What you need to do to transfer a title in Texas
To transfer a vehicle title in Texas, you submit Form VTR-130 (process for Texas Title) to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about two to three weeks by mail, or you can complete it in person at a county tax assessor-collector's office, which is faster. The tax assessor-collector's office handles title transfers for your county — not the DMV directly — so you'll go there whether you're buying a used car, inheriting one, or transferring ownership between family members.
The cost varies by county but typically ranges from $28 to $33 for a standard title transfer. If the vehicle has a lien (a loan against it), the lienholder must sign off on the transfer, and their name stays on the title until the loan is paid off. If you're buying from a private seller, you need their signature on the bill of sale and their existing title document.
Key Takeaways
- Form VTR-130 is the official process you submit to transfer ownership, along with the current title, a bill of sale, and the transfer fee.
- You submit your paperwork to your county's tax assessor-collector's office, not a state DMV office, because Texas handles titles at the county level.
- If the vehicle has a lien, the lender must release it or sign the title before you can transfer ownership to yourself.
- Processing takes two to three weeks by mail or same-day to a few days in person, depending on how busy your county office is.
- The seller must sign the title in the designated transfer section, and you must have a bill of sale showing the purchase price and date.
Where to submit your title transfer paperwork
Your county tax assessor-collector's office is the only place that processes title transfers in Texas. You can find the office for your county on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website by searching for your county name. Each office has its own hours and processing times, so call ahead or check their website before you go.
If you mail your paperwork, send it to the address listed for your county office. Include a check or money order for the transfer fee — do not send cash. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. If you go in person, bring the original title, Form VTR-130 completed and signed, the bill of sale, and your payment method (cash, check, or card, depending on what the office accepts).
Documents the seller must provide
The current owner must sign the title in the "Transfer of Ownership by Seller" section on the back. This signature is required — the transfer cannot be processed without it. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller can request a duplicate from their county tax assessor-collector's office before the sale, or you can request it on their behalf if they give you written permission.
You also need a bill of sale, which is a written record of the sale showing the vehicle identification number (VIN), the purchase price, the date of sale, and signatures from both buyer and seller. Texas does not have a required bill of sale form, so you can write one yourself or use a template — the tax assessor-collector's office has a sample on their website. The bill of sale protects both of you by documenting the transaction.
What to do if there is a lien on the vehicle
A lien means someone else has a legal claim to the vehicle because you owe them money — usually a bank or credit union that financed the purchase. The lienholder's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer the title to your name until the lien is released.
If you are buying a vehicle with a lien still on it, the seller's lender must sign a release form and provide it to you before closing. Some lenders release the lien electronically to the tax assessor-collector's office, so ask the seller's lender what their process is. Once the lien is released, you proceed with the normal transfer. If you are transferring a vehicle you own but still owe money on, your own lender's name stays on the title as the lienholder until you pay off the loan.
Completing Form VTR-130 correctly
Form VTR-130 asks for the vehicle information (VIN, make, model, year), the current owner's name and address, the new owner's name and address, and the odometer reading. You can read the form from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles website or pick one up at your county tax assessor-collector's office. Fill it out in black or blue ink and sign it in the designated signature line.
If you are buying the vehicle, you are the new owner and you sign. If the seller is transferring it to you, they sign as the current owner in the appropriate section of the form. If there are multiple owners or buyers, each person must sign. Do not leave any required fields blank — the office will return incomplete forms and delay your transfer.
Processing time and what happens after you submit
By mail, your transfer takes two to three weeks from the date the tax assessor-collector's office receives it. In person, you may get your new title the same day if the office is not busy, or within a few days. Call your county office to ask about current wait times before you go.
Once approved, you receive a new title with your name as the owner. If you financed the vehicle, the lender's name appears as the lienholder. Keep this title in a safe place — you need it to register the vehicle, to sell it later, or to prove ownership. If you lose it, you can request a duplicate from the tax assessor-collector's office for a small fee.
Special situations: inherited vehicles and family transfers
If you inherit a vehicle, the process is different. You need the deceased owner's title, a certified copy of the death certificate, and proof that you are the legal heir (usually a will or court order). Some counties require an affidavit of heirship instead. Contact your county tax assessor-collector's office to ask what documents they need for an inheritance transfer, because requirements vary.
If you are transferring a vehicle between family members — for example, from a parent to a child — you still need Form VTR-130, a bill of sale, and the transfer fee, even though no money changes hands. The bill of sale can show a price of $0 or the fair market value of the vehicle. This protects both of you legally and ensures the title is properly recorded in the new owner's name.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title if the seller is out of state?
Yes. The seller can sign the title and bill of sale and mail them to you, or you can have them notarized and mailed. You then submit everything to your county tax assessor-collector's office along with Form VTR-130 and the fee. The seller does not have to be present in Texas for the transfer to be processed.
What if the title has the wrong name or information on it?
The current owner must request a corrected title from their county tax assessor-collector's office before the sale. If you discover an error after you transfer it to your name, you can request a corrected title yourself, but it is easier to fix it before the transfer. Bring proof of the error, such as a bill of sale or registration document.
Do I need to register the vehicle at the same time as the title transfer?
No, but you must register it within 30 days of the transfer to drive it legally on Texas roads. Registration is separate from the title transfer and is handled at the same county tax assessor-collector's office. You can do both at once to save a trip.
What if I buy a vehicle from a dealer instead of a private seller?
Dealers handle the title transfer for you as part of the sale. They submit the paperwork to the tax assessor-collector's office and you receive your new title by mail. You still need to register the vehicle within 30 days. Ask the dealer when you can expect to receive your title.
Can I transfer a title online in Texas?
No. Texas requires you to submit Form VTR-130 and supporting documents in person or by mail to your county tax assessor-collector's office. There is no online title transfer system. However, some counties may offer electronic filing for certain transactions — call your local office to ask.