What you need to do to get a Texas title

To get a Texas vehicle title, you submit an process to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with proof of ownership, proof of identity, and payment. The process differs depending on whether you're titling a vehicle for the first time, transferring ownership from someone else, or replacing a lost title. Texas processes most title applications within 7 to 10 business days if submitted in person at a DMV office, or 15 to 20 business days if mailed in.

You cannot register a vehicle in Texas without a title first. The title proves you own the vehicle and is required before you can legally drive it on public roads. If you buy a used car from a private seller, the seller must sign over their title to you, and you then submit it with your process. If you buy from a dealer, the dealer usually handles the title transfer on your behalf.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit Form VTR 130 (process for Texas Title) along with proof of ownership, a valid ID, and payment to the Texas DMV.
  • If you are transferring a title from a previous owner, you need their signed title document and proof they owned the vehicle.
  • You can explore in person at any Texas DMV office, by mail to the DMV headquarters in Austin, or through an authorized county tax assessor-collector office.
  • Processing takes 7 to 10 business days in person or 15 to 20 business days by mail, and you will receive your title by mail at the address you provide.
  • The title fee in Texas is $28 for a standard passenger vehicle, though fees vary slightly for motorcycles, commercial vehicles, and other types.

Documents you must submit with your process

The Texas DMV requires Form VTR 130 (process for Texas Title) as your main process document. You can read this form from the Texas DMV website or pick one up at any DMV office. You must fill it out completely and sign it in front of a notary public or a DMV employee—you cannot sign it at home and mail it in.

You also need proof of ownership. If the vehicle is new and came with a manufacturer's certificate of origin, submit that. If you are buying from a private seller, you need the signed title from the previous owner. If the previous owner lost their title, they must first get a replacement title before they can sign it over to you. If you are buying from a dealer, the dealer provides a document showing they own the vehicle and are transferring it to you.

Bring a valid government-issued photo ID—a Texas driver's license, passport, or military ID all work. You also need proof of residency if your ID does not show your current address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days will work. Finally, bring payment for the title fee, which is $28 for most passenger vehicles. The DMV accepts cash, check, or credit card.

Where and how to submit your process

You have three main options for submitting your title process. The fastest is to go in person to any Texas DMV office. You can find the office nearest you on the Texas DMV website by entering your zip code. Bring all your documents, fill out the form in front of a DMV employee, pay the fee, and you will receive a receipt. Your title will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

You can also mail your process to the Texas DMV headquarters at 4000 Jackson Avenue, Austin, TX 78731. Your form must be notarized before you mail it—you cannot have a DMV employee witness your signature by mail. Processing takes 15 to 20 business days, and your title will be mailed to the address you list on the form. Include a check or money order for the title fee; the DMV does not accept credit cards by mail.

A third option is to visit an authorized county tax assessor-collector office in your county. Not all counties offer this service, so check the Texas DMV website to see if your county participates. These offices can process your process the same way a DMV office does, with the same 7 to 10 business day timeline.

Transferring a title from a previous owner

When you buy a vehicle from someone else, the previous owner must sign the back of their title and give it to you. This signature transfers ownership to you. The previous owner should also provide you with the odometer reading at the time of sale, which you will need to write on the title or on a separate document.

Once you have the signed title, you submit it along with your completed Form VTR 130 to the DMV. The DMV will cancel the previous owner's title and issue a new one in your name. If the previous owner lost their title, they must first request a replacement title from the DMV before they can sign it over to you. This adds extra time to the process, so ask the seller to get their replacement title before you complete the purchase.

If you are buying from a licensed dealer, the dealer handles the title transfer for you. They submit the paperwork on your behalf and you receive the title in your name. Dealers are required by Texas law to complete the transfer within 30 days of the sale.

Getting a replacement title if yours is lost or damaged

If your title is lost, stolen, or too damaged to use, you can request a replacement from the Texas DMV. Submit Form VTR 130 just as you would for a new title, but mark the box that says you are requesting a duplicate or replacement title. You will need your vehicle identification number (VIN), which you can find on your registration, insurance card, or the driver's side dashboard of your vehicle.

You do not need the original title to get a replacement—that is the point of the replacement process. You do need proof of identity and residency, just as with a new title. The fee for a replacement title is the same as a new title: $28 for most passenger vehicles. Processing time is the same as well: 7 to 10 business days in person or 15 to 20 business days by mail.

What happens after you submit your process

After you submit your process, the Texas DMV reviews it to make sure all documents are complete and correct. If something is missing or incorrect, the DMV will contact you by mail or phone to ask for more information. This can delay your title by several weeks, so double-check that your form is filled out completely and all signatures are present before you submit.

Once the DMV approves your process, they issue your title and mail it to the address you provided on the form. Your title is a legal document that proves you own the vehicle. Keep it in a safe place—you will need it if you ever sell the vehicle, trade it in, or get a loan against it. You do not need your title to register or drive the vehicle once it is issued, but you should keep it with your important documents.

If you do not receive your title within the expected timeframe, contact the Texas DMV by phone or through their website. Have your process receipt number ready. The DMV can look up your process and tell you the status.

Title fees and what they cover

The standard title fee in Texas is $28 for a passenger vehicle. Motorcycles cost $23, and commercial vehicles have different fees depending on their weight and type. You pay this fee once when you first title the vehicle in Texas. If you later transfer the title to someone else, they pay the fee when they title it in their name.

The title fee covers the cost of the DMV processing your process, issuing your title, and mailing it to you. It does not cover registration, which is a separate fee you pay to register your vehicle for the road. You can title a vehicle without registering it, but you cannot legally drive it without both a title and a registration.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive my vehicle while I wait for my title to arrive?

No. You cannot legally drive a vehicle on public roads in Texas without both a title and a registration. Once you submit your title process, you receive a receipt. Some people mistakenly think this receipt allows them to drive, but it does not. You must wait for your actual title to arrive before you can register the vehicle and drive it legally.

What if the previous owner will not sign the title?

If you have a bill of sale or other proof that you bought the vehicle but the seller refuses to sign the title, you can file a complaint with the Texas DMV or contact a lawyer. The DMV has a process for handling disputed titles, but it can take time. If you bought from a dealer and the dealer refuses to transfer the title, contact the Texas Attorney General's office.

Do I need to notarize my signature if I explore in person?

No. If you explore in person at a DMV office or tax assessor-collector office, a DMV employee can witness your signature on Form VTR 130. You do not need a notary. If you mail your process, you must have your signature notarized before you mail it.

How long does a Texas title last?

A Texas title does not expire. Once the DMV issues your title, it is valid for as long as you own the vehicle. You do not need to renew it. However, your vehicle registration expires every year or two, depending on your vehicle type, and you must renew that separately.

What if I bought the vehicle out of state and need to title it in Texas?

You can title an out-of-state vehicle in Texas by submitting Form VTR 130 along with your out-of-state title and proof that you now live in Texas. The DMV will cancel your out-of-state title and issue a Texas title. You pay the standard Texas title fee. Processing time is the same as for any other title process.