Title Transfers in Virginia

What is a Title Transfer?

In order to keep track of current, legal owners―and sometimes lienholders―each vehicle has a title. A title transfer must take place whenever information on the title changes. Although the DMV doesn’t impose time restrictions regarding title transfers, it’s best to complete them as soon as possible to ensure everything is in order and on record.

You must complete a title transfer whenever you:

• Buy or sell a vehicle

• Satisfy a lien

• Transfer vehicle ownership to a certain family member

• Give a vehicle as a gift

• Donate a vehicle.

• Inherit a vehicle

• Make a name change, or add or delete a name from the title

Selling a Vehicle

Because potential buyers need to feel good about your vehicle, you want to put its best foot―or wheel―forward. Offer a Vehicle History Report (VHR) helps you do just that. A VHR provides the buyer with information about the vehicle’s past, and helps them make an informed and confident decision.

Once it’s time to transfer the title to the buyer:

1. If applicable, you must first contact your lienholder about the sale and make sure the DMV receives a Transfer of Certificate of Lien Information form.
2. Properly complete, sign, and date the title as the “seller.” Make sure you:
   • Record the correct odometer reading. If the title doesn’t provide space, complete an Odometer Disclosure Statement with the buyer.
   • Include the purchase price; the buyer needs this when he visits the DMV. If the title doesn’t provide space, complete a Bill of Sale for vehicles older than five years old or a Supplemental Information for Procurement of Title if the vehicle is five years old or newer.
3. Make sure the buyer properly completes, signs, and dates the title.
4. Remove your license plate and give the title (and any other applicable documents listed above) to the seller so he can visit the DMV to finish the transfer.

Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

Your dealer will conveniently handle the title transfer for you.

Before you visit the dealership, consider shopping online for a new vehicle to get a head start.

Used Cars

You can save money when you shop for affordable vehicles, but always be sure to obtain a VHR to make yourself aware of potentially expensive problems in the future.

Once you have your eye on a vehicle, look for an auto finance option that fits your budget, and an affordable car insurance policy that meets the minimum liability coverage requirements.

When it’s time to transfer the title:

1. Obtain any current lienholder information from the seller. If the seller is transferring a lien with the title, you may need to complete a Transfer of Certificate of Lien Information form.
2. Make sure the seller completes, signs, and dates the title as the “seller.”
3. Before you complete, sign, and date the title as the “buyer,” make sure the seller:
   • Records the correct odometer reading or provides you with an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
   • Includes the purchase price on the title, or provides you with a Bill of Sale if the vehicle is older than five years old or a Supplemental Information for Procurement of Title if the vehicle is five years old or newer. You must have one of these forms of proof of purchase price when you visit the DMV.
4. Make sure the seller removes his license plate and gives you the title.
5. Visit your DMV with the above documents and:
   • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.
   • Proof of your address.
   • $10 for the titling fee.
   • The appropriate Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax.

You can title and register your vehicle during the same visit; of course, you must make sure you’re ready to take the steps included in the registration process, which include additional fees and possibly an emissions inspection. View Car Registration for details.

Removing a Lien

Once you pay off your car loan, you and your lienholder will take one of two steps, depending on your situation:

1. If you and your lienholder are involved with the Electronic Lien Program (ELP), your lienholder will handle the release and title transfer for you. The DMV will update your records and send you a new title.
2. If you and your lienholder are not involved with the ELP, your lienholder will record the lien satisfaction on the title and mail it to you. You must then visit your DMV with the title and $10 titling fee.

For more information about the ELP, visit the state’s page.

Transferring to Family

The DMV doesn’t require certain family members to pay the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax when transferring a title. These family members include:

• Parents

• Spouses

• Children

Follow these steps once any of the above family members are ready to transfer the title:

1. If applicable, have the former owner contact his lienholder. The lienholder and both parties may need to complete a Transfer of Certificate of Lien Information form.
2. Have the former owner complete, sign, and date the title as the “seller,” and make sure he records the correct odometer reading or completes an Odometer Disclosure Statement with the new owner.
3. Have the new owner complete, sign, and date the title as the “buyer.”
4. In addition to recording the purchase price as “gift” or “family transfer” on the title, both parties should include the information on a completed Bill of Sale if the vehicle is older than five years old or a Supplemental Information for Procurement of Title if the vehicle is five years old or newer to satisfy the DMV.
5. Complete a notarized Purchasers Statement of Tax Exemption.
6. The former owner must remove his license plate and hand over the title to the new owner.
7. The new owner must visit his DMV with the above documents and:
   • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.
   • Proof of his address.
   • $10 for the titling fee.

The new owner can also register the vehicle at the DMV. The registration process includes a number of additional steps, such as a potential emissions inspection, so please refer to Car Registration for details.

Gifting a Vehicle

Unless the vehicle and recipient are specifically exempt from paying the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax, the recipient must pay the tax based on the NADA Official Used Car Guide. It’s best to first find the value or contact the DMV to determine the correct tax amount.

As the recipient of a gifted vehicle you must:

1. Make sure the former owner handles any applicable processes with his lienholder. This may include completing a Transfer of Certificate of Lien Information form.
2. Have the former owner complete, sign, and date the title as the “seller.”
3. Before you complete, sign, and date the title as the “buyer,” check to see that the former owner:
   • Includes the correct odometer reading. If there’s no space on the title, ask for an Odometer Disclosure Statement.
   • Records “gift” on the title. In some instances, you may also need either a Bill of Sale if the vehicle is older than five years old or a Supplemental Information for Procurement of Title if the vehicle is five years old or newer. Check with the DMV.
4. Have the former owner remove his license plate and give you the title.
5. Visit your DMV with the above documents and:
   • A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.
   • Proof of your address}.
   • $10 for the titling fee.
   • If applicable, the appropriate Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax based on your NADA trade-in value.

You can spare yourself some time when you handle the registration during the same trip. Please refer to Car Registration for details about registering the vehicle, including additional fees and a possible emissions inspection requirement.

Donating a Vehicle

Before you donate your vehicle, visit our section on vehicle donation for tips regarding authorized charities and paperwork.

Keep in mind a tax attorney can help you with the paperwork involved with the tax benefits of vehicle donation.

Inheriting a Vehicle

The exact steps you take to transfer an inherited vehicle may vary depending on whether:

• You already had joint ownership of the vehicle.

• You inherited the vehicle in a will.

• You or someone else is the executor of the estate, or there is no executor of the estate.

It’s wise to contact a probate attorney and the DMV for specific details, as well as any applicable current lienholders.

Take note of these general steps to get started:

1. Locate the:
   • Current title.
   • Proofs of your identity and address.
   • The certified or notarized death certificate.
   • If applicable, a notarized copy of the will or a completed Statement of Authority to Assign Title.
   • If applicable, the court document or will naming the executor of the estate.
2. Complete the transaction at your DMV office. Be sure to bring the above documents and the executor if applicable, as well as the $10 titling fee and the Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax if your situation calls for it.

NOTE: If you plan to register the vehicle while you’re at the DMV, make sure you understand the steps and fees involved in the registration process, including proof of insurance.

For more information about transferring the title of an inherited vehicle, refer to the state’s instructions.

Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Complete an Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles.
2. Complete an Application for Change of Existing Vehicle Record.
3. Visit your DMV with the above applications and:
   • The current title.
   • The legal documents that support your name change or correction (marriage certificate, divorce decree, birth certificate, or other court document).
   • The titling fee of $10.

Presenting an accepted court decree or document is a sure-fire way to show proof of your legal name. Visit Changing Your Name for more information about updating the DMV with any name changes or corrections.

Deleting a Name

1. Sign your name on the title as the “seller,” and have the person who’s leaving the title do the same.
2. Sign your name as the “buyer.”
3. Complete an Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles.
4. Complete an Application for Change of Existing Vehicle Record.
5. Visit the DMV with the title, completed applications, and fee of $10.

Adding a Name

1. Complete an Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles.
2. Complete an Application for Change of Existing Vehicle Record.
3. Visit your DMV with the title and above applications, as well as the additional person and $10 fee.

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