lien

The DMV doesn’t require you to complete any kind of title transaction once you pay off your car loan; the lien is satisfied once your lienholder sends you the properly marked, cleared title. Of course, if you want the lien information removed from the DMV’s system:

1. Gather up the cleared title and:
• Your driver’s license or two proofs of residency.
• A completed Odometer Disclosure.
• Proof of insurance.
2. Visit your local DMV to complete the transaction.

There’s no fee to remove the information from the DMV’s system.

Top Transferring to Family

Whether the transfer occurs between immediate family members or distant cousins, the new owner must pay a document fee (unless the previous owner enters “gift” for the purchase price, in which case the new owner may still need to pay the document fee―see below).

Depending on how the two parties―and the DMV clerk―handle the transfer, the document fee may be 3.75% of the purchase price or 3.75% of the NADA trade-in value.

For family members to transfer a vehicle title:

1. The previous owner must complete and sign Section 1 of the title, making sure to include the sale date, purchase price (which may be “gift” or the NADA trade-in value), and the Odometer Disclosure.
2. The new owner must complete and sign Section 4 of the title.
3. The presence of a lien requires the applicable party to complete Section 3 of the title.
4. The previous owner must complete a Seller’s Report of Sale and the registration card, and the new owner should check the information before the previous owner sends it to the DMV.
5. The new owner must obtain the title from the seller heading to his DMV office with:
   • His driver’s license or two proofs of residency.
   • Proof of liability insurance.
   • The appropriate fees:
     • A title with no lien is $25.
     • A title with a lien is $35.
     • If required, the document fee (3.75% of the NADA trade-in value).
     • A late fee of $25 if the title transfer is past the 30-day deadline.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

Gifting a vehicle may or may not require the new owner to pay a document fee. It’s best to contact your local DMV office for details, and be prepared to hand over 3.75% of the NADA trade-in value just in case.

If you’ve received a vehicle as a gift, follow these steps to transfer the title:

1. Make sure the previous owner completes and signs Section 1 of the title as the “seller.” This includes recording “gift” as the purchase price and completing the Odometer Disclosure.
2. Once the previous owner completes Section 1, make sure your name and address are correct and then add your signature as the “buyer.”
3. Complete and sign Section 4 on the title.
4. The previous owner may complete a Seller’s Report of Sale and the registration card to notify the DMV. If so, make sure your information is recorded correctly on the form.
5. Complete the title transfer at your local DMV office. Bring the title and:
   • Your driver’s license or two proofs of residency.
   • Proof of liability insurance.
   • The appropriate fees. With gifted vehicles, this is generally the regular $25 titling fee, but you may have to pay a document fee (3.75% of the NADA trade-in value) and a late fee of $25 if you miss the 30-day deadline.

You can also handle the vehicle registration process at your DMV office. Our Car Registration section covers registration fees, inspections, and other additional requirements.

Top Donating a Vehicle

Find tips for donating your vehicle to a qualified charity in our section on vehicle donation.

Remember to consult a tax attorney for help with the tax benefits related to donating a vehicle.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

A probate attorney is the best source of information about the legal ins and outs of inheriting vehicles.

The steps to transfer the title of an inherited vehicle vary and it’s best to speak with a DMV clerk for details specific to your situation; however, if you’ve inherited a vehicle, you can at least expect to:

1. Locate the following documents:
   • The vehicle’s title, including the current Odometer Disclosure.
   • Your driver’s license or two proofs of residency.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • A certified Letter of Administration from the will proceedings.
   • The titling fee of $25.
2. Head to your DMV office with the above documents and fees to complete the transfer. Depending on your situation, the estate executor may need to accompany you.

NOTE: If there’s a lien on the vehicle, you must first contact the lienholder, and then the DMV, to determine the title transfer process.

You can also register the vehicle while you’re at the DMV, and because both the titling and registration processes require proof of insurance, now’s the time to learn about the minimum requirements and shop for affordable policies at our Insurance Center.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Locate the documents that prove your correct name. These may include a marriage license, divorce decree, birth certificate, or other court document.
2. Visit your local DMV office with the above documents and:
   • The current title.
   • Your driver’s license or two proofs of residency.
   • A completed Odometer Disclosure.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • A letter from your lienholder approving the name change (if applicable).
   • The appropriate fee ($25 if there’s no lienholder; $35 if there’s a lienholder).

Name changes and discrepancies can make applying for licenses, titles, and even car loans tricky, and obtaining a vital record is a wise move for anyone who needs a copy of a record that will prove identification.

Visit Changing Your Name for additional information about updating your name with the DMV.

Deleting a Name

1. If applicable, gather the documents that support the reason for deleting the name. These are generally legal documents like divorce decrees.
2. Head to your local DMV office to complete the transaction. You’ll need the above documents, the person who’s name you’re deleting, and:
   • The current title.
   • Both parties’ licenses or two proofs of residency per party.
   • A completed Odometer Disclosure.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • If applicable, a letter from the lienholder approving the name deletion.
   • The appropriate fee ($25 if there’s no lienholder; $35 if there’s a lienholder).

Adding a Name

1. If there is a legal document that supports your reason for adding a name, such as a marriage certificate, locate it.
2. Complete the title transaction at your local DMV office. Make sure you bring the additional person, the above document, and:
   • The current title.
   • Both parties’ licenses or two proofs of residency per party.
   • A completed Odometer Disclosure.
   • Proof of insurance.
   • A letter from the lienholder, if there is one, approving the name addition.
   • The appropriate fee ($25 if there’s no lienholder; $35 if there’s a lienholder).

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