What is a Title Transfer?

A title, or pink slip, is a piece of paper proving ownership of a vehicle. Titles change hands when vehicles are:

• Bought or sold

• Inherited

• Donated

• Gifted

You must go in person to a Registration Office to make the title transfer official. Each county takes care of titles on its own; there is no central office.

Though each county varies in requirements, expect to do the official title transfer within 10-30 days of the sales transaction. The sooner, the better, because the last thing you want is the new owner driving a car that’s still in your name.

Selling a Vehicle

Convincing someone to buy your car in a sea of competition can be difficult. One way to win the trust of the buyer is to offer them a Vehicle History Report. The report has a detailed history of your car, like whether it’s salvage or if it’s been in a huge accident. This will reassure the buyer that you’re on the up and up and may seal the deal. Learn more at our Vehicle History Report section.

Once you've found your buyer and agree on a price, signing the title over to your buyer is straightforward.

1. On the back of the title, sign and date the seller lines (or previous owner section). If there are joint owners, both must sign it over.
2. Write the odometer reading where it asks for it.
3. Have the buyer sign the “new owner” section.
4. Fill out a Notice of Transfer, like this one from Hawaii County (check with your county to see what’s required). Hawaii County requires this form within 10 days, or you’ll have to pay a $100 fine.

Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

Transferring a title when you buy a new car is really simple, because the dealer does it for you.

But if you’re on the hunt for a new car, you should comparison shop. Comparing models online is convenient and quick.

Used Cars

Buying a car requires research and planning. You’ll need to work out a budget and figure out how much you can put down.

Then, look at as many cars as you can to find the best deal. Many people can’t afford to pay for a car in full, so you may need to consider getting financing.

Don’t forget to plan the insurance payment into your final budget. Get insurance quotes before you make your final decision; premiums do vary.

Finally, be sure you order a Vehicle History Report on the car. This will alert you to many major problems a car can have and will help you decide if a car is worth the money. Plus, you can get a month or more worth of reports on as many cars as you want for one fee.

1. Have the seller sign, date, and write the mileage down on the back of the title.
2. Sign and date the title yourself.
3. Get a Bill of Sale as a receipt.
4. Take the title to a registration office in your county.

If you’re going to be driving the car around, you’ll also need to get it registered at the same time. Fees are determined by weight; your county has its own specific form to fill out.

Removing a Lien

1. After you make the final payment, the lender signs the title over to you and mails it to you.
2. Sign the flip side of the title in the box that says “New Owner.”
3. Go to a registration office.
4. Bring the current registration card.
5. Pay the title transfer fee. It ranges from $5 to $10.

Transferring to Family

Gifting a vehicle to an immediate family member lets the new owner off the hook for use tax. “Immediate family” usually means:

• A spouse, child or step-child

• A parent or step-parent

• A grandparent or grandchild

However, because each county has its own registration office, you’ll need to check with yours to see what their definition of “immediate family” is.

1. Simply sign the back of the title over to the new owner. Write in the mileage, too.
2. Have the new owner sign and date.
3. Have the new owner go to a registration office and pay the transfer fee ($5 to $10).
4. The car will need a new registration at the same time. Check with your local office for fees and requirements.

Gifting a Vehicle

If you receive a vehicle as a gift from someone outside your immediate family, you’ll have to pay the use tax. This takes the estimated value of the car and puts a tax on it.

1. Have the giver sign, date, and put the odometer reading on the back of the title.
2. Sign and date the title yourself.
3. Get a Bill of Sale as a receipt.
4. Go to a registration office and pay the title transfer fee (usually $5 to $10).
5. Register your car using the form at your local office. The registration office will calculate your registration fee and use tax.

Donating a Vehicle

If you don’t want the hassle of selling a car, consider donating it to charity. You’ll get the write-off, the charity gets the car, and everyone is happy.

However, because tax laws tend to change on a yearly basis, consulting a tax attorney could be useful to make sure you get full credit, especially if you are taking many deductions.

Inheriting a Vehicle

1. If your joint-owner has passed away, sign the vehicle over to yourself on the back of the title, then proceed with the following. If you are a descendant, check with your county registration office for title signing instructions.
2. Take the title, the death certificate, and an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent form (this form is for Hawaii County, but all counties have similar forms) to a registration office to complete the transfer.
3. You may need to re-register your car at the same time.

Because this inheritance business can get complex, especially if there is no will or multiple people claiming to be the descendant entitle to the vehicle, you should consult a probate attorney for more information.

Don’t forget to make sure the vehicle has current insurance. If you need a new quote, consider visiting our insurance center.

Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Take the documents showing the change (such as marriage certificate or divorce decree) to your county registration office.
2. Ask the clerk to change your name on your title.
3. A new title will be issued. Call your county registration office for fee information.

If you need an official copy of your name change, you can order a vital record online. See our Changing Your Name article for more information.

Deleting a Name

1. A joint owner must sign the title over to the remaining owner.
2. Take the title to a county registration office.
3. A new title will be issued. Call for fee information.

Adding a Name

1. Note the change on the title and have both parties sign under “New Owner.”
2. Take the title to a county registration office and apply for a new title. Contact the office for fee information.

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