Top What is a Title Transfer?

The legal document that shows vehicle ownership is called a title, and each time ownership of a vehicle changes―or a name on the title changes―a title transfer must take place as soon as possible.

You’ll need to complete a title transfer if you:

• Buy or sell a vehicle

• Pay off your car loan

• Transfer a vehicle to an immediate family member

• Gift or donate a vehicle

• Inherit a vehicle

• Need to make a name change on a current title

Top Selling a Vehicle

A buyer wants to feel confident in the vehicle you’re selling before he makes a decision. You can help when you offer a Vehicle History Report (VHR). With this information in hand, a potential buyer is more likely to feel positive about the purchase.

To complete a title transfer with the buyer:

1. Properly complete and sign the title as the “seller.”
2. Make sure the buyer properly completes and signs the title as the “buyer.”
3. Complete and sign an Odometer Disclosure Statement with the buyer.
4. Provide the buyer with any applicable emissions testing information.
5. Remove your license plate.
6. Give the title and the Odometer Disclosure Statement to the new owner so he can visit his County Clerk’s office to title and register the vehicle.

NOTE: A Bill of Sale isn’t required, but some sellers and buyers alike prefer to have the documents for their own records. Learn more at Bill of Sale.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

You can register your new vehicle in the same way you’d register a used vehicle (see below), presenting the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin and the invoice instead of the title and Odometer Disclosure Statement, but dealers generally offer to handle the process for buyers―and buyers generally take them up on it.

Remember to shop online for a new vehicle to compare factors like price, gas mileage, and safety features before making your decision.

Used Cars

Budget often plays a major role in purchasing a vehicle. Browsing affordable pre-owned vehicles can help you stay within your budget, and purchasing a vehicle with a satisfactory VHR can help prevent unexpected repair bills down the road.

Of course, choosing an affordable car is just the first step. You also need an affordable auto finance option and you may even need a car insurance policy that’s within your budget and satisfies financial responsibility laws.

Once you’ve made your purchase, it’s time to transfer the title.

1. Have the seller complete and sign the title as the “seller.”
2. Complete and sign the title as the “buyer.”
3. Make sure the seller provides an Odometer Disclosure Statement, and make sure the actual odometer reading matches the statement before you add your signature.
4. Complete a Bill of Sale with the seller for your own records.
5. If applicable, ask the seller for emissions testing information. (If your county requires it, you must present passing emissions testing information before you can register the vehicle.)
6. Make sure the seller removes his license plate.
7. Obtain the title from the seller. This is safer than agreeing to receiving it at a later date.
8. Visit your County Clerk’s office with the above documents and:
   • Proofs of identification and residency.
   • The titling fee of $10.50, in addition to your County Clerk’s fee.
   • Taxes based on the purchase price. This may vary by location, so call ahead.
   • If applicable, your own license plate. (This only applies if you’re transferring it from another vehicle. See below for registration information.)

NOTE: Unless you qualify for a Title Only, you’ll title and register your vehicle at the same time. It’s important to begin the process as soon as possible because you need the registration to operate the vehicle. Please refer to our section on vehicle registration for information about registering your vehicle and additional fees.

Top Removing a Lien

Your lienholder will most likely handle this process for you.

1. Within 72 hours of discharging your lien, your lienholder will submit either a Notice of Discharge of Lien or a copy of your title, with the lien release recorded, to the Taxpayer and Vehicle Services Division.
2. Your lienholder will then send you the vehicle’s title with the lien release properly recorded.
3. If you wish to obtain a new title, you can apply for a duplicate.

Top Transferring to Family

When two lineal family members transfer vehicle ownership between each other, the new owner doesn’t have to pay taxes.

Lineal family members include:

• Grandparents and great-grandparents

• Grandchildren and great-grandchildren

• Spouses and spouses of lineal relatives

• Parents

• Siblings

• Children

To transfer a title between two lineal family members:

1. The former owner must complete and sign the title as the “seller.”
2. The new owner must complete and sign the title as the “buyer.”
3. The former owner must provide an accurate Odometer Disclosure Statement, and both parties must sign the statement.
4. Both the former owner and new owner must complete a Gift/Low Selling Price Affidavit (Form RV-F 1301201). (
5. If applicable, the former owner must provide emissions testing information; otherwise, the new owner must submit the vehicle for emissions testing before registering it.
6. The former owner must remove his license plate and give the title to the new owner.
7. The new owner must visit his County Clerk’s office with the above documents and:
   • Proofs of identification and residency.
   • The titling fee of $10.50 plus the County Clerk’s fee.
   • His own license plate (only if he wishes to transfer it to the newly acquired vehicle).

While he’s at his County Clerk’s office, the new owner will also register the vehicle. Visit Car Registration for details about the steps and fees involved with registering vehicles.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

The process to transfer the title of a gifted vehicle is similar to any other title transfer process; however, the recipient may have to pay taxes based on the vehicle’s fair market value depending on the situation.

As the recipient, be prepared to:

1. Have the gifter complete and sign the title as the “seller.”
2. Complete and sign the title as the “buyer.”
3. Complete a Gift/Low Selling Price Affidavit (Form RV-F 1301201) with the gifter.
4. Sign the Odometer Disclosure Statement with the gifter once you make sure it’s accurate.
5. If required, obtain emissions testing information. If the gifter doesn’t have it, you must have your vehicle tested before registering it (see below).
6. Make sure the gifter removes his license plates and gives you the title.
7. Visit your County Clerk’s office with the above documents and:
   • Proofs of identification and residency.
   • The titling fee of $10.50 and your County Clerk’s fee.
   • If applicable, taxes based on the fair market value. Please call ahead.
   • If applicable, the license plate you’d like to transfer to the vehicle.

Keep in mind you’ll most likely register the vehicle during the same visit. Visit our Car Registration pagefor details about the registration process and additional registration fees.

Top Donating a Vehicle

Donating a vehicle is a great way to help a person or charity in need, and our section on vehicle donation offers tips on how to get started.

And, because donating a vehicle also presents tax benefits, you’ll want to consult a tax attorney before handing over the keys.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

Because the process to complete a title transfer varies depending on the situation, it’s always best to speak with a clerk at your County Clerk’s office, any current lienholders, and perhaps consult a probate attorney, for exact details.

However, you can expect to take these steps:

1. Locate the title and any applicable legal documents related to the death, such as the death certificate, a will, and any documents naming you as the power of attorney or executor of the estate.
2. Complete and have notarized an Affidavit of Inheritance.
3. Visit your County Clerk’s office with the above documents, possible whomever is the power of attorney or executor of the estate, and:
• Proofs of identification and residency.
• The titling fee of $10.50 and your County Clerk’s fee.
• Any required taxes (see below).
• Any license plate you’d like to transfer to the vehicle.

You’ll likely register the vehicle while you’re there, and because it’s the law, now is as good a time as any to make sure you meet financial responsibility requirements.

NOTE ON TAXES: If another legal owner gifts the vehicle to you, you may not have to pay taxes. In this case, you’ll complete a Gift/Low Selling Price Affidavit (Form RV-F 1301201) with the person gifting you the vehicle. However, if you simply inherit the vehicle, you may need to pay taxes. Please contact your County Clerk’s office with details about your specific situation, or call (800) 342-1003 for information about inheritance taxes.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Locate the legal documents that prove your correct or new name. These may include a birth certificate, a marriage certificate, a divorce decree, or another court document.
2. Head to your County Clerk’s office with the title and the above documents, as well as proof of identification and the appropriate fees. These fees include the titling and the registration fees (because you’ll remove the name from the registration, too), and may therefore vary by county.

Ordering a vital record is an easy way to make sure you have proof of your real name when the situation calls for it. For more information keeping your name current with both the Department of Safety and the Department of Revenue, visit Changing Your Name.

Deleting a Name

1. Have both parties properly sign the title. If “and” joins the names, all parties must sign. If “or” joins the names, only one party must sign.
2. Locate any legal documents that support the name deletion. If this includes a divorce decree, make sure the decree specifically identifies the vehicle with the vehicle identification number (VIN).
3. If applicable, locate any lien information and complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
4. Bring the title, all legal documents, and the appropriate fees (including fees for registration to your County Clerk’s office.

Adding a Name

1. Locate the title, and sign your name as both the “seller” and the “buyer.”
2. Have the new owner also sign as the “buyer.”
3. Visit your County Clerk’s office with the properly signed title and:
   • Proofs of identification and residency.
   • A completed Gift/Low Selling Price Affidavit (Form RV-F 1301201).
   • The titling and registration fees. You may need to call ahead for the total amount.

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