Title Transfers

The legal document that shows vehicle ownership is called a title. Vehicles often have more than one owner, in which case the owners' names are either joined by "and" or "and/or" on the title. If the names are joined by "and," both owners are required to sign the title documents in order for a title transfer or vehicle sale to be legal. If the names are joined by "and/or," either owner can sign the title document.

Note that you don't need a driver's license to hold a vehicle title in West Virginia.

Titling Your Vehicle

In West Virginia, each highway vehicle, all-terrain vehicle and boat must be titled when purchased. Titling can be taken care of at the same time as registration.

If you purchase your vehicle new and it has never been titled, you will need to complete a title application form, Form DMV-1-TR, and present a manufacturer's statement of origin (MSO). A licensed dealer can accept and submit your titling fees for you, just as with the registration process. This includes fees for a lien on the vehicle. The dealer can also transfer your license plate or issue you a temporary plate.

If you purchase the vehicle used from an individual, both you and the previous owner must sign the back of the current title for you to present at the time you title your vehicle. You may apply for the title and registration by mail or at your local Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office. There are also privately owned license services located in many communities that can handle the titling for you.

Special Circumstances

Sometimes titling processes vary. Below are a few less-common situations and how to handle them.

Changing Your Name

Changing your name on your vehicle's title requires legal documents showing proof of a name change, such as a divorce decree, marriage certificate, or other court documents. Present these to your local DMV office when you apply for a new title.

Adding or Deleting Names

The process to add or delete a name depends on how the names are joined.

If they are joined by "or," whoever wants to stay on the title can visit the local DMV office and drop the other party at any time. If the names are joined by "and," both parties must sign the back of the title. The person being deleted signs as the seller, while the person remaining signs as the purchaser and pays 5% of the current low-book value of the vehicle.

The process works the same for adding a name.

Gifts

If the vehicle was given as a gift by an immediate family member, the title must be signed over and no taxes are charged.

If the vehicle was given as a gift by anyone else, the title must be signed over and a tax of 5% of the low-book value of the vehicle will be charged.

Death

Handling the title and registration of a vehicle when the original owner is deceased is a thorough process and depends on several factors such as whether the names of any co-owners are joined with "and" or "or" and whether an executor is needed.

Check our Registration FAQs section for a detailed outline of the process to change the name on the title when the original owner is deceased.

Out-of-State Titles

If your vehicle is titled out of state, you must submit the completed Form DMV-1-TR, along with the out-of-state title with your signature and the previous owner's signature. If you don't have the title because you are still paying on the vehicle and there has been no change in ownership, you will need to submit the following:

• A completed Form DMV-1-TR.

• Insurance information (must be an insurance company licensed to work in West Virginia).

• The lienholder's mailing address and statement that he or she is holding the title.

• A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form DMV-TM-1).

• The appropriate fees (see below).

New residents in West Virginia have 30 days after establishing residency to title and register their vehicles.

Titling Fees

Since titling and registration are normally handled at the same time, the fees are the same for both processes.

• A 5% privilege tax, based on the purchase price of the vehicle, if you paid at least half of the vehicle's book value; if not, you will pay 5% of the low book value.

• If you purchased the vehicle for less than 50% of the loan value as reported by "The Automobile Red Book," the tax will be based on the loan value unless you present a notarized bill of sale.

• If you are moving to West Virginia from out of state, the tax will be based on the loan value of the vehicle as reported by "The Automobile Red Book."

• $5 to record any lien information.

• $30 for your license plate.

• $10 for your title.

It's important to remember that if you purchase your vehicle from a dealer, you'll be charged tax only on the purchase price. The tax will be based on The Automobile Red Book loan value if you purchase the vehicle from an individual and it is less than two years old, regardless of the purchase price.

Paying Off Your Loan

After you make the final vehicle payment, apply for a clear title at your local DMV office once you receive the title and the lien is released. The lien will remain on record with the DMV until you do so―this could pose problematic delays if you lose the title, as you would need to contact the original lienholder for a lien release.

Titling Facts to Remember

• Don't buy a vehicle from an individual seller unless he or she has the title, it is in his or her name, and he or she can put it in your hands at the time of the sale.

• Check that the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the title matches the VIN on the vehicle.

• Check that the odometer reading on the title is the same as that recorded in the vehicle.