What you need to do to transfer a car title
A car title transfer means the state's motor vehicle department records a new owner's name on the vehicle registration. You cannot legally sell or give away a car without transferring the title — the person who receives the car must be the one whose name appears on the state's records.
The process differs by state, but the basic steps are the same everywhere: you sign the title document, the buyer signs it, you both provide identification, and you submit the paperwork to your state's motor vehicle department (called the DMV in most states, but the Secretary of State or Department of Transportation in others). Most states charge a transfer fee between $15 and $100. The whole process usually takes two to four weeks once the paperwork reaches the state office.
You do not have to use a dealer or lawyer to transfer a title. You can do it yourself by going to your state's motor vehicle office in person, by mail, or through an online portal if your state offers one.
Key Takeaways
- Both the seller and buyer must sign the title document, and most states require both signatures to be notarized or witnessed by a motor vehicle office employee.
- You will need the original title document, a bill of sale (required in some states), and a completed transfer form specific to your state.
- The buyer pays the transfer fee and any sales tax owed, though the seller sometimes pays the fee depending on what you agreed to.
- Your state's motor vehicle department website lists exactly which documents you need and whether you can mail them in or must appear in person.
Gather the documents the seller needs to provide
The seller (the person whose name is currently on the title) must have the original title document in hand. If the title is lost, the seller can request a duplicate from the state motor vehicle office, though this adds one to two weeks to the timeline. Some states charge $10 to $25 for a duplicate title.
The seller also needs a valid government-issued ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. A few states require the seller to have the vehicle inspected by a motor vehicle office or approved mechanic before the transfer, particularly if the odometer reading on the title does not match the current mileage. Check your state's requirements on its motor vehicle department website.
Many states require a bill of sale — a straightforward document that records the sale price, date, vehicle identification number (VIN), and both parties' names and addresses. Some states provide a form; others accept any written record. A bill of sale protects both buyer and seller by creating a paper trail of the transaction. Even if your state does not require one, creating one is a good idea.
Complete the title transfer form for your state
Each state has its own title transfer form, and you must use the one for the state where the vehicle is registered. Your state's motor vehicle department website has a downloadable version, or you can pick one up at a local office. Common names for this form include "process for Title Transfer," "Notice of Sale," or "Reassignment of Title."
Fill in the seller's information (name, address, signature), the buyer's information, the vehicle details (VIN, make, model, year, odometer reading), and the sale price. Both the seller and buyer must sign the form. In most states, both signatures must be notarized — meaning a notary public witnesses the signatures and stamps the document. Some states allow you to have the signatures witnessed at a motor vehicle office instead, which is free.
If the title has a lien (meaning a bank or lender holds a security interest in the vehicle), the lender's name appears on the title. The lender must release the lien before the title can be transferred. This usually happens automatically when the seller pays off the loan, but the seller should contact the lender to confirm the lien will be released and ask how long it takes. A lien release can take one to five business days.
Submit the paperwork to your state motor vehicle office
Once both parties have signed and the signatures are notarized (or witnessed), you submit the completed form, the original title, the bill of sale (if required), and payment to your state's motor vehicle office. You can do this in person, by mail, or online depending on what your state offers.
Submitting in person is fastest — you can often walk out with a temporary registration the same day. Mailing takes one to two weeks for the paperwork to arrive, plus two to three weeks for processing. Online submission, where available, usually takes one to two weeks for processing.
The buyer pays the transfer fee and any sales tax owed on the vehicle. Sales tax rates vary by state and sometimes by county. Some states do not charge sales tax on vehicle transfers if the buyer is a family member or if the vehicle is very old. Ask your motor vehicle office what tax applies to your sale.
What happens after you submit the transfer
The motor vehicle office processes the paperwork and updates its records to show the buyer as the new owner. The buyer receives a new title document in the mail, usually within two to four weeks. The buyer also receives a new registration card and license plates (or can keep the old plates, depending on state law).
Until the new title arrives, the buyer should keep a copy of the submitted transfer form and the receipt from the motor vehicle office as proof of ownership. This is important if the buyer needs to register the vehicle with insurance or prove ownership before the official title arrives.
The seller's responsibility ends once the paperwork is submitted. The seller is no longer the registered owner and has no further obligation regarding the vehicle. However, the seller should keep a copy of the bill of sale and the receipt showing the transfer was submitted, in case questions arise later about the sale.
Special situations: inherited vehicles, gifts, and out-of-state transfers
If you inherited a vehicle, the title transfer process is similar but requires additional documents — typically a death certificate, a will or court order showing you inherited the vehicle, and proof of your relationship to the deceased. Some states waive the transfer fee for inherited vehicles. Contact your state's motor vehicle office for the exact documents needed.
If you are giving a vehicle as a gift, the process is the same as a sale, except the sale price on the form is $0 or "gift." Some states charge sales tax on gifts; others do not. The recipient still pays the transfer fee.
If you are buying a vehicle from out of state, you must transfer the title in the state where you plan to register it, not in the state where the seller lives. The seller provides you with the title from their state, and you submit it along with your state's transfer form to your local motor vehicle office. Your state will issue a new title in its format.
Common mistakes that delay a title transfer
The most common mistake is submitting unsigned or partially signed paperwork. Both the seller and buyer must sign the transfer form, and in most states both signatures must be notarized. If either signature is missing or not notarized, the office will return the paperwork and you will have to resubmit it, adding two to four weeks to the timeline.
Another frequent error is providing the wrong VIN or mismatching information between the title and the transfer form. Double-check that the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the vehicle itself (usually found on the driver's side dashboard or door jamb) and that it matches what you write on the transfer form.
Forgetting to pay the transfer fee or sales tax will also cause a delay. Some offices will not process the paperwork until payment is received. Check your state's website for the exact amount and acceptable payment methods before you submit.
If there is a lien on the title, submitting the paperwork before the lien is released will cause the office to reject it. The seller must confirm with the lender that the lien has been released before submitting anything.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the buyer and seller sign the title at different times?
In most states, yes, but the buyer's signature must come after the seller's. The seller signs first, then the buyer signs. Both signatures usually must be notarized or witnessed on the same document, so it is easiest if both parties go to a notary or motor vehicle office together. If they cannot, the seller can sign and have it notarized, then give the signed title to the buyer to sign and have notarized separately.
What if the seller lost the title?
The seller can request a duplicate title from the state motor vehicle office. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes one to two weeks. The seller will need to provide identification and proof of ownership (such as a registration card or insurance document). Once the duplicate arrives, the transfer process proceeds normally.
Do I need a bill of sale if my state does not require one?
No, but creating one anyway is a good idea. A bill of sale documents the sale price, date, and both parties' names, which protects both buyer and seller. It is especially useful if a dispute arises later about the condition of the vehicle or the sale terms. You can write one yourself or use a template from your state's motor vehicle department website.
How long does it take to get the new title after I submit the paperwork?
Most states mail the new title within two to four weeks of receiving the paperwork. If you submitted in person, some states issue a temporary registration the same day. Until the official title arrives, keep a copy of your receipt and the submitted transfer form as proof of ownership.
What if I sold the car but the buyer has not transferred the title yet?
You are still the registered owner until the buyer submits the transfer paperwork and the state updates its records. If the buyer does not transfer the title, you remain liable for registration fees, parking tickets, and tolls on that vehicle. Contact the buyer and ask them to submit the paperwork when ready. If they refuse, you can file a report with your state motor vehicle office stating that you sold the vehicle and no longer own it.