What documents are needed to transfer a car title

How do I transfer a car title and what do I need to complete the vehicle title transfer process? Good questions. Whenever you buy or sell a car or change your name after marriage or a divorce, you need to transfer your vehicle title.

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A title transfer will change the title of ownership to your current name or to the name of the person to whom you sold or gifted the car. A car title transfer is a document proving who is the legal owner of the vehicle.

How To Transfer A Title In Each State

The title transfer process varies from state to state, so you’ll have to contact your DMV title transfer agency to find out what the specific requirements are. However, it typically is as easy as turning in the titled signed over to you by the seller or gift-er. You’ll very likely need to complete a form or two which most DMVs should be able to give you at the window. You’ll need an ID and possibly a proof of residence document like a utility bill.

Since each state has slightly different requirements, it’s important to know what those are before handing money over to the seller of a car. For example, Pennsylvania requires that the signatures on the title, yours and the seller’s, be notarized. New York often requires a Bill of Sale signed by both you and the seller in addition to the title.

Most state DMV’s have websites that guide you through the steps and provide downloadable title forms. In some cases, a DMV may allow you to mail in the your documents and forms which saves you a trip a possibly crowded DMV office.

What Do I Need To Transfer A Car Title?

Here’s a list of documents required by most state DMVs in order to facilitate the transfer process:

• Completed Title Transfer Application Form, signed by you and possibly notarized.
• Proof of Car Insurance Coverage.
• Insurance Policy Documents with Name and Date.
• All Vehicle Documents from Seller, Like the title and possibly a Bill of Sale.
• Driver’s License or Government Issued ID

If you inherit a car from your spouse and the will goes through probate, you’ll need to provide a court certificate or certificate copy of the will.

Buying A Car from a Dealer

If you buy a car from a car dealer and finance it, the dealership will usually handle the DMV title transfer and vehicle registration paperwork for you. If you pay it in full, they may still do all the title and registration work for you but they may only provide you with a temp tag and require you to complete the transfer on your own.

Buying A Car from a Private Sale

“Private Sale” is often used to describe purchasing a vehicle from another person. In such cases, the car would always be used and have a title that is in the sellers name or held by their financing company if they financed the vehicle. Whether financed or not, the seller needs to provide you the title which means that if they don’t have it, they need to request from their financing company or obtain a duplicate title.

While some states, like California, allow you to transfer a vehicle to your name without the title, you are still required to have valid documents signed by the seller in order to take the place of the title.

Most states require the title signed by the seller. If the seller never provide the title or you lost the title before completing the transfer, you may be able to look into the bonded title process. A private company licensed to provided title bonds would ask you for the documentation or other proof that you have to prove you are the owner of the vehicle and then basically insure your claim to the vehicle. The process can be complex and not all states accept bonded titles. Make sure to check with your local DMV first and vet any bonded title company you choose to work with.

Title Transfer Deadline

Most states have a deadline to complete a title transfer. If you go over the deadline, there will be a late fee added to the transfer fees.

Typically, a new title is mailed out within two weeks. Overall, completing a title transfer is relatively seamless process as long as you have all required documents and properly navigate the process, especially acquiring a bill of sale if purchasing a new vehicle.

If you need to transfer vehicle ownership you may do so only at a motor vehicle agency this type of transaction cannot be handled through the mail. To ensure the proper transfer of documents and to avoid penalties, please follow these guidelines.

If you sold or bought a vehicle

The Seller must:

• Remove the plates and surrender them to a motor vehicle agency or full service agency, unless the plates are being transferred to another vehicle (plates can be transferred to another vehicle, but not to another owner).
• Sign in the seller's section of the reverse side of the title and give it to the buyer, along with a bill of sale including the following information:
  • Buyer's name and address;
  • Date of sale;
  • Mileage odometer reading (see below); and
  • Sale price.

The Buyer must:

Transfer of title upon death of owner

A vehicle registered in the name of a decedent may be operated for 30 days after the date of death.  All documents must be brought to a motor vehicle agency or full service agency to complete the transaction. 

If the title is in both the husband and wife’s name:

• Submit the old title, a copy of the death certificate and a notarized Affidavit (Form BA-62)
• The $60 title fee will apply (the existing registration can be transferred for an additional $4.50).  If the vehicle was left in a will:
• Submit the old title properly assigned by the executor of the estate and a Surrogate's Short Certificate
• Pay the $60 title fee (the existing registration can be transferred to an immediate member of the family for $4.50)

To transfer ownership to the estate

• Apply for a Entity Identification Number (EIN – formerly CorpCode).
• Once received, bring the EIN, the old title, the Surrogate's Short Certificate, and your driver’s license as proof of identification to a motor vehicle agency.
• Pay the $60 title fee (or $85 for a financed vehicle title fee)
• In addition, a new registration and proof of New Jersey insurance in the estate name is necessary if the vehicle will be operated.

If the owner dies without a will

• Where there is a surviving spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner and the estate does not exceed $50,000
• Present the current title along with an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner/Civil Union Partner, which must include the raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.  An original death certificate and a notarized MVC Affidavit (Form BA-62) are also required.
• Where there are heirs, but no surviving spouse, domestic partner or civil union partner and the estate does not exceed $20,000:
• Present the current title with an Affidavit of Next of Kin, which must include a raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.
• Where the estate is worth more than the amounts listed above:
• The title can be transferred to the surviving spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, heir or buyer by presenting the old title properly assigned and executed by the Administrator of the estate, along with an Administrator’s Short Certificate, which must include the raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.

The MVC accepts American Express® card, Visa® card, MasterCard®, Discover card®, check, money order or cash.

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