What You Need to Do to Transfer a Car Title

Transferring a car title means changing the registered owner's name on the official document held by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent agency). The exact steps depend on your state, but the basic process is the same everywhere: you sign the title over to the new owner, submit it with a completed form to your DMV, and pay a fee. The new owner then receives a title in their name.

You cannot straightforward hand someone a car and a signed title. The DMV must process the transfer and issue a new title document. This protects both you (by removing your legal ownership) and the new owner (by establishing theirs). The whole process usually takes two to four weeks by mail, or same-day in person at a DMV office.

Key Takeaways

  • You must sign the back of the title in the presence of a notary public in most states, or in front of a DMV employee in some states.
  • The new owner fills out their portion of the title or a separate transfer form, depending on your state's document.
  • Both the old and new owner must submit the signed title and any required forms to the DMV within a set timeframe, usually 10 to 30 days.
  • You will pay a title transfer fee (typically $15 to $50) and the new owner may pay a registration fee to get their own registration.
  • If the title is lost, damaged, or has a lien on it, you must handle those issues before the transfer can complete.

Locate Your Title and Check Its Condition

Your title is a multi-part document, usually printed on security paper with your name, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the odometer reading. It should be in a safe place at home—a file, a safe, or with your loan documents if you financed the car. If you cannot find it, you will need to request a duplicate from your DMV before you can transfer ownership.

Check the title for damage, water stains, or missing signatures. Some states will not accept a title that is torn, faded, or illegible. If yours is damaged, request a duplicate title from your DMV before proceeding. Also verify that the title is clear—meaning no lender or other party has a lien recorded on it. If there is a lien, the lienholder must sign off on the transfer, or you must pay off the loan first.

Sign the Title in Front of a Notary or DMV Employee

The back of the title has a signature line for the seller. In most states, you must sign this line in front of a notary public, who will witness your signature and stamp the document. Some states allow you to sign in front of a DMV employee instead. A few states do not require notarization at all, but most do.

Find a notary through your bank, a local UPS Store, a law office, or an online search for "notary public near me." Bring your title and a government-issued photo ID. The notary will charge a small fee (usually $5 to $15) and will stamp and sign the back of the title. Do not sign the title before you meet the notary—they must witness your signature.

Provide the New Owner with Their Section of the Title

The title document has a buyer's section, usually on the back or on a separate form. The new owner must fill in their name, address, and signature. Some states use the title itself; others use a separate "process for Title" or "Bill of Sale" form that the new owner completes instead.

Check your state's DMV website to see which form the new owner needs. You can read it, print it, and give it to them along with the signed title. The new owner should not sign anything until they are ready to submit it to the DMV—and in some states, they must sign in front of a notary as well. Confirm with your state's DMV whether both parties need notarization or only the seller.

Submit the Title and Forms to Your State's DMV

Either you or the new owner (or both, depending on your state) must submit the signed title and any required forms to the DMV. Some states require the seller to submit; others require the buyer; some require both. Check your state's DMV website for the specific rule and the current mailing address or office location.

If you are mailing the documents, include the title, the completed form, the fee (usually $15 to $50 for a title transfer), and a copy of your driver's license or ID. Send it by certified mail so you have proof of delivery. If you are submitting in person, bring the original title, your ID, and the fee. The DMV will stamp the documents and give you a receipt showing the transfer was received.

Wait for the New Title to Be Issued

After the DMV receives the transfer, they will process it and mail a new title to the new owner's address. This usually takes two to four weeks. During this time, the car is technically in limbo—you are no longer the owner, but the new owner does not yet have an official title. If either party needs to sell or register the car during this period, they will need the receipt from the DMV showing the transfer was submitted.

The new owner should also register the vehicle in their name. Registration is separate from the title and is usually done at the same time or shortly after. They will need to bring proof of insurance, the title (once received), and payment for registration fees, which vary by state and vehicle weight.

Handle Special Situations: Liens, Lost Titles, and Out-of-State Transfers

If the title has a lien on it (meaning a lender still owns the car), the lienholder must sign the title before you can transfer it. Contact your lender and ask them to release the lien or to sign the title. Some lenders will mail you a signed lien release; others require you to pay off the loan first. Once the lien is released, the title is clear and you can proceed with the transfer.

If your title is lost or destroyed, request a duplicate from your DMV before attempting a transfer. You will need to fill out a form (usually called "process for Duplicate Title" or "Replacement Title") and pay a fee. This typically takes one to two weeks. If you are transferring the car to someone else and cannot locate your title, inform the new owner of the delay and provide them with the receipt showing you requested a duplicate.

If the new owner lives in a different state, the process is the same—they will submit the title to their own state's DMV and receive a new title from that state. Some states require an inspection or emissions test before issuing a title; check the new owner's state requirements. The title from your state will be surrendered to the new owner's DMV and will not be returned to you.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I sold the car but the new owner hasn't registered it yet?

You are no longer the legal owner once the title is signed and submitted to the DMV, even if the new owner has not yet received their title. Keep the receipt from the DMV showing the transfer was submitted. If the car is involved in an accident or traffic violation before the new owner registers it, show the receipt to prove you transferred ownership on a specific date.

Can I transfer a title if the car has an outstanding loan?

Not until the lien is released. Contact your lender and ask them to sign the title or provide a lien release letter. Once the lien is removed from the title, you can transfer it. If you are selling the car, the sale price should cover the loan payoff, and the lender will release the lien as part of the closing process.

What happens if I sign the title but the buyer never submits it to the DMV?

You are still legally responsible for the vehicle until the DMV processes the transfer. If the car is involved in an accident, parking violation, or theft, you may be held liable. Always keep a copy of the signed title and the DMV receipt showing when you submitted it. If the buyer does not submit it within a reasonable time, contact your DMV to confirm the transfer was received.

Do I need to notarize the title if I'm transferring it to a family member?

Yes, in most states. Notarization is required by law regardless of who the new owner is. A few states have exceptions for transfers between spouses or when ready family, but you should check your state's DMV website to confirm. When in doubt, get the title notarized—it costs only a few dollars and prevents delays.

How long do I have to transfer the title after selling the car?

This varies by state, but most require the transfer to be submitted within 10 to 30 days of the sale. Check your state's DMV website for the exact important date. If you miss the important date, you may face a fine or penalty. The safest approach is to submit the title within a week of the sale.