What You Need to Do to Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota

To transfer a car title in Minnesota, you file Form REG 13 (process for Minnesota Certificate of Title) with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Division of Driver and Vehicle Services. You submit the form in person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, by mail, or through an authorized deputy registrar (usually a local car dealer or title service). The process takes about two weeks by mail, same-day or next-day if you go in person. You will need the current title, a bill of sale, proof of identity, and proof of Minnesota residency.

The person transferring the title out (the seller) and the person receiving it (the buyer) both need to sign the title document itself. If you are buying a car, the seller signs the back of their title and gives it to you. If you are selling, you sign and hand it over. Minnesota does not require a notary for most title transfers, though some transactions do — the form instructions will tell you which ones.

Key Takeaways

  • You must file Form REG 13 at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, by mail, or through a deputy registrar within 10 days of buying the vehicle.
  • Both the seller and buyer must sign the back of the current title before you submit it; Minnesota does not require a notary for most transfers.
  • Bring or mail the signed title, a bill of sale, your driver's license or state ID, and proof you live in Minnesota (utility bill, lease, or bank statement).
  • Processing takes about two weeks by mail or same-day at an office; deputy registrars often process faster but may charge a small fee.
  • If the title is lost, damaged, or held by a lender, you will need to request a duplicate or lien release before you can transfer ownership.

Where to Submit Your Title Transfer

You have three options for where to file your transfer: a Driver and Vehicle Services office run by the state, the U.S. mail, or a deputy registrar in your area. A Driver and Vehicle Services office is the state's official location — there are about 20 across Minnesota. You walk in with your documents, pay the fee, and usually leave with a receipt the same day. Processing still takes about two weeks after that, but you know it arrived.

Mailing your documents to the address on Form REG 13 takes longer overall (about three weeks total) but costs nothing extra and works if you cannot get to an office. The envelope gets lost occasionally, so some people use certified mail. A deputy registrar is a private business — often a car dealership, title service, or insurance agent — licensed by the state to handle title work. They charge a fee (usually $10 to $25 on top of the state fee) but often process faster and have longer hours than state offices. Search "Minnesota deputy registrar" plus your city to find one near you.

Documents You Must Bring or Mail

Gather these four things before you go to file: the current title with both signatures on the back, a bill of sale, your ID, and proof of Minnesota residency. The current title is the document the seller received when they bought the car — it shows their name and the vehicle identification number (VIN). Both you and the seller must sign the back in the spaces marked for transfer. If the seller is not present, they can sign ahead of time and mail it to you, or you can ask the deputy registrar or office staff whether a power of attorney is allowed in your situation.

A bill of sale is a straightforward written record of the sale — it does not have to be fancy. It should show the seller's name and address, your name and address, the vehicle's VIN, the year and make, the sale price, and the date. You can write it by hand on a piece of paper, use a template from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website, or use one the seller provides. Both of you should sign it. Bring your driver's license or state ID to prove who you are. For proof of residency, bring a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days that shows your name and Minnesota address.

If the car has a lien on it (meaning a bank or credit union still owns it until the loan is paid off), the lender must sign the title or provide a lien release letter saying you now own it free and clear. Ask the seller or lender for this before you go to file. If the title is lost or damaged, you will need to request a duplicate from the state first — that takes an extra week or two.

Fees and Processing Time

The state fee for a title transfer in Minnesota is $13.50 as of this writing, though fees can change. If you use a deputy registrar, add their service fee on top (typically $10 to $25). If you mail your documents, there is no extra charge beyond the state fee, but you pay for postage. Some offices accept credit cards or debit cards; others take cash or check only, so call ahead if you have a preference.

Processing time depends on how you file. At a Driver and Vehicle Services office or deputy registrar, you get a receipt the same day, but the state still needs about two weeks to process and mail your new title to you. By mail, the whole process takes about three weeks. If there is an error on your documents or the state needs more information, they will contact you — this can add another week or two. Once the state mails your new title, it usually arrives within five business days.

What Happens If the Seller Does Not Sign

If the seller refuses to sign the title or cannot be reached, you cannot legally transfer ownership in Minnesota. The title must have both signatures. If you bought the car and the seller is now unavailable, contact the deputy registrar or Driver and Vehicle Services office to ask about your options — some situations allow a power of attorney or a court order, but these are rare and require legal help.

If you are buying from a dealer, they handle the title work for you as part of the sale, so this is not usually a problem. If you are buying from a private person, make sure they sign the back of the title before you hand over money. Do not accept a promise to sign later — get it done at the time of sale.

Transferring a Title When There Is a Lien

A lien means a bank, credit union, or other lender has a legal claim on the car until the loan is paid off. The lender's name appears on the title. If you are buying a car with a lien still on it, the seller must get a lien release from their lender before the title can transfer to you. This is a letter or document saying the loan is paid off and the lender gives up its claim.

The seller should contact their lender and ask for a lien release. Some lenders mail it directly to the seller; others send it to the title office. Ask the seller to find out where it goes and make sure they get it before you meet to sign the title. If the lien release goes to the title office, the seller may need to provide the reference number or lender contact information when you file. Do not sign the title until the lien release is in hand — if you do, the transfer will be rejected.

If the Title Is Lost or Damaged

If the seller no longer has the title — it is lost, damaged, or never arrived — you cannot transfer it as usual. The seller must first request a duplicate title from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. They fill out Form REG 14 (process for Duplicate Certificate of Title), pay a $13.50 fee, and mail it or bring it to a Driver and Vehicle Services office. This takes about two weeks. Once they receive the duplicate, they can sign it and give it to you to file your transfer.

If you are the buyer and the seller is dragging their feet getting a duplicate, you can request one yourself using Form REG 14, but you will need the seller's signature on the form. Some title services or deputy registrars can help speed this up, though they will charge a fee. Do not take possession of the car or pay the full purchase price until you have the title in hand or a clear plan to get it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do I have to transfer the title after I buy a car?

Minnesota law requires you to file for a title transfer within 10 days of purchase. If you miss this important date, you may face a late fee or have trouble registering the vehicle. If you are past 10 days, file as soon as you can — the state will still process it, though you may need to explain the delay.

Can I transfer a title if I still owe money on the car?

No, not until the loan is paid off and the lender releases their claim. The lender must provide a lien release letter. Once you have that, you can transfer the title. If you are buying a car with an active loan, the seller's lender typically handles this and sends the release to the title office automatically.

Do I need to get the title notarized in Minnesota?

Most title transfers in Minnesota do not require a notary. However, if the seller is signing a power of attorney or if the title has multiple owners, a notary may be required. Check the instructions on Form REG 13 or call a Driver and Vehicle Services office to confirm for your situation.

What if I bought the car out of state and now live in Minnesota?

You still need to file Form REG 13 with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Bring the out-of-state title, a bill of sale, your ID, and proof of Minnesota residency. The state will issue you a Minnesota title. Some out-of-state titles have different signature requirements, so call ahead to ask if yours needs anything extra.

Can someone else file the title transfer for me?

Yes, if you give them a signed power of attorney or written permission. They will need to bring that document along with all the other required paperwork. A deputy registrar can handle this for you if you cannot go in person, though they will charge a service fee.