What you need to do to transfer a car title
Transferring a car title means officially recording with your state that you are no longer the owner. The new owner becomes the legal owner in 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 submit it to your state's motor vehicle agency with a fee, and the state issues a new title in the buyer's name.
You cannot sell a car legally without transferring the title. If you keep the title in your name after someone else buys the car, you remain liable if that person gets into an accident, racks up parking tickets, or commits a crime with the vehicle. The transfer protects you and establishes the buyer's ownership.
Most states let you handle this yourself without a dealer or lawyer. The fee is usually between $15 and $75, depending on your state. The whole process typically takes two to six weeks from the time you submit the paperwork, though some states offer expedited processing for an extra fee.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign the title document in the correct location and have the buyer sign it as well; unsigned titles are rejected by the motor vehicle agency.
- Your state's motor vehicle department website lists the exact form you need, the fee amount, and where to mail or deliver it.
- Some states require the title to be notarized; check your state's requirements before you sign anything.
- The buyer may need to obtain their own inspection or emissions test before the state will issue a title in their name.
- Keep a copy of the signed title and your receipt from the motor vehicle agency as proof you transferred ownership.
Locate your state's title transfer form and requirements
Go to your state's motor vehicle agency website and search for "title transfer" or "transfer of ownership." The site will show you the exact form you need, the fee, and whether notarization is required. Some states use a single form for all transfers; others have separate forms depending on whether the buyer is a private person, a dealer, or a business.
Write down the mailing address or office location where you submit the form. Some states accept mail-in submissions; others require you to visit in person. A few states now accept electronic submissions through their website. The motor vehicle agency website also tells you whether the buyer needs to pass an inspection or emissions test before the state will issue a new title.
Do not assume the form you used to register the car is the same form you use to transfer the title. Title transfer forms are different from registration renewal forms. Submitting the wrong form delays the process and may result in rejection.
Sign the title in the correct location
The title document has a specific section labeled "Seller's Signature" or "Owner's Signature." Sign only in that section, using the same name that appears at the top of the title. If your name is spelled differently on the title than on your driver's license, sign it the way it appears on the title itself.
Do not sign the title until you and the buyer have agreed on the sale price and the buyer is ready to take possession. Once you sign, the title is considered executed, and you should not delay submitting it. If you sign the title and then wait weeks to submit it, the buyer may become frustrated or suspicious.
Some states require your signature to be notarized. Check your state's requirements before you sign. If notarization is required and you sign without a notary present, the motor vehicle agency will reject the form and you will have to start over. A notary public can be found at most banks, UPS stores, and public libraries for a fee of $5 to $15.
Have the buyer sign the title and provide their information
The title has a section for the buyer's signature and printed name. The buyer must sign in the correct location and print their name clearly. If the buyer is a business or dealer, they may need to sign on behalf of the company; check your state's rules about corporate signatures.
Ask the buyer for their full legal name, address, and phone number. This information goes on the title form. If the buyer's information is incomplete or illegible, the motor vehicle agency may reject the submission or issue a title with errors that are difficult to correct later.
If the buyer is financing the car through a lender, the lender's name may need to appear on the title as a lienholder. Ask the buyer whether their lender requires this. If so, the lender's name and address must be added to the title before you submit it. The buyer's lender can provide the exact information needed.
Complete the odometer statement if your state requires it
Most states require the seller to certify the vehicle's mileage on the title or a separate odometer statement form. This prevents odometer fraud. You must write the current mileage reading from the vehicle's dashboard and sign a statement that the mileage is accurate to the best of your knowledge.
If the odometer is broken or does not work, some states allow you to write "odometer not functional" instead of a mileage number. Other states require a separate form documenting the malfunction. Check your state's motor vehicle website for the exact rule.
The odometer statement must be signed and dated on the same day you sign the title, or within a few days of the sale. Submitting an odometer statement dated weeks after the sale may raise questions and delay processing.
Submit the title and fee to your state's motor vehicle agency
Gather the signed title, the completed transfer form (if your state uses a separate form), the odometer statement, and the fee. Mail everything to the address listed on your state's motor vehicle website, or deliver it in person if your state requires that.
Include a copy of the bill of sale if your state requests one. A bill of sale is a straightforward document showing the sale price, the date, and both signatures. It is not required in every state, but some motor vehicle agencies ask for it as proof of the transaction.
Keep a photocopy of everything you submit, along with your receipt or tracking number. If the motor vehicle agency loses your paperwork or rejects it, you will have proof of what you sent and when. Some states issue a receipt when ready; others mail a confirmation letter weeks later.
Track the status and receive confirmation
After you submit the paperwork, the motor vehicle agency processes it and issues a new title in the buyer's name. This usually takes two to six weeks. Some states offer online status tracking on their motor vehicle website; others require you to call or visit in person to check.
The new title is mailed to the buyer's address. If the buyer does not receive it within the timeframe your state provided, they should contact the motor vehicle agency to confirm it was processed. If there is an error on the new title—such as a misspelled name or wrong VIN—the buyer will need to request a correction, which may take additional weeks.
Once the new title arrives, the transfer is complete. You are no longer the legal owner and have no further liability for the vehicle. Keep your copy of the signed title and the agency's receipt for your records.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I lost the title and don't have it to sign?
Contact your state's motor vehicle agency and request a duplicate title. You will need to prove ownership with your registration or driver's license. The agency will issue a new title to you, which you can then sign and transfer to the buyer. This process adds two to four weeks to the timeline.
Can I transfer the title if there is a lien on the car?
Yes, but the lienholder must release the lien first. Contact the lender or bank that holds the lien and ask them to send a lien release letter. You will submit this letter along with the title to the motor vehicle agency. The lien must be released before the new title is issued in the buyer's name.
What happens if I sell the car but don't transfer the title?
You remain the legal owner in the state's records. If the buyer gets into an accident, receives a speeding ticket, or abandons the car, you could be held liable. You may also be responsible for registration fees and property taxes. Always transfer the title promptly after a sale.
Do I need to notify my insurance company before transferring the title?
Yes. Contact your insurance company and let them know you have sold the car. They will cancel your policy or remove the vehicle from your coverage. This prevents you from paying for insurance on a car you no longer own.
Can the buyer transfer the title themselves if I give them the signed title?
In most states, yes. Once you sign the title, the buyer can submit it to the motor vehicle agency themselves. However, it is safer for both of you if you submit it together or if you keep a copy of the signed title as proof you completed your part of the transfer.