What Missouri requires on a car title

A Missouri car title is a document issued by the Missouri Department of Revenue that proves you own a vehicle. It shows the vehicle identification number (VIN), the owner's name and address, any lienholder (like a bank or credit union), and the odometer reading at the time of transfer. Missouri titles are printed on security paper and include a watermark to prevent fraud.

The state issues two types of titles: a regular title for vehicles you own outright, and a title with a lien notation if you financed the purchase. You cannot legally sell or transfer a vehicle without a title in Missouri, and you cannot register it without one either.

Key Takeaways

  • Missouri titles are issued by the Department of Revenue and must be in your name before you can legally own or register a vehicle.
  • A new title costs $6.50 and takes about two weeks by mail; you can request it in person at a license office for faster service.
  • When you buy a used car, the seller must sign the back of their title and provide it to you before the sale is complete.
  • If your title is lost, damaged, or stolen, you can request a duplicate through the Department of Revenue with proof of ownership.
  • Transferring a title to a new owner requires both parties to sign the back of the title and submit it to the Department of Revenue within 30 days.

How to get a new title when you buy a car

When you purchase a vehicle in Missouri, the seller must provide you with their signed title. The back of the title has a section labeled "Assignment of Title by Seller" where the seller writes their name, signs, and dates the document. You should inspect this section before handing over payment—if it is blank or unsigned, the sale is not complete.

Once you have the signed title, you have 30 days to submit it to the Missouri Department of Revenue along with a completed Form 108 (process for Missouri Title and Registration). You will also need proof of a safety inspection (if the vehicle is over four years old) and proof of insurance. The fee for a new title is $6.50. You can mail these documents to your regional license office or visit in person.

Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks. If you need the title faster, visiting a license office in person can sometimes produce a title the same day, though this varies by location and how busy the office is. Call ahead to confirm.

Transferring a title to someone else

If you are selling your vehicle, you must sign the back of your title in the "Assignment of Title by Seller" section. Write the buyer's name, sign, and date it. Do not sign it blank—always fill in the buyer's name first. The buyer then takes the signed title to the Department of Revenue within 30 days to register it in their name.

You are not required to be present when the buyer registers the vehicle, but it is a good idea to keep a copy of the signed title for your records. If the vehicle has a lien on it (meaning a bank or credit union still holds a security interest), the lienholder must also sign the title, or you must provide a separate lien release document. Contact your lender to find out how they handle this.

If you sell the vehicle privately, the buyer is responsible for getting the title transferred. If you sell through a dealer, the dealer handles the paperwork. Either way, the 30-day important date applies to whoever now owns the vehicle.

Replacing a lost, damaged, or stolen title

If your title is lost, damaged, or stolen, you can request a duplicate from the Missouri Department of Revenue. You will need to complete Form 108 and provide proof that you own the vehicle. Acceptable proof includes a current registration in your name, a bill of sale, or a previous title in your name.

The duplicate title costs $6.50 and takes about two weeks by mail. You can also request it in person at a license office. If your title was stolen and you suspect fraud, contact the Department of Revenue directly to report it and ask whether any transfers have been attempted in your name.

Titles for vehicles with a loan or lease

If you financed your vehicle purchase, the lender's name appears on the title as the lienholder. This means the lender has a legal claim to the vehicle until you pay off the loan. You own and can drive the vehicle, but you cannot sell it or transfer the title without the lender's permission and signature.

When you pay off the loan, the lender sends you a lien release document or signs the back of your title to remove their name. You then submit this to the Department of Revenue to get a clean title with no lienholder listed. This process is free and takes about two weeks.

If you lease a vehicle, you do not receive a title—the leasing company holds it. When your lease ends, you return the vehicle to the leasing company. If you want to purchase the vehicle at the end of the lease, the leasing company will handle the title transfer to you as part of that transaction.

What to do if the title has the wrong information

If your title shows an incorrect name, address, or VIN, contact the Missouri Department of Revenue to request a corrected title. You will need to provide proof of the correct information—for example, a driver's license for a name change, or the vehicle's registration for a VIN error. The fee is $6.50 and processing takes about two weeks.

If the error was made by the Department of Revenue, the correction is usually free. If the error was on the original paperwork from the seller or dealer, you may need to contact them for a corrected bill of sale or other documentation to support your request.

Title transfers after death or divorce

If a vehicle owner dies, the title must be transferred to the estate or to the person who inherits the vehicle. This requires a copy of the death certificate and either a will, a court order, or a statement of heirship (depending on how the estate is being handled). Contact the Department of Revenue for the specific forms needed in your situation.

In a divorce, the title is transferred to whoever the court awards the vehicle to. The divorce decree serves as proof of the transfer. The person receiving the vehicle should submit the decree along with Form 108 to the Department of Revenue to get a new title in their name only.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive a car if I do not have the title yet?

No. You cannot legally register a vehicle without a title, and you cannot legally drive an unregistered vehicle. If you have purchased a car and are waiting for the title to be processed, you should not drive it on public roads. If the seller has not provided you with a signed title, the sale is not complete and you should not take possession of the vehicle.

What if the seller will not sign the title?

If the seller refuses to sign the title after you have paid for the vehicle, you have a legal dispute. Contact a lawyer or your local small claims court. Do not drive the vehicle. You may also report the situation to the Missouri Attorney General's office if you believe fraud is involved.

How much does a Missouri title cost?

A new title costs $6.50. A duplicate title also costs $6.50. A corrected title costs $6.50. These fees do not change based on the vehicle's age or value. You may also pay an additional fee if you request expedited processing or if you need the title mailed to an address outside Missouri.

Do I need the title to renew my vehicle registration?

No. Once your vehicle is registered in Missouri, you can renew your registration without the title. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail. However, if you sell the vehicle or move out of state, you will need the title to transfer it.

What if I bought a car from out of state?

You must get a Missouri title within 30 days of moving the vehicle to Missouri. Bring the out-of-state title, a completed Form 108, proof of inspection, and proof of insurance to a Missouri license office. The out-of-state title will be exchanged for a Missouri title. The fee is $6.50.