Texas title transfer fees and what they cover
Texas charges a flat $28 title transfer fee when you buy a used vehicle and need to register it in your name. This fee goes to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and covers the cost of issuing your new title certificate. The $28 is separate from registration fees, which depend on your vehicle's weight and how long you register it for.
If you're transferring a title because you inherited a vehicle, received one as a gift, or are transferring ownership between family members, you still pay the $28 fee. The fee applies to any title transfer where the DMV issues a new certificate in a new owner's name.
Some transactions have different or no title fees. If you're registering a vehicle for the first time in Texas (one that was never titled here), you pay the $28 transfer fee plus a first-registration fee. If you're renewing an existing title you already own — meaning you're not changing ownership — there is no title fee, only a renewal registration fee.
Key Takeaways
- The Texas title transfer fee is $28 and applies whenever ownership changes hands and the DMV issues a new certificate.
- This fee is separate from registration fees, which vary based on vehicle weight and registration length.
- You pay the $28 fee whether you're buying from a dealer, a private seller, or receiving the vehicle as a gift or inheritance.
- If you're only renewing a title you already own without changing ownership, you do not pay a title fee.
- You can pay the fee in person at a DMV office, by mail, or through an online portal if you're using a third-party service.
Where and how to pay the title transfer fee
You can pay the $28 fee at any Texas DMV office in person, or by mail if you're submitting your title transfer documents by post. If you use a licensed title service company to handle the paperwork, they typically collect the fee from you upfront and submit it with your process. Some title services charge an additional service fee on top of the $28 — that extra charge goes to the service company, not the state.
If you're buying from a dealership, the dealer often handles the title transfer and collects the fee as part of your final paperwork. Make sure you understand what fees the dealer is charging you separately from the state fee. The $28 should be clearly itemized on your bill of sale or purchase agreement.
Online title services and some county tax assessor offices also accept payment for title transfers. Check the Texas DMV website to see which payment methods your local office accepts, as some locations may have different options.
Title transfer fees for different ownership situations
The $28 fee applies the same way regardless of how you acquired the vehicle. If you buy a used car from a private seller, you pay $28. If a family member gives you a vehicle, you still pay $28. If you inherit a vehicle, the fee is $28. The state does not waive or reduce the title transfer fee based on the relationship between the old and new owner.
However, some situations may involve additional fees beyond the title transfer. If the vehicle has a lien (a loan against it), the lienholder must sign off on the title transfer, but this does not add to the state fee. If you need a duplicate title because the original is lost or damaged, that costs $20 instead of $28. If you're transferring a title and also registering the vehicle for the first time in Texas, you pay both the $28 title fee and a first-registration fee based on vehicle weight.
Registration fees separate from title transfer costs
The $28 title transfer fee covers only the new title certificate. Your registration fee — the cost to legally drive the vehicle on Texas roads — is calculated separately and depends on your vehicle's weight and how long you register it for. A one-year registration for a vehicle under 6,000 pounds costs less than a two-year registration for the same vehicle.
When you transfer a title, you must also register the vehicle at the same time. The DMV will not issue a new title without a registration. So your total cost includes both the $28 title fee and whatever registration fee applies to your vehicle. Ask the DMV or your title service what the registration fee will be before you submit your process, so you know the full amount you'll owe.
If you're transferring a title and the previous owner's registration is still valid, you may be able to use the remainder of that registration period. This can lower your registration cost. Bring the old title and registration documents to the DMV so they can calculate what you owe.
What documents you need to transfer a title in Texas
To transfer a title and pay the $28 fee, you'll need the signed title certificate from the previous owner, a bill of sale, and proof of your identity and Texas residency. The signed title is the most important document — without the previous owner's signature on the back, the DMV will not process your transfer. If the title is lost or damaged, you'll need to contact the previous owner or the DMV to get a duplicate.
If the vehicle has a lien, the lienholder's name appears on the title, and they must sign off on the transfer. This usually happens when you pay off a loan at a bank or credit union. The lender will provide you with a lien release document or sign the title directly. Bring both the title and the lien release to the DMV.
Bring your driver's license or state ID and proof of residency (a utility bill, lease, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days). If you're transferring a title by mail, send copies of these documents, not originals. The DMV will return your documents after processing.
Timeline and processing for title transfers
Once you submit your title transfer process and pay the $28 fee, the DMV typically processes it within 7 to 10 business days if you explore in person. If you mail your process, add 5 to 10 days for postal delivery each way, so expect 2 to 3 weeks total. During this time, you can drive the vehicle if you have a temporary registration receipt from the DMV.
If you use a title service company, they may process your process faster because they submit documents directly to the DMV. However, you'll pay their service fee on top of the state fee. Ask the service company how long processing typically takes before you pay.
Your new title certificate will arrive by mail at the address you provide on your process. Keep it in a safe place — you'll need it if you sell the vehicle, refinance a loan, or transfer the title again. If your title is lost or damaged after you receive it, you can request a duplicate for $20.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay the $28 title fee if I'm just renewing my registration?
No. The $28 title transfer fee only applies when ownership changes and the DMV issues a new title in a new owner's name. If you already own the vehicle and are renewing your registration, you pay only the registration fee, which varies by vehicle weight and registration length.
Can I transfer a title without going to the DMV in person?
Yes. You can mail your process and documents to the DMV, or use a licensed title service company to handle it for you. Both methods cost the same $28 state fee, though a title service will charge an additional service fee. Processing takes longer by mail because of delivery time.
What if the previous owner won't sign the title?
You cannot transfer the title without the previous owner's signature on the back of the certificate. If the seller refuses to sign, you have a legal dispute that the DMV cannot resolve. Contact a lawyer or your local small claims court. If the title is lost, contact the previous owner or the DMV to request a duplicate.
Is the $28 fee the same for all vehicles?
Yes, the title transfer fee is $28 for all passenger vehicles, trucks, and motorcycles in Texas. The fee does not change based on vehicle age, value, or type. However, registration fees vary by vehicle weight, so your total cost will differ depending on what you're registering.
Do I pay the title fee if I inherit a vehicle?
Yes. Even though you did not buy the vehicle, you must transfer the title into your name to legally own and drive it, and that transfer costs $28. You may also need to provide a death certificate and proof of heirship to the DMV, but the title fee itself is the same as any other transfer.