Title Transfers in North Dakota

How to Complete an Auto Title Transfer in North Dakota
  • Seller & buyer sign title.
  • Complete the required form(s).
  • Bring the title and complete form to the DMV.
  • Pay the $5 fee and excise tax (if needed). Continue reading for more details.

Title Transfers when you Move to North Dakota

If you're new to North Dakota, you'll need to apply for a vehicle title transfer from your previous state. You will also register your vehicle and obtain ND license plates at the same time.

Visit a North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) office and:

  • Submit a completed Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Motor Vehicle (Form SFN 2872).
  • Submit your out-of-state registration.
  • Submit the your out-of-state title, if you have a lien on your vehicle.
    • Make sure the “Dealer and Lienholder Information" section is filled out on the application form.
  • Pay the required fees:
    • Title transfer fee: $5.
    • Excise tax, if required (see below): 5% of the market value of your vehicle.
    • Registration fees: Based on the weight of your vehicle.
    • Abandoned vehicle disposal fee of $1.50

If the vehicle title is from any of the following states, excise tax will apply:

  • Alaska.
  • Delaware.
  • Georgia.
  • Montana.
  • New Hampshire.
  • Oregon.
  • Any Canadian Province.

NOTE: If you've already paid excise tax in another state, you will be exempt from paying this again as long as you can show proof.

Title Transfers when Buying or Selling a Vehicle in ND

Buying a Vehicle

If you buy a car from a dealer, they should take care of the DMV title transfer and all subsequent paperwork for you. If they do not, contact the NDDOT to find out what documents you'll need.

If you're buying a car from a private party, you'll need to obtain some documents from the seller and apply for the vehicle title transfer yourself, but the steps at the DMV are pretty basic.

Visit your local NDDOT office with:

Selling a Vehicle

If you've sold your vehicle in North Dakota, you'll need to provide the following documents to the buyer so he/she can complete the car title transfer:

  • Completed title certificate. You must complete the odometer disclosure statement unless the vehicle is:
    • When transferring the vehicle to a new owner.
    • An ATV or snowmobile.
    • Not self-propelled.
  • A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609).

NOTE: If you don't have the vehicle title, you will need to apply for a duplicate in order to complete the auto title transfer.

Remember to remove your license plates from the vehicle before making the auto title transfer. For more information about transferring or surrendering your plates, visit our License Plates in North Dakota page.

What are the Fees for a Car Title Transfer?

  • Title transfer fee: $5.
  • Excise tax: 5% of the vehicle's fair market value.
  • Abandoned vehicle disposal fee of $1.50 (new and vehicles previously titled in another state/country).

When you apply for a DMV title transfer in North Dakota, you will also need to register your vehicle. Visit our Car Registration page for fee information.

Gifting, Inheriting, or Donating a Vehicle

In North Dakota, you do not need to pay sales/excise tax for gifted/transferred, inherited, or donated vehicles.

Gifted Vehicles

If you've received a vehicle as a gift or are transferring ownership between family, you can apply for a vehicle title transfer by submitting the following to your local NDDOT office:

  • Certificate of title:
    • Make sure the previous owner (donor) has completed the title as the “Seller."
    • You must complete the title as the “Buyer."
    • The odometer reading must be recorded.
  • A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609).
  • Payment for the title transfer fee: $5.

Inherited Vehicles

If you've inherited a vehicle, you'll need the following items to complete a car title transfer:

  • Completed title:
    • The personal representative of the deceased person will need to complete the “Seller's Assignment & Warranty of Title" section.
    • You will complete the title as the “Buyer."
    • Completed odometer disclosure.
  • Copy of the personal representative's papers as proof of power of attorney.
  • A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609).
  • Payment for the $5 DMV title transfer fee.

Submit the above documents and title transfer fee to your local NDDOT office.

Remove a Lien from a ND Title

If you've paid off the loan on your vehicle, take the following to a NDDOT office to complete the auto title transfer and obtain a title in your name:

  • Certificate of title:
    • The lienholder must complete the “Seller's Assignment & Warranty of Title" section.
    • You must complete the “Purchaser's Certification and Application" section.
  • Completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609) if the vehicle is less than 9 years old.
  • Payment for the $5 car title transfer and tax (if applicable).

NOTE: If you started the lease before July 1, 2001, you will be exempt from tax. Otherwise, 5% tax will apply.

ND Military Members and Titling

NOTE: If you're an out-of-state military member stationed in North Dakota, you will need to title and register your out-of-state vehicle by following the instructions above.

If you're a ND resident and are stationed out of state for military obligations, you may be eligible for a tax exemption when applying for a vehicle title transfer.

To complete a car title transfer and registration for a vehicle you bought from out of state, you'll need:

Mail the above to the address on the tax exemption form.

Add, Delete, or Change a Name

Add or Delete a Name on your Title

If there has been a change of ownership of your vehicle, you'll need to apply for a new title.

The process is similar to that of a DMV title transfer between a seller and buyer.

Keep in mind:

  • If the current owners names are separated by “AND" and both have not completed the “Seller's Assignment & Warranty of Title" section on the title, documentation to explain why this is the case will be required. (For example, a divorce decree.)
  • The new owner/s must complete the “Purchaser's Certification and Application" section of the title.
    • If there are multiple owners and their name are separated by “AND" on the title, all must sign.

Change Your Name

If you've recently had a name change—due to marriage, divorce, or other court order—you'll need to update your vehicle title.

Visit your local NDDOT office with:

  • The vehicle title:
    • Complete the title as the “Seller" in your previous name.
    • Complete the title as the “Buyer" in your new name.
    • Include the odometer disclosure information if required.
  • Payment for the title transfer fee ($5).

Visit our Name Change in North Dakota page to learn how to update your other DMV documents (i.e., driver's license and vehicle registration).

Replace a North Dakota Title

You cannot sell a vehicle in ND if you do not have the title certificate. You will need to apply for a duplicate before you can complete the auto title transfer.

Complete instructions can be found on our Replacing a Lost Title in North Dakota page.

Forms

SFN 2872
Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Vehicle
Apply for a new, renewal, OR duplicate ND DOT title, registration, or tabs.
SFN 18609
Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement
Fill this form out to disclose damage to a vehicle you are selling that is less than 9 years old. Must be signed by the buyer AND seller.
SFN 17147
Military Claim for Tax Exemption
Submit this form to the North Dakota DOT to claim an excise tax exemption on a vehicle you own that was transferred into or out of North Dakota. MUST be notarized.
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