Title Transfers

When and Where to Transfer a Title

When a motor vehicle changes hands, the certificate of title for the vehicle must be reassigned to the new owner. The certificate of title is, in fact, the certificate of ownership. Assigning the title to the new owner is called transferring the title.

In Texas, the title transfer process can vary depending on the reason the title is being transferred. But the transaction is generally handled by your local County Tax Assessor-Collectors office or one of its designees.

What to Do

To transfer a title in Texas, the vehicle must be insured. If the title is being transferred within 30 days of a normal sale, the previous insurance will be sufficient. After 30 days, a new insurance policy must be purchased prior to the official transfer of title.

Title transfer fees are $28, or $33 if you live in an "emissions impacted" county.

It is the responsibility of the buyer to obtain proper insurance and to meet all other normal requirements for driving a vehicle, such as maintaining a driver license and completing the necessary steps for vehicle registration.

In order to change or update information on your vehicle title (such as your legal name, or to add or delete owners from the title), all parties involved must go in person to the County Tax Assessor-Collectors office. If you've had your name legally changed, you will need to present proof of that change such as a marriage certificate or court order.

Buying and Selling a Vehicle

Usually, the simplest title transfer is between two parties: one buyer and one seller.

The certificate of title that the seller has includes a space for signing over the title to someone else. The seller will fill out this section and then give the title certificate to the buyer. It's a good idea to also provide a bill of sale.

The seller should also sign a copy of the buyer's title application (Form 130-U). The buyer then has one month (20 working days) to take the title application and the signed-over title to the County Tax Assessor-Collectors office and use them to transfer the title formally into their name.

When purchasing cars from private parties, it is a good idea to have a copy of the title application (Form 130-U) with you. In addition to the form, there is also a detailed instruction sheet and definition of terms that you may download to help you correctly complete the paperwork.

The same title application is used when vehicles are given as a gift or as an even trade.

Protecting Yourself After a Sale

If you have sold a vehicle, one of the most important things you can do is pay $5 to submit the Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346). While it is the responsibility of the buyer to apply for a title after purchasing your vehicle, they may not do this. You may end up receiving registration renewal notices, parking tickets, and other correspondence that no longer applies to you.

While the buyer has up to 30 days to file for a title, you can immediately file the Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification, giving you a little more peace of mind in the event that the buyer fails to title the vehicle before racking up tickets.

Less Common Title Transfer Situations

• Giving a car as a gift: If you wish to hand over your car to another person without receiving payment, you must sign the title over to that person and have the recipient complete a title application. The recipient should present these items to the County Tax Assessor-Collectors office. On the title application, the recipient must check the $10 gift tax box located in section 21.

• Deceased spouse: The County Tax Assessor-Collectors office will have to determine whether the title to the vehicle has been transferred through a will or other process. Check your title; if both you and your spouse were on the title when you bought the car, you may have rights of survivorship. If the deceased owner of the car was not your spouse, but you believe you are entitled ownership of the vehicle, consult legal counsel as well as the County Tax Assessor-Collectors office for further instruction.

• Divorced spouse: The County Tax Assessor-Collectors office will look at your divorce decree to see whether the vehicle is clearly included in it. Otherwise, you will have to go through the entire title transfer process, which will require the cooperation of your ex.

• Lost title papers (in your name): Fill out the Application for Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34) and submit it to the County Tax Assessor-Collectors office. You will need to provide proof of your identity.

• Lost title papers (unknown owner): If you are in possession of a vehicle and all logical methods have failed to find either its paperwork or its previous owner, you may apply for a bonded title. This is a title that requires that you purchase a bond to potentially reimburse a legitimate owner if and when he or she shows up to claim the vehicle. In this situation, you will also have to fill out the Statement of Fact supplement (Form 130-SOF) in addition to the title application (Form 130-U). After three years of holding a bonded title, a regular title can then be issued to you.

Most questions on vehicle title and registration should be addressed to your local County Tax Assessor-Collectors office. If you have additional questions, you may contact the Department of Transportation Vehicle Titles and Registration Division help desk by phone at (512) 465-7611.