- License and Registration

Title Transfers

Top What is a Title Transfer?

Your title confirms ownership of your vehicle. When it comes time to sell, donate or trade the vehicle, you will need the title to legally transfer ownership.

Some typical title transfer situations include:

Paying off a loan

Selling or buying a vehicle

Changing a name

Gifting a vehicle

Transferring to a family member

Inheriting a vehicle

NOTE: Vehicles 15 years or older are not required to carry a title.

Buying a Used Car? Order a Vehicle History Report First

Ordering a vehicle history report is a critical step in the used car buying process. Failing to do so could result in the purchase of a vehicle with frame, flood, or fire damage, odometer rollback and more. Stay on the safe side, and order a vehicle history report before you buy a used vehicle.

Top Selling a Vehicle

Ordering a vehicle history report should be the first step you take before placing an ad for your car. The report can answer any potential buyer doubts and guide you on establishing a reasonable asking price based on fair market value. Visit our section on vehicle history reports for complete details.

When you're ready to sell, you must:

Add the buyer's name and address to the title.
Add the vehicle's odometer reading to the title.
Both you and the buyer must sign the title.
Give the buyer the title.

Though a Bill of Sale is not required, having one for your own records is highly recommended.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

The dealer will submit title papers.

If you have yet to pinpoint a car, try shopping online.

Used Cars

Once you narrow your search down to a few cars, you'll need to weigh affordability as the deciding factor. Exploring all of your auto finance options before choosing could mean the difference between getting your first choice or settling for your second choice. Plotting a car budget also requires incorporating insurance costs. If you have yet to settle on a provider, you can compare quotes from a variety of companies at our Insurance Center.

Studying a vehicle history report before signing your name to any documents is strongly recommended. It only takes minutes to order and could save you from investing in a lemon.

When you're ready to buy, you must:

Have the owner sign-off as seller on the title.
Have the owner include the odometer reading on the title.
Sign-on as the buyer.
Bring the title to your town clerk.{/num*
Pay all applicable fees.

You will also need to register your vehicle during the titling process.

Top Removing a Lien

After paying off your loan, you're free to clear the lien from your title. To do so, you must:

Have the lienholder mail you the signed-off title.
This will suffice as your title, requiring no visits to your town clerk.

Top Transferring to Family

There are no restrictions. You can transfer the title to any family member including:

Grandparents

Grandkids

Cousins

Siblings

Parents

Kids

Because there is no sales tax, the process is simple:

Have the seller (or giver) sign-off on the title.
Add the vehicle's odometer reading.
Sign the title as buyer.
Add your address, if the seller has not done so.
Bring the completed title to your town clerk and pay all applicable fees.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

The process is no different than transferring to a family member. To complete the deal, you must:

Have the seller (or giver) sign-off on the title.
Include the vehicle's odometer reading.
Sign the title as buyer and be sure to include your address.
Bring the completed title to your town clerk and pay all applicable fees.

You will also need to register your vehicle at this time.

Top Donating a Vehicle

The advantages of donating are many. Not only are you spared of selling hassles, but you get to feel good about donating to a charity or cause of your choice. You can learn more about this option on our Car Donation page.

Consulting a tax attorney will increase your chances of receiving a maximum return on your tax credit.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

The requirements for inheriting a vehicle can be complicated. To help you negotiate through the process, give thought to consulting a probate attorney.

Surviving Spouse or Joint Owner

You will need to submit:

A copy of the death certificate.
The vehicle's title.
Form TDMV 23, which must be prepared by your local town or city clerk, or by the lienholder if applicable. This form cannot be downloaded.
Appropriate fees.

Owner Transfer via Will

If you receive vehicle ownership through a will, you need to submit:

The vehicle's title as assigned by the executor of the will.
A copy of the court certificate recognizing the executor of the will.
Form TDMV 23, which must be prepared by your local town or city clerk, or by the lienholder if applicable. This form is unavailable online.
Payment for all applicable fees.

Owner Transfer Without a Will

If you've been granted vehicle ownership through a probate court, you must submit:

Form TDMV 23, which must be prepared by your local town or city clerk, or by the lienholder if applicable.
The vehicle's title.
A copy of the court certificate recognizing the administrator of the deceased's estate.
A certified copy of the probate court's decision to award you vehicle ownership.
Payment for all applicable fees.

Depending on your situation, you may also need to register the vehicle.

Keep in mind you will need to insure the vehicle. If you have yet to settle on a provider, you can compare rates from a host of companies at our Insurance Center.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

Complete a Certification of Name Change.
Have proof of name change (divorce decree, marriage certificate, court order).
Have your title.
Bring all three documents to your town clerk and pay all applicable fees.

if you can't locate a needed document, such as a birth certificate, you're not doomed. Our Vital Record page has all the information you need on how to order a duplicate.

Deleting a Name

If both names are connected by "AND" you both must sign-off as seller. But if both names are connected by "OR" only one of you has to sign-off as the seller. Either way, the person retaining the vehicle must sign-on as the buyer.
Bring the title to your town clerk and pay a $27 fee.