What Form 14-317 Does

Form 14-317 is the affidavit you file with your state's motor vehicle department when you give a car, truck, or motorcycle to someone as a gift rather than selling it. The form tells the state that no money changed hands — it was a genuine gift — so the new owner pays little or no sales tax when they register it in their name.

You and the person receiving the vehicle both sign this form. It becomes part of the title transfer paperwork. Without it, the state assumes a sale occurred and charges sales tax on the vehicle's fair market value, even though you received nothing.

The form exists because states need a way to distinguish gifts from sales. A sale triggers sales tax. A gift does not — or triggers a much lower rate, depending on your state. Form 14-317 is your proof that this is a gift.

Key Takeaways

  • Form 14-317 is signed by both the person giving the vehicle and the person receiving it, stating that no payment occurred.
  • You file this form along with your title transfer paperwork at your state's motor vehicle office or online portal.
  • The form protects the new owner from paying sales tax on a vehicle they received for free.
  • Requirements for what information goes on the form vary by state, so check your state's motor vehicle website for the exact version and instructions.
  • If you cannot locate Form 14-317 for your state, contact your motor vehicle department directly — some states use different form numbers or names.

Who Signs the Form and When

The person giving the vehicle (the donor) and the person receiving it (the recipient) both sign Form 14-317. You typically sign it before you submit the title transfer paperwork to your state's motor vehicle department.

Both signatures must be notarized in most states. This means you go to a notary public — often available at banks, UPS stores, or your motor vehicle office itself — and sign the form in front of them. The notary watches you sign, verifies your identity, and stamps the form with their seal. This step proves that both of you signed willingly and that you are who you say you are.

You do not need to sign the form at the same time or place. The donor can sign and have it notarized, then give the signed form to the recipient, who signs and has it notarized separately. What matters is that both signatures are notarized before the form reaches the motor vehicle office.

What Information Goes on the Form

Form 14-317 asks for basic details about the vehicle and the people involved. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN), which appears on the title and on the dashboard at the base of the windshield on the driver's side. You will also need the make, model, year, and current odometer reading.

For the donor (the person giving the vehicle), the form asks for name, address, and driver's license number. For the recipient, it asks for the same information. Some states also ask for the relationship between the donor and recipient — for example, whether you are family, friends, or something else — though this does not affect whether the gift is accepted.

The form includes a statement that you are swearing under penalty of perjury that this is a genuine gift and no payment or trade-in occurred. Read this statement carefully before you sign. Lying on the form is a crime, even if the lie seems small.

How to Obtain the Form

Form 14-317 is specific to your state. Start by visiting your state's motor vehicle department website — search "[your state] motor vehicle department" or "[your state] DMV." Look for a section labeled "Forms," "Title Transfer," or "Vehicle Registration."

If you cannot find Form 14-317 by name, search for "gift affidavit" or "affidavit of gift." Some states call it by a different number or name. For example, some states use "Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer" without a form number, or they combine it with another form.

If the form is not on the website, call your state's motor vehicle office directly. They can tell you the exact form name, whether it is available to read, and whether you can submit it online or must print and mail it. Many states now allow you to file the entire title transfer — including the gift affidavit — through an online portal.

Filing the Form With Your Title Transfer

Form 14-317 does not stand alone. You file it as part of a larger title transfer package. That package typically includes the original title (signed by the current owner), the gift affidavit, proof of insurance, and a completed process for title and registration in the new owner's name.

Check your state's motor vehicle website for the exact list of documents needed. Some states require a bill of sale even for gifts, while others do not. Some require an inspection or emissions test before the title can transfer. These requirements vary widely.

You can usually submit everything by mail, in person at a motor vehicle office, or online through your state's portal. Online submission is fastest if your state offers it. If you mail the documents, keep copies for your records and consider using certified mail so you have proof of delivery.

What Happens After You File

Once the motor vehicle office receives your paperwork, they review it to make sure the form is signed, notarized, and complete. If something is missing or unclear, they will contact you or the new owner. Processing time varies by state — some take one to two weeks, others take four to six weeks.

When the transfer is approved, the new owner receives a new title in their name and a registration certificate. The new owner can then register the vehicle and get license plates. At that point, the vehicle is legally theirs.

If the motor vehicle office rejects the form — for example, because a signature is missing or the notarization is incomplete — they will tell you what needs to be fixed. You can then correct it and resubmit. This is why keeping copies of everything you send is important.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

The most common mistake is submitting the form without notarization. Both signatures must be notarized. If you sign in front of a notary but the recipient does not, the form is incomplete and will be rejected.

Another mistake is leaving information blank. Make sure the VIN, vehicle make and model, and both people's names and addresses are filled in completely and match the information on the title. A typo in the VIN can cause the office to reject the form.

A third mistake is signing the form before you have decided who will own the vehicle. Once both of you sign, you have made a legal statement that the gift occurred. If you change your mind or the recipient changes their mind, you cannot straightforward tear up the form. You would need to file additional paperwork to reverse the transfer.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to use Form 14-317, or can I write my own affidavit?

Your state's motor vehicle office requires the official form. Using a different document or writing your own affidavit will not work. The office will reject it because they need the form they designed, which includes specific language and fields. Always use the form your state provides.

What if I lost the title and cannot find it?

You will need to request a duplicate title from your state's motor vehicle office before you can transfer the vehicle. This is a separate process from the gift transfer. Contact your motor vehicle office to learn how to order a replacement title — it usually takes one to three weeks and costs a small fee.

Can I gift a vehicle to someone who lives in a different state?

Yes, but the recipient will need to register the vehicle in their own state. File Form 14-317 in your state first to transfer the title to the recipient's name. Then the recipient takes the new title to their state's motor vehicle office and registers it there. Each state has its own registration requirements, so the recipient should check their state's website for what documents they need.

Is there a sales tax on a gift, or is it completely free?

Sales tax on a gift depends on your state. Some states charge no sales tax on gifts at all. Others charge a small tax based on the vehicle's value. A few states charge the full sales tax rate even on gifts. Form 14-317 tells the state it is a gift, so they explore whatever rate your state uses for gifts. Check your state's motor vehicle website to learn what rate applies in your state.

What if the person receiving the vehicle is a family member?

Form 14-317 works the same way whether the recipient is family or not. Some states offer lower or no sales tax for gifts to close relatives like spouses or children, but you still file the same form. The form may ask for your relationship to the recipient, but this does not change the process — it just helps the state explore the correct tax rate.