The basic process depends on whether the other person agrees

Removing someone from a car title requires their signature on a release form in most states, or a court order if they refuse. The exact steps and forms vary by state — some use a straightforward release document, others require you to re-title the vehicle in your name alone through the DMV. If the other person is deceased, you will need a death certificate and possibly a probate document. If the other person cannot be located, you will need to file a petition with the court in your county.

The fastest route is getting the other person to sign a release or transfer form at your state's DMV office or through the mail. This typically takes two to four weeks once both signatures are on the document. If they refuse or cannot be found, expect three to six months for a court process, plus filing fees that range from $200 to $500 depending on your state.

Key Takeaways

  • Most states require the other title holder to sign a release or transfer form; check your state DMV website for the exact document name and whether it can be mailed or must be done in person.
  • If the other person refuses to sign, you will need to file a petition in your county court, which costs money and takes several months.
  • If the other person is deceased, bring a death certificate to your DMV; if they are missing, the court petition process is your only option.
  • You cannot remove someone from a title if they have a lien on the vehicle — the lender must release it first, which usually requires paying off the loan.

Getting the other person's signature on a release or transfer form

Contact your state's DMV and ask for the form used to remove a co-owner from a title. The name varies: some states call it a "release of interest," others use "transfer of ownership," "removal of co-owner," or "assignment of title." The DMV website will list the exact form number and whether you can mail it or must appear in person.

Both you and the other title holder must sign the form, usually in front of a notary public. Some DMV offices have a notary on staff; others require you to find one separately. Once the form is signed and notarized, submit it to your DMV along with the original title, a completed process for a new title in your name alone, and the fee (typically $15 to $50). The DMV will issue a new title with only your name on it.

If the other person lives far away or refuses to meet in person, some states allow mailed signatures if they are notarized. Call your DMV to confirm whether this is allowed in your state and what additional documents they need.

What to do if the other person refuses to sign

If the other person will not cooperate, you will need to file a petition in the district or circuit court in the county where you live. This is a civil lawsuit asking the court to remove them from the title. You will need to show the court that you own the vehicle or have a legal right to it — for example, a divorce decree that awarded you the car, or proof that you paid for the vehicle while the other person's name was added without your consent.

File the petition at your county courthouse and pay the filing fee, which ranges from $200 to $500. You will also need to serve the other person with the lawsuit, meaning they must be formally notified by mail or in person. If they do not respond within the important date (usually 20 to 30 days), the court may grant your request by default. If they respond and contest it, you may need to appear in court or provide additional evidence.

Once the court issues an order in your favor, take the order and your current title to the DMV. The DMV will issue a new title in your name alone without requiring the other person's signature.

Removing a deceased person from the title

If the other title holder has died, bring the death certificate and the original title to your DMV. Some states require only the death certificate; others ask for a probate document or an affidavit stating that you are the rightful owner. Call your DMV ahead of time to ask what documents they need.

If the deceased person's estate is in probate, the probate court may issue a document confirming that the vehicle belongs to you. This document, combined with the death certificate, is usually enough for the DMV to issue a new title. If there is no probate, some states allow you to file a small estate affidavit at the courthouse, which is faster and cheaper than a full probate process.

Handling a lien on the vehicle

If the other title holder has a lien on the vehicle — meaning a lender has a legal claim to it — you cannot remove them from the title until the lien is released. A lien typically exists because the vehicle was financed and the loan is still outstanding. The lender's name appears on the title as a "lienholder."

To remove the lien, the loan must be paid off in full. Once it is paid, the lender will send a lien release document to the DMV. After the lien is released, you can proceed with removing the other person's name using the methods above. If the other person refuses to pay off the loan and you want the vehicle, you may need to pay off the loan yourself and then pursue the court process to remove their name.

State-by-state differences in forms and fees

Each state has its own title forms and procedures. Some states use a single "assignment" section on the back of the title; others require a separate release document. Some allow electronic submission through the DMV website; others require in-person visits or mailed documents.

The fee to re-title a vehicle ranges from $15 in some states to $50 or more in others. Notary fees typically run $5 to $15 per signature. If you need to file a court petition, expect $200 to $500 in filing fees plus potential costs for serving the other person and any attorney fees if you hire one.

Visit your state's DMV website and search for "remove co-owner from title" or "transfer of ownership." The website will list the exact form, the fee, and whether you can submit it by mail or must appear in person. If the website is unclear, call the DMV directly — they can walk you through the process for your specific situation.

What happens if you ignore the other person's name on the title

Leaving someone else's name on the title creates legal and financial problems. If you sell the vehicle, the buyer's title will show two owners, and the other person can claim they have a right to the sale proceeds. If you get into an accident and are sued, the other person may be named in the lawsuit because they are a legal owner. If you default on a loan, the lender can pursue both of you for payment.

If the other person dies and their name is still on the title, their estate may claim a right to the vehicle, which can delay or prevent you from selling it. Removing their name now, while they are alive and can sign, is much simpler than dealing with probate later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove someone from a title without their knowledge?

No. If they are alive and their name is on the title, they must sign a release form or the court must order their removal. Forging their signature is fraud. The only exception is if they are deceased — then you need a death certificate, not their signature.

How long does it take to remove someone from a title?

With their signature, two to four weeks once the DMV receives the signed form. Without their cooperation, three to six months for the court process, plus time for the DMV to issue the new title after the court order arrives.

What if the other person lives in a different state?

You can still remove them. If they will sign, they can have the form notarized in their state and mail it to you. If they refuse, you file the court petition in your county, and the court will order them served by mail. The process is the same; it just takes longer because of distance.

Do I need a lawyer to remove someone from a title?

Not if they sign the release form — the DMV process is straightforward. If you need to go to court, you can file the petition yourself, though some people hire a lawyer to handle it. Court filing fees are lower than lawyer fees, so many people file alone and only hire a lawyer if the other person contests it.

What if the vehicle has a loan and both of us are on the title?

The lender must release the lien before you can remove the other person's name. Usually this requires paying off the loan. If only one of you is on the loan, contact the lender and ask whether they will release the lien if you pay it off, or whether both borrowers must agree.