Title Transfers

Have you just bought or otherwise acquired a new or used car? Paid off a loan on a car you've had for some time? Decided to add another person as one of the vehicle's owners? Then you need to make changes to your vehicle's title. The title to a vehicle is a legal document confirming the vehicle's legal owner or owners.

You don't need a driver's license to hold the title to a vehicle. You also don't need to be of legal age; those under 18 years old can hold a vehicle title, but a parent or guardian needs to fill out the Consent to Purchase section on the back of the title application.

The applications you'll find in this section can be viewed using the free Adobe Reader.

Title for a New Vehicle

If you are purchasing a new or used vehicle that has never been titled in your name before, you can complete all the titling requirements along with the rest of your transfer paperwork. See our page about vehicle registration for details.

If you've purchased your new or used vehicle from a dealership, the dealer is required by law to process your title and registration paperwork within seven days of the date of purchase. If you need further information, the DMV has prepared a section for you about dealer titling and registration.

Title Changes

If you already own a vehicle, and need to make changes to the title of your vehicle, the DMV has information on each of these transactions:

• Transfer a vehicle to a surviving spouse.

• Transfer a vehicle to an heir.

• Removing a lien.

• Replacement or duplicate title.

• Change of name.

• Transfer title from out-of-state.

Note that the paperwork involved in adding or removing an owner is the same as if you were selling the vehicle. See our section on vehicle registration for further details.

Transfer to a Surviving Spouse

If you need to transfer the ownership of a vehicle from a deceased spouse to a surviving spouse, you may do so for up to five vehicles registered in the name of the deceased by submitting the following:

• A completed Statement of Transfer of Vehicle(s) to a Surviving Spouse or Surviving Heir form.

• The current certificate of title showing the deceased as owner.

• A completed Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application.

• Check or Money Order for $62 transfer fee.

In the case of title transfer to an heir, the above applies as long as the value of the vehicle or vehicles does not exceed $50,000.

Removing a Lien

There's no feeling as great as the one you get when finally paying off a loan or other obligation on a piece of personal property. Here's what you need to send to the DMV in order to remove a lienholder from your title and have a new, clean title issued to you:

• Your original Wisconsin title; no photocopies.

• The lien release card that your lender sent to you.

If you have lost your lien release card, or if it has been destroyed, you may have the lender supply you with a letter on their letterhead with the following information:

• The make and model of the vehicle.

• The vehicle identification number (VIN)―you can find the VIN on either your registration card or on the vehicle itself.

• The authorized person's signature.

• That person's job title or position.

• The lien release date.

Or, your lender may stamp your title "PAID" as long as that person also writes the following on the title:

• The name of the financial institution.

• The signature of the person who is releasing the lien.

• That person's job title or position.

• The lien release date.

There is no fee for a lien release and new title if you mail the request to the DMV. You may send your documentation to:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation

• P.O. Box 7949

• Madison, WI 53707-7949

You should receive your new, clear title in about six weeks.

Replacement or Duplicate Title

It's easy to replace a lost, stolen, or destroyed vehicle title in Wisconsin. Here's the information you'll need to submit:

• A completed Title & License Plate application.

• Vehicle identification number (VIN).

• Registered owner's full name and complete address.

• Registered owner's signature.

• Check or money order for $20 for the replacement title.

• An additional $4 for priority service.

Mail the above to:

• Wisconsin Department of Transportation

• P.O. Box 7306

• Madison, WI 53707-7306

Or you may apply for the replacement title in person at your DMV service center. Be sure you have proper identification with you when you go, as this is required for a duplicate title.

Send Someone to Pick Up Your Title

If you are unable to go to the DMV in person to pick up your title, you must complete and sign a Permission to Pick Up Title form before the DMV will release the title to anyone but the person listed on the vehicle's title. The person listed on the form will be required to show ID before the title can be released to him/her.

Name Change on a Title

If you change your name due to marriage or other reason, you will need to update your vehicle title with your new name.

However, before you can change your title, you will need to take the following steps, in order:

1. Change your name on your Social Security card.
2. Change your name on your driver's license.

The change on the Social Security card is required in order to change your name on your driver's license, and the updated driver's license is required before you may change your title.

However, once you have changed your name on your driver's license, your name is changed on everything you have on file with the DMV. The next time the DMV sends you a new title or registration, it will show your new name.

If you want to obtain a title with your new name immediately, you may request one when you change your name with the DMV and have paid the $5 fee for the new title.

Adding or Deleting a Name on Title

Any time a name is added or deleted on a title, Wisconsin treats it like a change of ownership and requires:

• A completed Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application.

• A reassigned title with the odometer reading.

• A $69.50 title-transfer fee.

• A license plate renewal fee if the plates have expired, or a new license plate fee if new plates are needed.

Transfer From Out of State

Wisconsin requires that you change your license plates within two days of your residency. You will need to go in person to your local DMV service center and provide the following:

• Completed Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application.

• Vehicle title registration document from your previous state; you must surrender this title, as it will be replaced with a Wisconsin title.

• If you've owned the vehicle for fewer than 90 days, you must provide proof of sales tax paid to your former state.

You will be issued a set of temporary license plates at the DMV counter. The fee for the temporary plates is $3 above the other transfer fees.

You should receive your new Wisconsin license plates in approximately six weeks.

Gift Transfers

If someone gives you a vehicle as a gift, you will need to submit:

• A completed Wisconsin Title and License Plate Application. Make sure in section D you write "zero, gift" as the purchase price.

• A reassigned title with the odometer reading.

• A $69.50 title-transfer fee.

RVs, Trailers, Mobile Homes, and Motor Homes

DMV.ORG provides our RV & Motorhome Registration section to help you register and title these types of vehicles.