Top What is a Title Transfer?

A vehicle’s title is the document that shows ownership. When vehicle ownership changes, a title transfer must take place at your County Clerk’s office. Common situations that require title transfers include:

• Buying or selling a vehicle

• Satisfying a lien

• Transferring to another family member

• Gifting, donating, or inheriting a vehicle

• Changing, deleting, or adding a name

Top Selling a Vehicle

Past damage, hidden mechanical problems, sketchy VINs―buyers know private sells can be disastrous unless they do their homework.

You can help potential buyers feel confident in your vehicle and your motives when you order a vehicle history report to present to interested buyers. A vehicle history report (VHR) provides everything reported about a particular vehicle’s history, including title checks, previous damage, and even accidents. Learn more when you visit our section on VHRs.

Once you’ve sold the vehicle, follow these steps for a proper title transfer:

1. Complete and have notarized a bill of sale with the buyer.
2. Make sure both you and the buyer properly sign and date the title.
3. If the vehicle is fewer than 10 years old, record the current odometer reading on the title.
4. Head to your County Clerk’s office with the buyer, where the two of you will obtain and complete additional required forms (which may include a title application form, a statement of damage disclosure, and a vehicle identification number form), have the title and all forms notarized, and pay the appropriate fees.

NOTE: Because Wyoming leaves it to each county to handle title transfers, you may run into step variations here and there. It’s wise to contact your County Clerk’s office to ask about available online forms (some have them; others don’t), the forms required for your specific situation, and exact fees.

Top Buying a Vehicle

New Cars

When you buy a new car from a dealer, the dealer will send the appropriate paperwork to your County Clerk’s office. Once that office receives it, someone will contact you to begin the title transfer process.

Before you actually make a purchase, shop around online to compare prices and possibly read some reviews.

Used Cars

Buying a used car can get you an attractive, reliable vehicle while saving you a good chunk of money, but you want to plan accordingly before jumping into the sale.

Choosing a vehicle that meets your budget needs takes priority, and selecting the best auto financing option for your budget factors into that. Of course, you’re also going to dole out the cash for insurance each month, so visit our Insurance Center to compare coverage options and rates.

Always be careful to avoid letting low dollar amounts make or break your purchase. Order a Vehicle History Report to make sure you are indeed getting a good deal.

Once you’re sure you’ve found the right vehicle, follow these steps for a smooth transaction:

1. In case the seller forgets or isn’t able to obtain one, make sure you have a bill of sale form for you and the seller to complete and have notarized.
2. Properly sign and date the title, and if the vehicle is fewer than 10 years old, check to see that the seller has recorded the accurate odometer reading on the title.
3. Visit the County Clerk’s office with the seller to complete additional paperwork (such as a title application form and possible a statement of damage disclosure form and vehicle identification number form) and have everything notarized. This is also where you’ll pay the appropriate fees, which vary by county.

NOTE: Once the purchase is final, you have 30 days to register the vehicle and 50 days to pay the sales tax. To save yourself a future trip, you may want to go ahead and visit your County Treasurer’s office to handle these transactions.

Top Removing a Lien

Once you pay off your loan, you’ll need to remove the lienholder’s name from the title. Generally you’ll have 30 days to do so, but because each County sets its own policies, it’s best to contact your County Clerk’s office for details.

Expect to follow these steps, unless your County Clerk’s office sends you in a different direction:

1. Obtain a lien release or termination statement from your lender. Your lender will most likely send this in the mail, but you may need to request one.
2. Visit your County Clerk’s office with the vehicle title, lien release, and appropriate fee (which varies by county, so call ahead for an exact number).

Top Transferring to Family

At some point, a family may want to transfer vehicle ownership from one member to another. Family members may include:

• Spouses

• Parents, children, and siblings

• Grandparents and grandchildren

The exact process to transfer vehicle ownership from one family member to the next will depend on each County’s policies; however, be prepared to take the following steps:

1. Have the current owner sign and date the title as the “seller.”
2. Have the new owner sign and date the title as the “purchaser.”
3. Call ahead to the County Clerk’s office to ask about additional paperwork, exact fees, and any required sales tax.

Top Gifting a Vehicle

When you receive a vehicle as a gift, you will go through basically the same steps as you would if you purchased the vehicle. Prepare to take the following steps while keeping in mind your County Clerk’s office has the final say regarding procedures:

1. Make sure the gifter signs and dates the title as the “seller.”
2. Sign and date the title yourself as the “purchaser.”
3. Complete and have notarized a bill of sale with the gifter, entering “0” as the purchase price.
4. Head to your County Clerk’s office with the title, notarized bill of sale, and appropriate fees and sales tax (exact amounts depend on your location, so call ahead for details.)

As the new owner, you’ll also need to register the vehicle in your name. Please refer to Car Registration for further details.

Top Donating a Vehicle

Donating a vehicle is a great way to contribute to charity. Our section on vehicle donation offers tips on how to find and research qualified charities.

Too, donating a vehicle often brings tax benefits, so you probably will want to consult a tax attorney for specific details.

Top Inheriting a Vehicle

The steps you’ll take to transfer vehicle ownership after the original owner has passed away, and the time frame in which you can make the transfer, depend on your location.

Regardless of where you live, it’s best to contact a probate attorney to help you prepare for the following general steps:

1. Look at the name(s) on the title. If you’re already on the title, determine whether “and” or “or” connects your name with the deceased’s name (your process will depend on this). If you’re not already on the title, make sure the deceased’s name is the only name on the title (another name on the title means someone else owns the vehicle).
2. Locate the Affidavit of Survivorship and the deceased’s Certificate of Death. You’ll need to present these at the County Clerk’s office.
3. Contact your County Clerk’s office to ask about specific fees, taxes, and additional paperwork before paying the office a visit.

Once the vehicle belongs to you, you’ll need to register it and make sure you purchase an insurance policy that meets minimum coverage requirements. Visit our Insurance Center to shop around for the best rate.

Top Making Name Corrections

Changing a Name

1. Gather up proof of your correct legal name, or proof that your name has changed. Such documents may include a birth certificate, marriage license, or divorce decree.
2. Contact your County Clerk’s office for further instructions and appropriate fees specific to your county.

Obtaining a vital record will help you in instances when you need to prove your legal name, such as when you’re applying for a driver’s license or your vehicle’s title. Our Changing Your Name section provides more information about updating the WYDOT with your name changes.

Deleting a Name

1. Determine whether “and” or “or” joins the names on the title (your process will depend on this information; if “and” connects the names, the person leaving the title may need to be present.)
2. Call your County Clerk’s office to find out your County’s exact procedures and fees for removing the extra name from the title.

Adding a Name

1. Make sure the new owner is available to provide his signature on the title and any necessary forms.
2. Get in touch with your County Clerk’s office and ask about the County’s specific policies and fee.

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