What You Need to Do to Transfer a Title in Minnesota
To transfer a vehicle title in Minnesota, you file Form REG 13 (process for Minnesota Certificate of Title) with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Driver and Vehicle Services. The form goes to the address on the form itself, or you can submit it in person at a DVS office. You will need the current title, a bill of sale or purchase agreement, proof of identity, and proof of residence. The process takes roughly two to three weeks by mail, though timing varies depending on how quickly DVS processes the stack of applications ahead of yours.
The fee for a title transfer is $13.25 in Minnesota, though you may owe additional fees if the vehicle requires a new inspection or if you are registering it for the first time in the state. If you are financing the vehicle, the lender's name will appear on the title as a lienholder, and you cannot remove that until the loan is paid off. If you are buying from a private seller, make sure the seller signs the back of the title in the correct section — if they sign in the wrong spot, DVS will return the process and you will have to start over.
Key Takeaways
- File Form REG 13 with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, either by mail or in person at a DVS office, along with the current title and a bill of sale.
- The title transfer fee is $13.25, and the process takes two to three weeks by mail from the date DVS receives your complete process.
- The seller must sign the back of the title in the correct section; a signature in the wrong spot will cause DVS to reject the process.
- If you are financing the vehicle, the lender appears on the title as a lienholder and remains there until the loan is paid off.
- You will need proof of identity and proof of residence at your Minnesota address to complete the transfer.
Documents You Need Before You File
Gather these documents before you submit Form REG 13. You need the current title — the physical certificate issued by the previous state or by Minnesota if the vehicle was already registered here. You also need a bill of sale or purchase agreement showing the sale price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller. If you do not have a bill of sale, Minnesota accepts a purchase agreement or even a receipt from a dealer.
Bring proof of identity — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card — and proof of residence showing your Minnesota address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 30 days works. If you are buying from a private seller and the title is from another state, you may also need an odometer disclosure statement if the vehicle is less than 10 years old; the seller should provide this when they sign the title.
If the vehicle has a lien (meaning it is financed), the lienholder's name will already be printed on the title. You do not need to do anything special — the lien transfers automatically when you register the vehicle in your name. However, if the seller is supposed to pay off the lien before transfer, ask for written proof that the lien has been released; otherwise you may inherit the debt.
Where to File and How Long It Takes
You can file Form REG 13 by mail or in person. To file by mail, send the completed form, the title, the bill of sale, and copies of your identity and residence documents to the address printed on the form itself. DVS processes mail applications in the order received, and the timeline depends on how many applications are in the queue. Most applications take two to three weeks from the date DVS receives them, but during busy periods (spring and early summer) it can stretch to four weeks or longer.
To file in person, visit any Minnesota DVS office. You can find the office nearest you on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Bring the original documents listed above — do not send originals by mail unless you are filing by mail. In-person filing is faster; you typically receive your new title within one to two weeks. Some DVS offices offer walk-in service, but call ahead to confirm hours and whether an appointment is needed.
If you need the title urgently, ask DVS whether they offer expedited processing. Minnesota does not have a standard expedited option, but some offices may be able to prioritize your process if there is a specific reason (such as an upcoming sale or registration important date). There is no extra fee for this, but it is not may provide.
What Happens If the Seller Does Not Sign Correctly
The back of the Minnesota title has a specific section for the seller's signature. If the seller signs in the wrong spot — for example, in a section meant for a lienholder or in the odometer disclosure area — DVS will reject the process and return it to you. You will then have to contact the seller again, ask them to sign in the correct section on a new title (if the old one is unusable), and resubmit. This can add two to four weeks to the process.
Before the seller hands over the title, make sure they sign only in the "Seller's Signature" section on the back. If the title is old or the print is faint, ask the seller to use a pen with dark ink so the signature is clear. If the seller has already signed in the wrong spot and you cannot get a corrected title, contact DVS to ask whether they can accept the process anyway; sometimes they will, but do not count on it.
Transferring a Title From Out of State
If you bought the vehicle in another state and are now registering it in Minnesota, you will need the title from that state, not a Minnesota title. Submit the out-of-state title along with Form REG 13, your bill of sale, and your identity and residence documents. DVS will process the out-of-state title and issue a new Minnesota title in your name.
Some states issue titles that are difficult to read or that use different signature sections. If you are unsure whether the out-of-state title is signed correctly, call the Minnesota DVS office before you mail it in. They can tell you whether the signature is in the right place and whether the title is acceptable. This takes five minutes and can save you weeks of back-and-forth.
If the out-of-state title is a lien title (meaning a lender's name is on it), that lien transfers to the Minnesota title automatically. You do not need to do anything to move the lien from one state to another — it follows the vehicle. However, if the lender is supposed to release the lien before you take ownership, get written proof of the release and include it with your process.
Handling Titles With Liens or Multiple Owners
If the vehicle is financed, the lender's name appears on the title as a lienholder. When you transfer the title to your name, the lender's name stays on it. You cannot remove the lienholder until the loan is paid off. Once you pay off the loan, the lender will send you a release document or a new title with the lien removed. At that point, you can file another Form REG 13 to update the title if you want, but it is not required — the lien release is proof that you own the vehicle free and clear.
If the title lists two owners (for example, a husband and wife), both owners must sign the back of the title when transferring it. If only one owner signs, DVS will reject the process. If one owner is unavailable or unwilling to sign, you may need a court order or a notarized document explaining why. Contact DVS before you file to ask what they will accept.
If you are buying the vehicle with someone else and want both names on the new title, you and the other buyer should both sign the process and provide both names on Form REG 13. You will both need to provide identity and residence documents. The new title will list both of you as owners.
Common Reasons DVS Rejects Title Transfer Applications
The most common reason for rejection is an unsigned or incorrectly signed title. The second most common is a missing or illegible bill of sale. The third is missing or expired proof of identity. Before you mail your process, check that the seller has signed the title in the correct section, that the bill of sale is complete and signed by both parties, and that your identity document is current.
Another frequent issue is a mismatch between the name on the title and the name on your identity document. If your legal name has changed since you got your ID, bring a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order showing the name change. If the seller's name on the title does not match the name on the bill of sale, ask the seller to explain the discrepancy in writing — for example, if they sold the vehicle under a nickname or a former name.
If DVS rejects your process, they will send you a letter explaining why. Read it carefully and fix the problem before you resubmit. Do not assume you know what went wrong — the letter will tell you exactly what DVS needs. Resubmit the corrected process as soon as possible to avoid further delays.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I drive the vehicle before the new title arrives?
Yes, you can drive it once you have registered it. However, title transfer and vehicle registration are separate processes. You need to register the vehicle (which requires a different form and fee) before you can legally drive it. Some people complete both the title transfer and registration at the same time. Check the Minnesota DVS website for registration requirements and fees.
What if the seller lost the title?
The seller can request a duplicate title from Minnesota DVS using Form REG 13 and paying a $13.25 fee. They will need to provide their identity and proof of ownership. Once they have the duplicate, they can sign it and give it to you. If the seller is out of state, they can request a duplicate from their state's DMV. This adds time to the process, so ask the seller to start this when ready if the title is missing.
Do I need to get the vehicle inspected before I transfer the title?
Minnesota does not require a safety inspection for title transfer. However, you will need to register the vehicle, and registration may require an inspection depending on the vehicle's age and history. Check the registration requirements on the Minnesota DVS website or call your local DVS office to confirm whether an inspection is needed before you register.
What if I bought the vehicle from a dealer instead of a private seller?
Dealers handle title transfer differently than private sellers. Most dealers will file the title transfer paperwork on your behalf as part of the sale. Ask the dealer whether they are handling the transfer or whether you need to do it yourself. If you are responsible for it, the process is the same — you file Form REG 13 with the dealer's signature on the bill of sale instead of a private seller's signature.
How much does a Minnesota title transfer cost?
The title transfer fee is $13.25. You may owe additional fees if you are registering the vehicle for the first time in Minnesota or if the vehicle requires an inspection. Registration fees vary based on the vehicle's weight and type. Check the Minnesota DVS website for a complete fee schedule, or call your local DVS office for an estimate.