Title Transfers in Missouri

Title Transfers in Missouri

All Missouri residents must have a title for their vehicle, issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue (DOR). The title shows who owns the vehicle. If there are multiple owners, or a lienholder, all the owners will be listed on the title.

A title transfer happens any time you change information on the title for any reason. This page will walk you through the most common reasons a person would need to change the title on their vehicle.

If you are planning to drive your vehicle right away, you can register your vehicle at the same time you title it. Visit our page on registering a car in Missouri for steps on how to register.

New to Missouri?

Once you establish yourself as a resident of Missouri, you will need to get a Missouri title for your vehicle(s) within 30 days. You will also need to register the vehicle at the same time, if you plan on driving your vehicle right away.

Visit your local license office and submit:

  • Your out-of-state vehicle title.
    • If a lienholder currently holds your title, submit your out-of-state vehicle registration.
  • A completed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
    • Make sure to check the “New Plates" box if you are registering the vehicle at the same time.
    • Check off the “Title Only" box if you do not want to register the vehicle right away.
  • Proof of MO car insurance.
  • Statement of Non-Assessment from the assessor's office where you live or are moving to.
    • This certifies that you do not owe personal property taxes for the previous year.
  • Proof of a vehicle identification number (VIN) and odometer inspection from an authorized inspection station.
  • Proof of a safety and/or emissions inspection from an authorized inspection station, if required (see “Vehicle Inspections" below).
  • Payment for all required titling fees and taxes (see “Vehicle Titling Fees" below).

You can also obtain a temporary permit to operate your vehicle without its plates in order to get it titled in Missouri. Please see “Temporary Missouri Permits" below for details.

Buying & Selling a Vehicle in MO

Buying a MO Vehicle

You will have 30 days to title your vehicle and pay the taxes once you make a purchase. To complete the titling process, you will need to go to your local MO DMV office and submit:

  • A completed vehicle title signed by the seller of the vehicle, OR a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin for new cars purchased from a car dealer.
  • A completed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
    • Make sure to check the “New Plates" box if you are registering the vehicle at the same time.
    • Check off the “Title Only" box if you do not want to register the vehicle right away.
  • A notarized Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title (Form DOR-4809), if required.
  • Proof of MO auto insurance.
  • Proof of a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection and odometer inspection, if the previous title is not from Missouri.
  • Proof of a safety and/or emissions inspection from an authorized inspection station, if required (see “Vehicle Inspections" below).
  • Odometer disclosure statement (Form 3019), if the vehicle is 20 years old or newer..
  • Payment for your titling fees and taxes (see “Vehicle Titling Fees" below).

MO Temporary Vehicle Permit

If you've purchased a new vehicle but you don't have plates to transfer to it, you may obtain a 30-day temporary permit in order to operate your vehicle without license plates in order to get it titled and registered.

Head to your local MO driver license office with:

  • Any of the following proofs of ownership:
  • Proof of a safety inspection.
  • Not required if you have an MSO or you're obtaining a permit for a trailer.
  • Proof of insurance.
  • Payment for the $5 permit fee, plus a $6 processing fee.

You may only obtain 1 permit per vehicle, and once you've applied for your title, the temporary permit is no longer valid. You'll need to place your permit at the back of your vehicle, just as with a standard license plate.

Transfer on Death (TOD) Beneficiary

When you are filling out your Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108), you can assign a beneficiary by name for the transfer of death. This will allow the vehicle to be transferred to this person without going through probate.

Check the “Transfer on Death" box on the application and fill out the name of the beneficiary. If there is more than one name, the “Tenants in Common" box must also be checked.

Selling a Vehicle in Missouri

If you're selling a vehicle, you will need to:

  • Sign the vehicle title over to the new owner.
  • Perform a safety and/or emissions inspection on the vehicle, if required, and provide the buyer with proof of inspection.
    • See “Vehicle Inspections" below for details.
  • Provide the notarized Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title (Form DOR-4809), if the vehicle has a lien.
  • Remove your old license plates before letting the buyer take the vehicle.

Removing a Lien from a MO Title

If you have recently paid off a loan taken out on your vehicle, you will need to get the title changed over to your name from the lienholder.

In Missouri, you do this by submitting the Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title (Form DOR-4809), to your local DMV office and paying any fees required.

If your lienholder does not use the lien release shown above, you will need to get a notarized statement on their company letterhead showing that you are released from the lien on the vehicle.

Donated, Gifted & Inherited Vehicles

Some vehicles are not bought or sold; they are given away as donations and gifts, or inherited upon the unfortunate event of death. If you are disposing of your vehicle in this way, or are receiving a vehicle as a gift or inheritance, you will need to title your vehicle slightly differently.

Donating or Gifting a Vehicle

If you decide to give your vehicle away, you must give the new owner the following paperwork:

Make sure to remove the license plates before giving the vehicle to its new owner.

After giving the vehicle away, you will need to report the transfer to the Department of Revenue within 30 days by completing a Notice of Sale (Form 5049) or Bill of Sale (Form 1957), and taking it to your local DOR licensing office.

If you are donating the vehicle to a charitable organization, you should also get a receipt for the value of the car for use while doing your taxes.

Receiving a Vehicle as a Gift

If a vehicle has been donated or gifted to you, visit your local license office with the above paperwork given to you by the seller, plus:

While you will not be charged any state/local taxes, you should be prepared to pay any other applicable titling/license plate fees.

Inheriting a Vehicle

If you inherit a vehicle and the original owner did not designate a beneficiary upon death (please see “Transfer on Death Beneficiary" above), submit the following at your local licensing office:

  • Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
  • The title in the deceased person's name signed over to you by the administrator or executor of the estate.
    • If the title is missing or destroyed, the executor or administrator of the will must apply for a duplicate title in the name of the estate.
  • Original or certified copies of:
    • Letters of Administration Letters Testamentary.
      OR
    • Small Estate Certificate/Affidavit.
  • Payment of all required title, registration, taxes, and processing fees.
    • If the deceased paid all the taxes on the vehicle, the executor of the will can give the vehicle as a gift so the beneficiary will not owe any taxes.

Mail-In Application

You can send in your title paperwork by mail to:

Missouri Department of Revenue
Motor Vehicle Bureau
301 West High Street P.O. Box 2046
Jefferson City, MO 65105

Military Members & MO Title Transfers

Members of the military have slightly different rules for titling their vehicles depending on whether they are stationed in Missouri or serving out of state, or if they are non-residents stationed in Missouri.

MO Military Residents Stationed In State

If you are active-duty military stationed at home in Missouri, simply follow the instructions above for buying, selling, or gifting a vehicle.

Out-of-State MO Military Residents

Missouri residents who are stationed outside of the state can still title and register their vehicle in Missouri if they choose. You can mail in the paperwork directly to the central office in Jefferson City, or you can send it to a family member to file the paperwork for you at your local licensing office.

In order to title and register your vehicle, you must have the following paperwork:

  • A completed title certificate or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin signed over to you.
  • A completed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
  • Proof of vehicle insurance.
  • A Statement of Non-Assessment from your home county collector's office showing you do not owe any property taxes.
  • A signed statement from a commissioned officer verifying the vehicle identification number and odometer display.
  • A General Affidavit (Form 768) showing that the vehicle has not been in Missouri for more than 60 days.
    • You will be required to get a safety inspection (and emissions inspection, if applicable) for your vehicle within 10 days of returning to Missouri.
  • Payment for your titling and registration fees, and the applicable taxes.
    • If you paid sales taxes in your current state, that amount will be subtracted from the amount you paid to the state where you bought the vehicle.

Family Member Filing Paperwork

The DOR suggests sending all the paperwork to a family member to have them deliver the titling and registration paperwork in person. This can speed up the process because the family member may be able to handle any problems regarding the paperwork or fees right away instead of waiting for notification from the DOR.

The license plates will be issued as soon as the vehicle is titled and registration paperwork is filed and a family member can send the plates to you quicker than you would normally get them from the Department of Revenue.

Title and Register by Mail

If you choose not to have a family member file for you, once you have gathered and completed all the required paperwork and fees, send everything to the central office at:

Missouri Department of Revenue
Harry S. Truman State Office Building
301 West High Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101

Non-Resident Military Stationed in Missouri

Members of the military who are stationed in Missouri do not have to title or register your vehicle with the state, as long as you maintain current registration and insurance from your home state.

If you choose to title and register your vehicle in Missouri, follow the steps outlined in the “New to Missouri?" section of this page.

Vehicle Titling Fees in Missouri

There is a standard fee for titling a vehicle in Missouri. Registration fees are determined based on the horsepower of the vehicle. You can delay paying the registration fees if you are only titling the vehicle, but you will still be required to pay the taxes, title fee, and processing fees.

For details on registration fees, please visit our MO Vehicle Registration page.

  • Initial titling: $14.50 (includes the title processing fee of $6).
  • State tax: 4.225% of the cost of the vehicle, plus local sales tax.
    • If you purchased the vehicle in another state and have had it less than 90 days, you will pay the difference between the sales tax in the state where the vehicle was purchased, and the Missouri state and local taxes.
  • Late titling fee: $25 on the 31st day, plus $25 every 30 days thereafter.
    • Maximum penalty: $200.

Missouri Vehicle Inspections

Missouri does require vehicle inspections in order to title all vehicles over 10 years old whenever there is a change of ownership. If there has been no change in ownership, vehicles will be required to follow normal inspection laws. All inspections must be completed within 60 days of titling the vehicle.

Be sure to have your vehicle inspected at a Missouri Authorized Inspection Station.

Safety Inspections

All vehicles over 10 years old must have a safety inspection when there is a change of ownership.

If you are a new resident to Missouri, you may be required to get a safety inspection prior to getting your MO title depending on the model year of your vehicle:

  • Even model year vehicles are required to be inspected in even numbered years.
  • Odd model year vehicles are inspected in odd numbered years.

Emissions Inspections

Emissions inspections are required for all vehicles registered in the city of St. Louis and the following counties:

  • St. Louis County.
  • Jefferson.
  • St. Charles.
  • St. Louis.

Even model year vehicles in these counties are required to be inspected in even numbered years and odd model year vehicles are inspected in odd numbered years. Depending on the year, you may have to get an emissions inspection prior to registering your vehicle for the first time.

Visit our Inspections page for all the information for Missouri emissions and safety inspections.

Name Corrections on MO Titles

If you have changed your on your title, due to marriage, divorce, or court order, you will also need to change the name on your vehicle title.

Go to your local licensing office with:

  • A completed Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
  • Your current vehicle title.
  • Proof of your name change (marriage certificate, divorce decree, court order, etc.).
  • Payment for your title fee:
    • Motor vehicles/trailers: $14.50.
    • Boats/vessels: $7.50.
    • Outboard motors: $5.

Obtain a Duplicate MO Title

If your vehicle title is lost, damaged, or destroyed – or if you have paid of a lien on your vehicle – you will need to apply for a duplicate vehicle title. You will have to:

  • Submit a completed and notarized Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108).
    • Check the box marked “DUPLICATE" on the application.
    • Provide the reason you need a duplicate title.
    • If the title should be mailed to an address other than the one listed on the application, check the “Mail To" box and write in the new address.
  • Provide the damaged title, if applicable.
    • If the title was destroyed, return whatever is left of the title.
  • Provide a notarized Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title (Form DOR-4809) if you've paid off the lien on your vehicle.
  • Pay all the required titling fees.

Either bring all of the above to your local DOR licensing office, or mail them to:

Missouri Department of Revenue
Motor Vehicle Bureau
301 West High Street - P.O. Box 2046
Jefferson City, MO 65105

    Forms

    3019
    Odometer Disclosure Statement
    Use this DOR form to disclose the amount of miles on a vehicle you're selling in Missouri.
    1957
    Bill of Sale
    The DOR's bill of sale, used as a proof of purchase after transferring ownership of a vehicle. Must be notarized when used to show proof of ownership OR if dealing with a rebuilt vehicle.
    DOR-108
    Application for Missouri Title and License
    Missouri DOR's application for an original title AND/OR registration, duplicate title, registration renewal, OR transfer of license plates.
    768
    General Affidavit
    The Department of Revenue's general affidavit you can use for a variety of statements related to special vehicle titling and registration circumstances.
    DOR-4809
    Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to ADD/Remove Name from Title Form
    Notify the Missouri DOR of a change (addition or removal) of a lien on your vehicle title. Must be notarized AND completed by the lienholder.
    5049
    Notice of Sale or Transfer
    Notify the Missouri Department of Revenue that you've sold OR transferred ownership of a vehicle.
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