What you need to do to transfer a car title

A car title transfer moves ownership from the seller to the buyer. You fill out the title document itself — the physical certificate of ownership — and submit it to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) along with a fee. The exact form and process vary by state, but the basic steps are the same: locate the title, complete the required fields, get signatures from both parties, and file it with proof of sale.

The title is a legal document that proves who owns the vehicle. When you buy a used car, the seller must sign it over to you. If you're selling a car, you sign it over to the buyer. The DMV then records the new owner in their system. Without a completed title transfer, the buyer won't be listed as the legal owner, and the seller remains liable for the vehicle.

Key Takeaways

  • The title document itself is what you fill out and sign — not a separate process form — and both the seller and buyer must sign it in front of a notary or witness depending on your state.
  • You will need the original title certificate, a bill of sale (which your state may require), the buyer's name and address, and proof of the sale price or trade-in value.
  • Some states require notarization of signatures; others accept a witness; some require neither — check your state DMV website to know which applies to you.
  • After both parties sign, the buyer submits the completed title to the DMV along with the filing fee, which ranges from roughly $10 to $50 depending on the state.
  • The DMV processes the transfer and mails a new title certificate to the buyer's address, which usually takes two to four weeks.

Locate your state's title form and requirements

Each state has its own title document and its own rules about how to complete it. Start by visiting your state's DMV website and searching for "title transfer" or "vehicle title." You will find a page that lists what documents you need, whether notarization is required, and what the filing fee is. Some states provide a fillable PDF you can read; others require you to use the physical certificate that came with the vehicle.

Write down your state's specific requirements before you start. For example, Florida requires a notary signature; Texas does not. Some states ask for the odometer reading; others do not. Some require a bill of sale as a separate document; others print it on the title itself. These differences matter because submitting an incomplete or incorrectly signed title will delay the transfer and may require you to resubmit.

Gather the documents you will need

Before you sit down to fill out the title, collect everything the DMV requires. You will always need the original title certificate (not a copy), the buyer's full legal name and current address, and the seller's signature. You will also need proof of the sale — usually a bill of sale that shows the sale price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the date of sale, and both parties' signatures.

Some states provide a bill of sale form on their DMV website; others accept any written agreement between buyer and seller. If your state does not require a separate bill of sale, the title document itself will have a section where you record the sale price. Gather the VIN from the vehicle or from the title certificate itself — it is a 17-character code that appears on the title, the dashboard, and the door jamb. You will also need the odometer reading if your state requires it; check the title or the vehicle's odometer directly.

Complete the seller's section of the title

The title certificate has a section for the seller to complete. This section asks for the seller's printed name, signature, and the date of sale. Some titles also ask for the seller's address and phone number. Fill in these fields in black or blue ink — do not use pencil. Print clearly and use the exact legal name that appears on the title; if the title says "Robert" but you go by "Bob," use "Robert."

The seller must sign the title in person. Some states require the signature to be notarized, meaning a notary public must watch the seller sign and then add their own stamp and signature to the document. Other states accept a witness signature instead — a third party who watches the signing and signs as a witness. A few states require neither. Check your state's DMV website to see which applies to you. If notarization is required and you skip it, the DMV will reject the title and you will have to start over.

Complete the buyer's section of the title

The buyer's section asks for the new owner's printed name, address, and signature. Use the buyer's legal name exactly as it appears on their driver's license or state ID. If the buyer is a business or organization rather than a person, use the legal business name. Some titles ask whether the buyer is buying the vehicle alone or with other owners; if there are multiple buyers, list all names and have all of them sign.

The buyer also signs the title in person. Depending on your state, this signature may need to be notarized or witnessed as well. Some states require only the seller's signature to be notarized and accept the buyer's signature without notarization. Again, check your state's rules before you sign. The buyer should not sign until they have inspected the vehicle and are ready to take ownership.

Record the sale information on the title

The title has a section for sale details: the sale price, the date of sale, and sometimes the odometer reading. Enter the actual amount paid for the vehicle, even if it was a trade-in or a gift. Some states ask you to write out the price in words as well as numbers — for example, "Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00)." If the vehicle was a gift, write "Gift" or "$0" depending on what your state's form instructs.

The odometer reading is the number of miles on the vehicle at the time of sale. This appears on the title form and is used to prevent odometer fraud. If your state requires it, read the odometer directly from the dashboard and record the exact number. The date of sale is the date the buyer takes possession of the vehicle, not the date you sign the paperwork — these are often the same day but not always.

Submit the completed title to your state DMV

Once both the seller and buyer have signed, and all notarization or witnessing is complete, the buyer submits the title to the DMV. The buyer can do this in person at a DMV office, by mail, or online if your state offers electronic filing. Check your state's website to see which methods are available. If you mail the title, send it to the address listed on the DMV website and keep a copy for your records.

Include the filing fee with your submission. This fee varies by state — it is typically between $10 and $50. Some states charge a flat rate; others charge based on the vehicle's age or value. Pay by check, money order, or credit card depending on what your state accepts. If you submit the title in person, bring a photo ID and be prepared to wait in line. Processing time is usually two to four weeks; the DMV will mail the new title certificate to the buyer's address once the transfer is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if the title has two owners listed and only one is selling?

Both owners must sign the title for the transfer to be valid, even if only one is selling. If the owners are married or in a civil partnership, your state may have special rules — check your DMV website. If the owners are not married and one refuses to sign, the buyer cannot take legal ownership and should not complete the purchase.

Can I fill out the title in pencil or use white-out to fix a mistake?

No. Use black or blue ink only. If you make a mistake, most states require you to cross out the error with a single line, initial and date the correction, and have both parties initial it as well. Some states will not accept corrections at all and require you to request a duplicate title and start over. Check your state's rules before you begin filling out the form.

What happens if I lose the original title certificate?

You cannot transfer a title without the original certificate. Contact your state DMV and request a duplicate or replacement title. This usually costs $10 to $25 and takes one to two weeks. Once you have the duplicate, you can proceed with the transfer as normal. Do not attempt to transfer ownership using a photocopy.

Do I need a bill of sale if the title has a sales section?

It depends on your state. Some states require a separate bill of sale document even if the title has a sales section; others do not. Check your state's DMV website or call the DMV to confirm. If your state requires one, the bill of sale serves as proof of the transaction and protects both buyer and seller in case of a dispute.

What if the buyer and seller live in different states?

The transfer is filed in the state where the vehicle is being registered, which is usually the buyer's state. The buyer submits the completed title to their own state's DMV. The seller's state does not need to be involved. However, the buyer may need to register the vehicle in their state within a certain time frame — check their state's rules for new residents or out-of-state purchases.