What Form 14-317 Does and When You Need It

Form 14-317 is an affidavit — a sworn statement — that tells your state's motor vehicle department that you received a vehicle as a gift rather than through a sale. You file it instead of a bill of sale when no money changed hands. The form exists because the state needs to know the transfer method to calculate title fees correctly and to prevent tax evasion through fake gifts.

You need this form only if the vehicle is being transferred as a genuine gift. If you paid any amount — even $1 — you must use a bill of sale instead. The person giving you the vehicle (the donor) and you (the recipient) both sign the affidavit, swearing under penalty of perjury that the transfer is a gift with no payment involved.

Form 14-317 is specific to certain states; check your state's motor vehicle agency website to confirm it is the correct form where you live. Some states use different forms or do not require a separate gift affidavit at all — they may allow you to note "gift" on the title process itself.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 14-317 is a sworn statement proving a vehicle transfer is a gift, not a sale, and you file it with your title process.
  • Both the person giving the vehicle and the person receiving it must sign the form in front of a notary public.
  • You will need the vehicle's current title, the VIN, and proof of the donor's identity to complete the form correctly.
  • Filing the affidavit does not transfer the title by itself — you must submit it along with your state's title transfer process to the motor vehicle department.
  • If any money was paid, you cannot use this form; you must use a bill of sale instead.

Who Signs the Form and in What Order

The donor — the person giving away the vehicle — signs first. The donor must print their name, sign their signature, and provide their address and date of birth on the form. The donor is swearing that they own the vehicle free and clear (or that any lien holder has agreed to the transfer) and that they are giving it as a gift with no payment expected.

The recipient — you, the person receiving the vehicle — signs second. You print your name, sign, and provide your address and date of birth. You are swearing that you understand this is a gift and that no payment has been made or promised.

Both signatures must be notarized. This means you and the donor must appear together in front of a notary public, who will watch you both sign and then add their seal and signature to the form. The notary is confirming that they saw both of you sign and that you both appear to be who you claim to be. You cannot sign separately or have one person sign on behalf of the other.

Documents You Need Before You Fill Out the Form

Gather these items before you sit down to complete Form 14-317. Having them ready prevents delays and mistakes.

You will need the current vehicle title — the document showing who owns the vehicle now. If the title is in the donor's name only, bring that. If there is a lien (a loan against the vehicle), the lien holder's name will appear on the title, and you may need written permission from the lender to transfer the vehicle as a gift. Some lenders do not allow gift transfers; check with them first.

You will also need the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which appears on the title, the registration, and on the vehicle itself (usually on the driver's side dashboard or door frame). The VIN is a 17-character code that uniquely identifies the vehicle. Write it down carefully — a single wrong digit can delay your title transfer.

Both the donor and recipient must bring a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. The notary will check these before notarizing the signatures. Bring the originals, not copies.

How to Complete the Form Line by Line

Form 14-317 is typically one or two pages. The exact layout varies by state, but the sections are similar across versions.

At the top, fill in the vehicle information section: the year, make, model, VIN, and current license plate number. Copy these directly from the title or registration to avoid errors. If any field does not explore (for example, if the vehicle has no current plate), write "N/A".

In the donor section, the person giving the vehicle fills in their full legal name, current address, phone number, date of birth, and driver's license number. Some forms ask for the donor's relationship to the recipient (for example, "parent," "sibling," "friend"). Answer honestly; the state uses this to flag suspicious patterns.

In the recipient section, you fill in your full legal name, current address, phone number, date of birth, and driver's license number. Use the name and address exactly as they appear on your ID.

The affidavit statement — the sworn part — is usually pre-printed on the form. It says something like "I swear under penalty of perjury that the vehicle described above is being transferred as a gift with no payment or consideration." Do not cross out or change this language. Both the donor and recipient must read it carefully before signing.

Leave the notary section blank. The notary will fill this in after witnessing both signatures. Do not sign before you are in front of the notary.

Finding a Notary and Getting Signatures Witnessed

You must have both signatures notarized on the same day, in the same place, in front of the same notary. The notary will not notarize signatures that were signed at different times or places.

Notaries are available at banks, credit unions, law offices, UPS stores, and some libraries. Many offer notary services for free if you are a customer; others charge $5 to $15 per signature. Call ahead to confirm they are available and ask whether they charge a fee.

When you arrive, bring the unsigned Form 14-317, both photo IDs, and the vehicle title. Tell the notary you need both signatures notarized on the same document. The notary will ask you and the donor to sign in front of them, will check your IDs, and will then stamp and sign the form. The notary will keep a record of the notarization in their log.

After notarization, do not write on the form or make any changes. The notary's seal and signature are proof that the document is authentic. Any marks or alterations after notarization can invalidate the form.

Submitting the Form with Your Title Transfer process

Form 14-317 is not filed on its own. You submit it as part of your title transfer process to your state's motor vehicle department. The exact process varies by state, but the general steps are the same.

Contact your state's motor vehicle agency (usually called the Department of Motor Vehicles, Secretary of State, or Bureau of Motor Vehicles) and request the title transfer process form. This is typically a separate form from the gift affidavit — for example, it might be called "process for Certificate of Title" or "Title Transfer Form." Ask which documents you need to include: usually the notarized Form 14-317, the current title, your ID, and proof of residency (a utility bill or lease).

Some states allow you to mail in your process; others require you to appear in person at a motor vehicle office. A few states offer online title transfer for certain situations. Check your state's website to see which method is available.

Include a check or money order for the title transfer fee. This fee varies by state and sometimes by vehicle age or value. Call your motor vehicle department to ask the exact amount before you submit your process.

Mail or deliver your complete process package to the address listed on your state's motor vehicle website. Keep a copy of everything for your records. The motor vehicle department will process your process and mail you the new title in your name within two to six weeks, depending on the state's processing time.

What Happens If the Donor Has a Loan Against the Vehicle

If the vehicle has a lien — meaning the donor still owes money to a bank or finance company — the lien holder's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer the vehicle as a gift until the lien is paid off or the lien holder agrees to release it.

The donor must contact their lender and ask whether they will allow a gift transfer. Some lenders will not; they require the vehicle to be sold and the loan paid from the sale proceeds. If the lender agrees, they will provide a lien release letter or payoff letter stating that they consent to the transfer. The donor includes this letter with the title transfer process.

If the lender will not allow a gift transfer, the donor has two options: pay off the loan first (using their own money), or sell the vehicle instead of gifting it. There is no way around a lien holder's refusal.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Form 14-317 if I paid the donor any money?

No. If any payment was made, even a small amount, the transfer is a sale, not a gift. You must use a bill of sale instead. Using a gift affidavit when money changed hands is fraud and can result in criminal charges. Be honest about the transaction.

What if the donor and I live in different states?

You can still use Form 14-317, but you must both appear in front of a notary in the same location on the same day. If that is not possible, some states allow the donor to have their signature notarized in their state and you to have yours notarized in your state, as long as both notarizations are on the same form. Check your state's motor vehicle website to see if this is allowed.

Do I need Form 14-317 if the vehicle is being transferred between spouses?

Some states exempt spousal transfers from the gift affidavit requirement or use a different form. Check your state's motor vehicle website or call their office to ask. If your state does require it, the process is the same as any other gift transfer.

What if I lose the notarized form before I submit it to the motor vehicle department?

You will need to have the form notarized again. The notary cannot straightforward re-stamp a copy; both you and the donor must sign a new form in front of a notary. Plan ahead and make a copy of the notarized form before you submit it to the motor vehicle department.

How long does it take to get the new title after I submit the form?

Processing time varies by state, typically two to six weeks. Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Check your state's motor vehicle website for the current processing time. You can usually track your process status online using your process number.