Title Transfers

In New Jersey, cars, motorcycles, buses, vans, mopeds, trucks, trailers, and other commercial vehicles must be titled and registered at a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) Agency before drivers can operate them on public roadways. When you buy from a dealer, usually the dealer will make sure you are issued the title. If not, you'll need to do the below footwork yourself.

You can legally hold a title without a driver's license, but you'll need a license to register and drive the vehicle.

New Vehicles

When a vehicle is titled in New Jersey, a 7% sales tax, based on the actual amount paid for the vehicle, must be paid. You will need to complete a sales tax form.

In most cases, you'll pay this tax to the dealer when you buy the car, and you'll receive the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin displaying a stamp indicating that the sale tax has been satisfied. Once you have this document, visit your local MVC Agency and pay the required title fee, which is:

• $20 (standard)

• $40 for a financed vehicle with one lien

• $60 for a financed vehicle with two liens

You will be asked to fill out an Application for a Certificate of Ownership.

For a financed vehicle, you should visit your local MVC Agency within 10 working days of purchase to avoid paying a penalty fee. You must also complete an Application for a Certificate of Ownership. You will:

• Provide all the vehicle information.

• Provide both the address and corporation code of the lienholder.

• Pay the $40 titling fee.

Note that you will receive a copy of your vehicle's title; the original goes to your lienholder.

Change of Ownership (Sale)

To avoid a $25 penalty fee, if you sell your vehicle, the title must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale. You must also:

• Remove and surrender the license plates to an MVC Inspection Station, MVC Agency, or Regional Service Center, unless the plates are being transferred to another vehicle.

• Sign the reverse side of the title, inserting the buyer's name and address, date of sale, odometer reading, and sale price. Then give the title to the buyer.

At this time, the buyer should:

• Sign the back of the title and insert his or her driver license number.

• Visit a local MVC Agency to transfer the title and register the vehicle.

• Present the signed title, sales tax form, proof of insurance, and payment of 7% sales tax.

• Complete an Application for a Certificate of Ownership.

• Pay the required fee of $20, or $40 for a financed vehicle.

Out-of-State Title Transfers

When you relocate to New Jersey, you must title it in the state. If you have a clean title (one with no lien), you must:

• Take your out-of-state vehicle title to any MVC Agency.

• Fill out a sales tax form to verify that this vehicle is tax exempt in this state.

• Complete an Application for a Certificate of Ownership.

• Pay a fee of $20.

You will be given a receipt copy of the title information over the counter, and the title will be mailed to you in four to six weeks. Even though you do not receive the title at the agency, you may register the vehicle if it is properly insured. Then, your license plates will be issued and you may operate the vehicle while you are waiting for the title.

If you have a lien on your vehicle, you should visit your local MVC Agency to obtain an Application for Release of Title and mail the completed form to the lienholder. When you do this:

• The lienholder will send the title to the MVC.

• The MVC will notify you to complete and return a sales tax form and an Application for a Certificate of Ownership.

• The lienholder will pay a fee of $40 and be mailed the New Jersey title.

Transferring a Title upon Death of Owner

In the unfortunate case that the owner of a vehicle dies, you must go to an MVC Agency in person within 30 days to transfer the title. There are several scenarios that require different transfer procedures.

• If the vehicle was left in a will:

• The executor of the estate will need to provide the old title and a Surrogate's Short Certificate.

• The executor will pay the $20 title fee. If you want to transfer the registration to an immediate family member at that time, the MVC will charge $4.50 to do so.

• If you want to transfer ownership to the estate:

• Provide the old title and a Surrogate's Short Certificate.

• Submit a $20 payment for the new title ($40 if the vehicle is financed).

• If you want to operate the vehicle, then the MVC requires you to register it anew.

• If both a husband and wife owned the vehicle:

• The surviving spouse should provide the old title, a copy of the death certificate, and a notarized Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Next of Kin.

• Submit a $20 payment for the new title. To also register the car in the surviving spouse's name, pay an additional $4.50.

• If the owner dies without a will:

• This is somewhat complicated, depending on how much the estate is worth at the time of death. All scenarios require the old title and a notarized Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Next of Kin or a Surrogate's Short Certificate. For more information, visit the MVC's Web site.

Gift Transfers

To transfer a car as a gift, you will take the same steps as in the "Change of Ownership (Sale)" section above. However, instead of listing a sale price, you'll simply write the word "Gift." Note that the recipient of the vehicle still has to take the appropriate steps to transfer the title―but won't have to pay sales tax.

Adding or Deleting a Name

To add a name to or delete a name from a title, both parties must go to an MVC Agency and provide the old title as well as proper identification.

Changing Your Name

Go to your local MVC Agency. Along with the old title, you must pass the MVC's "6 Point ID Verification Program." For more details on providing proper identification, you can use the MVC's online document selector or download a brochure.

Expect to be asked to show a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order verifying the name change.