You need a release of interest form, your co-owner's signature, and a trip to your state's DMV

Removing a name from a car title requires your co-owner to sign a release of interest or transfer form — the exact document name varies by state. You then file that signed form with your state's DMV or equivalent agency, along with the current title and a fee (usually $15 to $50). The person staying on the title becomes the sole owner; the person being removed has no further claim to the vehicle.

This is different from selling the car to someone else. You are not transferring ownership to a new buyer — you are removing one current owner's name while keeping the other's. The process takes two to six weeks in most states, though some allow you to walk out with a new title the same day if you handle it in person.

Key Takeaways

  • Both owners must sign the release of interest or transfer form, even if only one name is being removed.
  • You will need the current title, the signed form, and a fee to submit to your DMV; some states also require a bill of sale.
  • The person being removed loses all ownership rights and cannot claim the vehicle later.
  • If your co-owner will not sign, you cannot remove their name without a court order, which requires proving they abandoned the vehicle or breached an agreement.

What document you need and where to get it

Your state's DMV website has a form for removing an owner from a title. Search "[your state] DMV release of interest" or "[your state] transfer of ownership form" — most states use one of those names. Some states call it a power of attorney or assignment of title, but the function is the same: it removes one owner's name and transfers their rights to the remaining owner.

read the form from your state's official DMV or Secretary of State website. Do not use a generic form from another state or a third-party legal site — your state's DMV will reject it. If you cannot find the form online, call your local DMV office and ask them to mail it to you or tell you where to pick it up in person.

The signature requirement and what happens if your co-owner refuses

Both the person staying on the title and the person being removed must sign the release form in front of a notary public. Some states allow you to sign in front of a DMV employee instead, but most require a notary. The notary verifies your identity and watches you sign — they do not judge whether the removal is fair or whether both parties agree. If your co-owner refuses to sign, you cannot remove their name without a court order.

Getting a court order requires filing a lawsuit in your state's civil court, proving either that your co-owner abandoned the vehicle or that you have a legal right to sole ownership (for example, a divorce decree that awarded you the car). This is expensive and slow — expect to spend $500 to $2,000 in legal fees and wait several months. Most people in this situation sell the car and split the proceeds instead, or keep both names on the title and handle the removal later when circumstances change.

Documents and fees to bring to the DMV

Bring the current title, the signed and notarized release form, and your state's fee (typically $15 to $50). Some states also require a bill of sale — a straightforward document signed by both owners stating the sale price (you can write $0 if no money changed hands) and the date. Check your state's DMV website to see if a bill of sale is required before you go.

Bring a photo ID and proof of residency (a utility bill or lease). If you are removing a name for someone else — for example, you are the remaining owner and your ex-spouse is being removed — bring a copy of any court order that gives you the right to do so (a divorce decree, for instance). If the co-owner is not present, bring a notarized power of attorney signed by them, authorizing you to handle the removal on their behalf.

What happens at the DMV and how long it takes

Walk in or make an appointment at your local DMV office with all documents and the fee. A clerk will review your paperwork, scan or copy the documents, and process the removal. In some states, you walk out with a new title the same day. In others, the DMV mails the new title to you within two to six weeks.

Ask the clerk before you leave whether you will receive the new title in person or by mail, and what the expected timeline is. If the DMV mails it, ask for a receipt showing the removal was processed — this protects you if the title gets lost in the mail and you need proof you filed it. Do not drive the car as the sole owner until you have the new title in hand, because you cannot prove ownership if you are stopped by police.

If the car has a lien (a loan against it)

If the car is financed and the lender holds the title, you cannot remove a name without the lender's permission. The lender owns the title until the loan is paid off. Contact your lender and ask whether they will allow a name removal. Most will not, because both owners are legally responsible for the debt.

Your options are to pay off the loan in full (the lender then releases the title to you), refinance the loan in one owner's name alone (the lender may require a credit check and may deny it), or keep both names on the title until the loan is paid off. If you refinance, the person being removed must sign the new loan documents, and the lender will issue a new title with only the refinancing owner's name.

Removing a name after divorce or separation

If a divorce decree or separation agreement says the car goes to one spouse, that person can remove the other's name using the same process — the decree serves as proof of the right to do so. Bring a certified copy of the relevant page of the decree to the DMV along with the release form and other documents.

If the decree does not mention the car, or if you and your ex-spouse agreed informally to remove a name, you still need their signature on the release form. If they refuse, you will need to go back to court and ask the judge to enforce the decree or modify it. This is why it is worth getting the removal done quickly after a divorce, while both parties are still willing to cooperate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I remove a name if the other owner is dead?

No, not through the standard removal process. You will need a death certificate and a court order (usually from probate court) showing that you inherited the car or have the right to it. Bring these to the DMV instead of a signature from the deceased owner. The process varies by state, so call your DMV and ask what documents they need.

What if I remove a name and the other person claims they still own the car?

Once the DMV issues a new title with only your name, you are the legal owner. The other person has no claim unless they can prove a court order was ignored or the removal was fraudulent. Keep your receipt and the new title in a safe place. If they try to claim the car later, you have proof of the legal removal.

Do I have to remove a name, or can I just keep both names on the title?

You can keep both names on the title indefinitely. Both owners remain legally responsible for the vehicle and any debt against it. Removal is only necessary if one owner wants to sell their share, if you are divorcing, or if one owner wants no further connection to the car.

How much does it cost to remove a name from the title?

The DMV fee is typically $15 to $50, depending on your state. You will also pay a notary $10 to $25 to witness the signatures. If you need a lawyer because your co-owner refuses to sign, expect $500 to $2,000 in legal fees.

Can I remove a name online or by mail?

Some states allow you to mail in the paperwork, but most require you to appear in person at a DMV office. Check your state's DMV website to see whether mail-in removal is an option. Even if it is allowed, the co-owner being removed must still sign the form in front of a notary, so both of you will need to coordinate with a notary regardless.