How To Transfer Your Car Title If Youve Lost It
A car title is often nothing more than a piece of paper, which makes it easy to lose or misplace. If you want to sell your vehicle but cant find your car title, youll have to contact your local DMV before you can transfer ownership of the vehicle. This is because youll need a duplicate or replacement car title issued before you can go through with the transfer.
The process for replacing your car title can vary, so check the DMV website for your state to see the steps. Its not uncommon to have to fill out and submit a form or two, as well as pay a duplicate title fee.
Keep in mind that the process for getting a duplicate title may take some time, possibly a week or more. Figure this processing time into your plans if youre looking to sell your vehicle soon.
How Do You Transfer A Car Title
The process of transferring a car title varies slightly by state. The American Automobile Association has a handy list of title transfer laws by state, but its also a good idea to visit your local DMV or transportation agency website to verify whats required where you live.
Generally, though, how you start the process can depend on how you go about selling your car, whether to a private party or to a dealer either for cash or as a trade-in.
If a private seller buys your car: Youll need to fill out a title certificate, which may include listing the odometer reading, disclosing any damage and signing your name.
If you have a loan on your car: Your lender may hold the title, and you may need to contact it about next steps. Typically, once you pay off the loan, the bank will send you the title. Then, the bank will usually need to send your states transportation agency a letter showing the loan has been paid and that the lien is satisfied.
What Is A Car Title Transfer In Florida
Motorists who are wondering about title transfer requirements in Florida are highly recommended to first learn what a certificate of title is and when it may be used. A car title is a legal document issued by the FLHSMV and it may be used as proof of ownership because it contains important information about the motor vehicle in question.
Therefore, a car title transfer is a procedure that motorists need to perform when they want to transfer the ownership rights over a motor vehicle to another legal entity. Vehicle owners who want to perform title transfers for cars in Florida are encouraged to discover more information about the procedure beforehand.
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Giving A Vehicle As A Gift
You can give or receive a vehicle as a gift in Florida.
You will simply complete a vehicle title transfer just as you would when you buy or sell a car.
Be sure to complete one of the following as proof that you gave or received the vehicle at no cost:
- Paper title issued additional fee: $2.50.
- ADD $2 lien fee for each lien.
You’ll also pay vehicle registration fees if you’re registering your vehicle at the same time.
What Is The Difference Between Vehicle Ownership Permit And Vehicle Registration
Vehicle ownership is the process of purchasing a car. The permit is the green piece of paper provided to you by the seller. Vehicle registration is the process of registering your vehicle with the province of Ontario.
To register you will need proof of insurance, a valid license plate and plate sticker. This process can be completed at any ServiceOntario location.
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What Are The Title Transfer Fees In Va
The Virginia DMV charges the following fees for car title transfers and other title transactions:
- Title transfer fee : $15.
- New VA title fee: $15.
- Substitute title fee : $15.
- Replacement title fee: $15.
You may also have to pay:
- Motor vehicle sales and use tax : 4.15% of the vehicle price OR $75 .
- Registration fees.
Name And Address Changes
You should update the NJ MVC when yourname changes or when you move to a new address.
See ourName Change and Address Change pages to learn about updating your driver’s license and vehicle registration.
For changes to your title, contact the NJ MVC at 292-6500 or visit your localMVC agent.
NOTE: See âCorrecting Title Errors” below if you need to fix a mistake in your name or address.
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Pay Off Your Loan To Receive Your Vehicle Title
Most of the time, lenders keep the title on file until the associated loan is paid off, at which time they send the original title document to the vehicles owner. In some states, owners may receive the lien release instead. Once you have possession of the title, its important to keep it in a safe place. Storing the title in your vehicle is not recommended.
Title Transfers When Selling A Car In Alabama
When you sell your car, the buyer is responsible for completing the DMV title transfer. However, it is your responsibility to do the following:
- Fill all required fields on the title certificate to assign it to the buyer.
- Complete a bill of sale.
If you have misplaced your title certificate, you can order a duplicate title.
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Special Title Transfer Situations
There are some things to consider, however, when a title transfer falls outside the usual private seller or dealership scenario:
- Gifting a vehicle to a family member still requires a title transfer. Depending on the state, some fees and taxes might be waived. A family member typically includes a spouse, children, partners, parents, siblings, grandparents, and grandchildren.
- A vehicle with out-of-state plates could require the new states DMV to run additional checks of the VIN theres also likely to be extra processing fees.
- If the title is missing, states often allow owners to request a duplicate. Again, the vehicles information will be needed and typically, theres a fee. Learn how to replace a lost car title.
- A vehicle donated to a charitable organization is typically exempt from taxes. Proof of the donation is needed, there can be no liens on the vehicle, and the giver must have sole ownership of the car.
- When there is a loan on a vehicle, the lender/bank usually holds onto the cars title. Once the loan is repaid, the bank will send the title to the vehicles owner, along with notification to the DMV that payment has been made in full.
- Inheriting a car requires additional documentation, such as proof of a familial relationship, a death certificate, and possibly a copy of the will. Once that paperwork is settled, the rest of the title transfer process is handled like any normal car purchase.
Inheriting Through Joint Ownership
If you are the joint owner of a motor vehicle with the deceased person, you can transfer the title ONLY IF:
- Your names are linked with âor”.OR
- The names on the title are followed by âor survivor”.
Submit the following in person at a VA DMV office to apply for a car title transfer AND vehicle registration:
- The death certificate, either certified or notarized.
- The Virginia DMV can request a copy of the death certificate from the Office of Vital Records, if needed.
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Whether Its Bittersweet Or Just A Relief To Sell Your Car Offloading Your Old Wheels Requires Some Paperwork Including Transferring The Car Title To The New Owner
The process for transferring a car title varies by state, but generally involves a handful of steps. You cant just hand it over.
Lets take a look at how to transfer a car title, as well as what issues may arise, so you can get it done as quickly and easily as possible.
Heavy Diesel Commercial Motor Vehicles
Used heavy diesel commercial motor vehicles with a model year older than the current year require a valid emissions test pass when they are sold in order to transfer the ownership.
Applicable vehicles include transport trucks, pickup trucks, delivery vans, buses, tow trucks, dump trucks and cement trucks that have a registered gross weight of more than 4,500 kg and run on diesel fuel.
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How To Transfer A Car Title
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A car title is a document that proves who owns a vehicle. When you sell your car, the title must be legally transferred to the new owner so that person can complete the registration process.
Lets start with a small point of clarification: The cars title, sometimes called the pink slip, isnt always pink anymore. Regardless of its color, the title is issued by your states department of motor vehicles. Beyond indicating who owns the car, the title also includes the vehicle identification number, the mileage at the time of sale and what type of car it is.
More Complicated Scenarios In Transferring A Car Title
There are some situations in which its slightly more complicated to transfer a car title. If you have a car loan, its possible that your lender is holding the cars title. If youre looking to sell your car, most states will require you to also include a lender affidavit. This shows that the lender is aware of the change in ownership. In most cases, the lender will require you to pay off the existing loan in full before you can transfer the car title.
Another scenario to be aware of is what happens after you sign the title and give it to the new owner. Until the buyer takes title to the car in their name, you are still legally responsible for it. For that reason, its often recommended that the seller accompany the buyer to the title office. That way, you can make sure that the buyer puts the title in their own name.
One exception to this might be if you are selling your car to a dealership . The rules vary by state, but in many cases, the dealer will not actually take the title in their name. Instead, they will have you sign the title, then hold onto it until it can be processed in the name of the end buyer. Most states have a time limit, such as 30 or 45 days, in which the new buyer must apply for a title.
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Joint Ownership With Rights Of Survivorship
When a Nebraska Certificate of Title to a motor vehicle indicates ownership by more than one individual or Joint Ownership, and the names on the face of the title are separated by the word OR, or the term With Rights Of Survivorship , the survivor may transfer ownership of the vehicle by assigning the Certificate of Title to the next buyer and providing a copy of the Death Certificate of the deceased owner to the County Treasurer. To alleviate the concerns of identity theft, the survivor may opt to have a title issued in his/her name only prior to the transfer of ownership. To accomplish this, the properly assigned Certificate of Title and the Death Certificate may be provided to the County Treasurer along with the proper fee and a new title will be issued in the survivor’s name only.
Title A Motor Scooter
In Ohio, a motor scooter must be compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and considered roadworthy before it is titled.
Motor scooters should be equipped with a motor with a piston displacement between 50 and 100 cubic centimeters piston displacement that produces not more than 5 brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on a level surface.
Please Note:
What Do I Need to Bring to the Title Office?
- Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle
- Manufacturers Certificate of Origin stating the vehicle is compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards
Payment for title fees, including a lienholder notation , and sales tax on the purchase price are required at the time of titling.
Repossessed Vehicle
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Other Steps For The Seller When Vehicle Ownership Is Transferred
- Disclose odometer mileage reading on the title or on a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment form* , unless the vehicle is:
- 10 years old or older.
- Commercial with a GVW or CGW of more than 16,000 pounds.
- New and being transferred prior to its first retail sale by a dealer.
Once the seller gives the buyer all required documentation and DMV receives the completed NRL, the sellers part of the transaction is complete.
*If the vehicle has been sold more than once with the same title, a REG 262 is required from each seller.
Military Personnel Stationed Out Of State Titling And Registration Requirements
To obtain a Missouri title and registration on a motor vehicle, you must submit the following:
You will pay:
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Making The Actual Title Transfer
Transferring a car title to another owner is a relatively standard process across the country but exact laws vary by state, so be sure to confirm the process with your local DMV. First, request that the seller assign the current title to you with a notarized signature. Youll need to submit this along with a completed title application and an odometer disclosure agreement. You may also be charged a fee. Then, use the following details to help you correctly maneuver the title transfer process.
When buying from a dealership, the dealership will locate the title for you. If you are paying for the car yourself, the dealer will provide you with the title and coordinate the rest of the paperwork, like the odometer disclosure. If you are financing the vehicle, theyll send the title to the lender.
When buying from a private seller, expect a slightly more complex process. If the seller has paid off the vehicle and has full ownership, the steps are simple. You just need the owner to sign the sellers section of the title and give you a bill of sale, then submit the necessary paperwork to the DMV. If youre financing the vehicle, see Buying a car with a lien below.
When you’re the seller
- Provide a copy of the title to confirm lien and ownership status
- Assign the title to the buyer, providing a notarized signature if necessary
- Give your contact information to the buyer, and quickly respond to their inquiries
New Resident Titling & Registration Requirements
New Resident Titling Checklist
Registration Checklist
You have 30 days from the date of becoming a Missouri resident to title your vehicle.
If your lienholder is currently in possession of your out-of-state title, please complete the owner and vehicle/unit information sections of the Owner Out-of-State Title Request. Mail, email, or fax the completed form to your lienholder to request the original out-of-state title. If the lienholder is unable to release the out-of-state title to you, the lienholder may complete and notarize the bottom section of the form and return the completed form along with acceptable proof of ownership documents to you. Once you have received the out-of-state title or acceptable proof of ownership documents, you may apply for Missouri title and registration.
To obtain a Missouri title and registration on a motor vehicle currently titled in another state, you must submit the following:
You will pay:
- Registration and processing fees, based on either taxable horsepower or vehicle weight.
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