When is a Title Transfer Needed?
- Buying or selling a used vehicle
- Receiving a vehicle as a gift
- Inheriting a vehicle from a deceased person
- Adding or removing a co-owner
- Paying off a vehicle loan (lien release)
Required Documents
- Signed title from seller (all owners must sign)
- Odometer disclosure statement (vehicles under 10 years old)
- Bill of sale (recommended — protects both buyer and seller)
- Valid government-issued photo ID
- Lien release letter if there was a loan on the vehicle
- Payment for title fees and sales tax
Fees
State title transfer fee: $15–$75. Plus state sales tax on the purchase price (typically 5–10%). California title fee: $21. Texas: $33. New York: $50.
Timeline Warning
Must be completed within 10–30 days after purchase (varies by state). Late transfers result in penalties.