Title Transfers

There are few things you can accomplish via snail mail when it comes to the Idaho Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), so you will be pleasantly surprised to learn that titling your vehicle is one of them.

First, you must be an Idaho resident or business in order to get the ball rolling. The state defines a resident as anyone living in his/her principal home, which falls within state lines, for at least 90 days. Of course, you can declare residency at any time prior, as well as register and title your vehicle before you hit that 90-day mark.

If you are a resident who is temporarily out of state (students and military personnel for example), then you can request to receive a title and register your vehicle through the mail. The same goes for out-of-state lienholders financing vehicles for Idaho residents.

The DMV will mail the title to the lienholder as long as the lien is recorded. If no lien is on record, then the DMV will mail the title directly to the registered owner. The registered owner will also be the recipient of registration and license plates.

To-Do List

Once you acquire the vehicle from the seller, you have 30 days to get it titled if you wish to avoid a $20 late penalty. If you want to take care of titling in person, go to the assessor's office in your county. The address you submitted on record determines your county.

Out-of-state dealers and leasing companies doing business with Idaho residents may also mail the title documents to this county office.

Otherwise, you can simply mail in the following seven required documents and fees to your assessor's office:

1. Title: For used vehicles, the previous owner and lienholder (if any) must properly release the title. For new vehicles, the dealer must properly release the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin and assign it to the new owner.


2. Bill of sale: If the purchase price of the vehicle has been entered on the title, you are in the clear, and there is no need for you to submit this document. Otherwise, download a PDF version, fill it out and include a description of the car, the purchase price, your name (as the buyer), the seller's signature, and the date, and then submit it with all the other documents. (You will need the free Adobe Reader to download and read PDF files.)


3. Odometer disclosure statement: You only need this for a transfer if the vehicle is less than 10 years old and weighs less than 16,000 pounds GVW. Record it on the title if there is space for it.


4. Vehicle Identification Number inspection: Download a PDF version of the Affidavit of Inspection, print it out, and have an officer of the law, county assessor, motor vehicle inspector, DMV employee, military police officer, or Idaho licensed vehicle dealer fill this out for you.


5. Power of attorney: Download a Power of Attorney form, print and fill it out (being sure to fully describe the vehicle and to sign the form), and include it with the other documents to be mailed. This completed form authorizes the county assessor or another party to sign the application for you, the owner.


6. Fees: All three must be paid in full to obtain a new title.


• If there's one thing you can always count on, it's taxes. You must pay a sales tax of five percent of the purchase price of the vehicle (minus the trade-in value if you bought it from a licensed dealer).

  If you bought it in another state, you must provide proof that at least five percent was paid to the state of purchase, or provide proof that you're a new resident who purchased the vehicle at least three months before moving to Idaho (businesses bringing vehicles across state lines from a non-taxing state do not fall under this exemption).

  If you have a title that was issued in your name, that is proof that you paid tax in that state.


• Title fee of $8


• Registration fees. Call (208) 334-8663 or (208) 334-8649 to verify the exact fees when you wish to title and register your vehicle.


7. Title application: This optional document is prepared by out-of-state dealers, lienholders, and leasing companies.