Title Transfers

All vehicle titling issues in the State of Wyoming are handled at the county level through the locally elected clerk. Each is guided by the state statutes, so there is not much variation from county to county in the procedures.

Motor vehicles, whether new or used, bought from a dealer or individual, or brought in from out of state, need to have a Wyoming title in the name of the current owner. However, there are a few exceptions.

Exempt Vehicles

• Boats―but all watercraft must be registered through the Department of Gaming and Fish. For more information on the process, refer to our Boat Registration section.

• Federal vehicles owned by the U.S. government.

• Mopeds.

• Snowmobiles.

• Farm equipment and tractors.

• Trailers weighing no more than 1,000 pounds.

Note on forms: There are 23 counties spread out across the vast spaces of Wyoming, and although most policies regarding registration and titling a vehicle are standardized, there is not a set list of forms available. Thus, some counties, especially the more populated ones like Laramie and Natrona, have created their own sets of generic forms that can, in most cases, be used in counties that do not have any set of forms.

Links to easily accessible county forms:

• Teton County

• Natrona County

• Laramie County

• Sweetwater County

• Park County

New Vehicles Never Titled

In just about every instance, when you buy a new vehicle from a dealership, all of the necessary paperwork involved in the titling of the vehicle is automatically sent by the dealer to the proper county clerk's office (or the financing bank, which in turn gets it to the county). Once the county receives the information, it will notify the buyer and the titling process will begin.

When the vehicle is being leased or financed, the title will be delivered to the appropriate lienholder. If the vehicle is purchased outright, then the title will be sent directly to the buyer.

If for some reason you do buy an automobile from the one dealership that does not process the title paperwork, this is what you will need to bring to the county clerk's office:

• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO).

• Odometer reading (this may not be necessary if it is stated on the MSO).

• A Wyoming Sales/Use Tax form (this will be furnished by the dealer).

• Dealer invoice or Affidavit of Vehicle Valuation form (these are used to calculate the costs of the license plates).

• A completed county Application for Wyoming Title form, which you will need notarization.

• Payment of the $9 title fee.

Used Vehicles with a Wyoming Title

When buying an automobile from an individual or a previously owned vehicle from an authorized dealer, there are quite a few documents and procedures you will need to go through to transfer the title into your name. Again, if the purchase is from a dealer, much of this paperwork will be automatically provided to the county clerk's office.

• Current title, notarized and containing all relevant signatures involved in the sale.

• Odometer reading (if vehicle is less than 10 years old).

• Bill of sale, notarized and signed by both the buyer and seller (see DMV.ORG's Bill of Sale section if you need a copy or an idea of what needs to be presented on the form}.

• Completed and notarized Wyoming Application for Title form.

• A statement of damage disclosure, which gives the buyer a heads up if the vehicle has endured more than $4,000 of damage in a single accident (vehicles older than 10 years are exempt from this requirement).

• A dealer invoice and Wyoming Sales/Use Tax form only if purchased off a lot.

• Payment of the title fee (varies by county).

Used Vehicles with Out-of-State Titles

Oddly enough, many vehicles purchased in state still maintain an out-of-state title. And considering many of Wyoming's population centers (such as Cheyenne) are a mere snowball toss from other borders (such as Colorado, Utah, and Idaho), it is easy to buy a vehicle in another state. That said, these titles from out of state will need to be transferred to the Wyoming version, and that requires the following:

• The original title having all the necessary signatures of those involved with the sale. Quite a few states no longer require titles to be notarized, but some Wyoming counties may require notarization if there is a spot for it on the title. (So in that case, it is a good idea to have a notary witness the signing process.). The title needs also to have all liens against it terminated.

• Vehicle identification number (VIN) verification from an applicable Wyoming law enforcement officer. The fee for this service is $5. Call your local county office for service providers in your area.

• Completed and notarized Wyoming Title Application.

• An odometer check when the vehicle in question is less than 10 years old.

• The completion of a damage disclosure form stating whether or not the vehicle has been involved in an accident and whether that accident caused more than $7,500 in damage.

• Payment of the title fee (varies by county).

Applying for a Duplicate Title

If the title of your vehicle has been lost or destroyed, you can apply for a replacement either in person or by mail. A duplicate title application must be completed, signed by all the owning parties, and notarized. Wyoming law insists upon an 11-day waiting period before a duplicate title can be issued. The fee for the duplicate varies by county.

Correcting a Title

If you need to add someone to or remove someone from a title or correct information due to a name change because of marriage or divorce, you should check with your local county clerk's office for the appropriate procedure. You will probably be required to bring along other supporting legal documents―such as proof of marriage, divorce, or inheritance―in order to receive the new title.

Vehicles as Gifts

Getting or giving a vehicle as a gift to a friend or family member is pretty much the same as any other title transfer. You still need to sign over the title and complete a bill of sale, listing yourself as the "seller" and the recipient as the "buyer" (the purchase price will be $0). The recipient of the vehicle will need to go through all the regular steps to register his or her new vehicle, including getting a new title and paying any necessary sales tax.