What you need to do a Minnesota vehicle title transfer

Minnesota requires you to transfer the title into your name within 10 days of buying a vehicle. The process involves filling out a form, paying a fee, and submitting documents to your county's deputy registrar office — not to a state office. You cannot do this online; you must go in person or mail the documents.

The state does not issue new title documents the way some states do. Instead, Minnesota keeps one title record per vehicle in its system, and the deputy registrar updates the owner information when you transfer it. You will receive a receipt showing the transfer is complete, but you will not receive a physical title certificate to hold.

If you are buying from a private seller, the seller must sign the title in the designated owner signature area before you submit anything. If you are buying from a dealership, the dealership usually handles the paperwork and submits it on your behalf, though you should confirm this before leaving the lot.

Key Takeaways

  • You must transfer the title within 10 days of purchase at your county's deputy registrar office, not online or by phone.
  • Minnesota does not issue physical title certificates; the state maintains one digital record per vehicle that gets updated with your name.
  • For private sales, the seller must sign the title before you submit it; for dealership purchases, confirm the dealer will file the paperwork.
  • You will need the signed title, proof of insurance, a bill of sale, and payment for the transfer fee, which varies by county.
  • If you miss the 10-day window, you can still transfer the title, but you may face a late fee or be unable to register the vehicle.

Documents you need to bring or mail

The signed title is the foundation of any transfer. This is the document the seller received when they bought the vehicle. It has blank signature lines for the current owner to sign over to the new owner. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller must get a duplicate from their county deputy registrar before the sale can close.

You also need proof of insurance. Minnesota law requires you to have liability insurance before you can register a vehicle, and the deputy registrar will ask to see your insurance card or a letter from your insurance company showing your policy is active. The policy must cover the vehicle you are transferring.

A bill of sale is not required by Minnesota law, but it is wise to have one anyway. This is a straightforward document signed by both buyer and seller stating the sale price, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and the date of sale. If a dispute arises later about the transaction, the bill of sale protects both of you. You can write one yourself or use a template.

Bring or include payment for the transfer fee. This fee varies by county and typically ranges from $10 to $20, though some counties charge more. Contact your county's deputy registrar office to confirm the exact amount before you go.

Finding your county's deputy registrar office

Minnesota does not have a single state title office. Instead, each county runs its own deputy registrar office, which handles title transfers, vehicle registration, and license plate services. You must go to the office in the county where you live, not the county where you bought the vehicle.

The Minnesota Secretary of State website lists all deputy registrar offices by county with their addresses and phone numbers. Call ahead to confirm their hours and whether they require an appointment. Some offices accept walk-ins; others operate by appointment only, especially after the pandemic changed how many offices work.

If you cannot visit in person, you can mail your documents to the deputy registrar office. Include the signed title, proof of insurance, the bill of sale, a check or money order for the fee, and a note with your name and phone number. Mail it to the address listed on the Secretary of State website. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks.

What happens if you buy from a dealership

Most Minnesota dealerships file the title transfer paperwork on your behalf as part of the sale. Before you sign any paperwork at the dealership, ask the sales staff explicitly whether they will submit the transfer to the deputy registrar or whether you are responsible for doing it yourself. Get the answer in writing if possible.

If the dealership is handling it, they will collect the signed title from the previous owner, your proof of insurance, and payment for the fee. They submit everything to your county's deputy registrar office. You should receive a receipt or confirmation from the dealership showing that the paperwork was filed. Keep this receipt until you receive confirmation from the deputy registrar that the transfer is complete.

If the dealership tells you that you must handle the transfer yourself, you will receive the signed title and other documents from them, and you will follow the same process as a private sale. This is less common but does happen, particularly at smaller dealerships or when you are buying a vehicle that was traded in.

What to do if you miss the 10-day important date

Minnesota gives you 10 days from the date of purchase to transfer the title. If you miss this important date, you can still transfer the title, but there may be consequences. Some counties charge a late fee, typically $10 to $25, though this varies. More importantly, you cannot register the vehicle or get license plates until the title is transferred, so driving it legally becomes impossible.

If you are past the important date, contact your county's deputy registrar office and ask what late fees explore. Bring or mail the same documents you would have submitted on time: the signed title, proof of insurance, the bill of sale, and payment for both the transfer fee and any late fee. The office will process it as a late transfer.

If you have already been driving the vehicle without a valid registration because the title transfer was delayed, you are at risk of a traffic citation. Once the transfer is complete and you have registered the vehicle, the citation risk ends, but the citation itself would not be erased. It is better to transfer the title as soon as you realize you have missed the important date.

Transferring a title when there are multiple owners

If the vehicle title lists two owners — for example, both spouses — both owners must sign the title in the owner signature area for the transfer to be valid. If only one owner signs, the transfer will be rejected, and you will have to resubmit it with both signatures.

If the owners are no longer together or one owner cannot be located, you have a problem. Minnesota does not have a straightforward process for removing one owner's name without their signature. You would need to contact a lawyer or the county deputy registrar to discuss your options, which may include a court order. This situation is rare but does happen when someone buys a vehicle with a co-owner and the relationship changes.

If you are buying a vehicle that is titled to an estate or a deceased person, the process is different and more complex. You will need to work with the estate's executor or administrator and may need court documents. Contact your county's deputy registrar office for guidance on this specific situation.

Registration and license plates after the title transfer

Transferring the title and registering the vehicle are two separate steps in Minnesota. The title transfer updates who owns the vehicle in the state's system. Registration is what allows you to legally drive it and requires license plates.

Once the title transfer is complete, you can register the vehicle at the same deputy registrar office or online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website. You will need proof of insurance, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and payment for the registration fee. The registration fee depends on the vehicle's age and weight and is separate from the title transfer fee.

You can register the vehicle before the title transfer is complete if you are in a hurry, but you cannot legally drive it until both are done. Most people do both at the same time to avoid confusion.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I transfer a title if the seller is out of state?

Yes. The seller does not need to be present. They can sign the title and mail it to you, or you can arrange to pick it up. Once you have the signed title, you follow the normal process with your county's deputy registrar. The seller's location does not change the procedure.

What if the title has a lien on it?

A lien means a bank or lender has a claim on the vehicle because the seller still owes money on a loan. The lienholder must sign off on the title transfer before it can be completed. Usually the seller's lender handles this when the loan is paid off at the time of sale. If the lien is not released, contact the lender directly and ask them to remove it from the title.

Do I need to transfer the title if I am just borrowing the vehicle?

No. A title transfer is only for when ownership changes. If you are borrowing a vehicle temporarily, the title stays in the owner's name. If you plan to keep the vehicle long-term, ownership should transfer to you.

What if I lose the signed title before I can submit it?

Contact the seller when ready and ask them to get a duplicate title from their county's deputy registrar office. The seller can request a duplicate using their vehicle identification number and proof of ownership. Once they receive it, they can sign it over to you. This adds time to the process, so act quickly.

Can I register the vehicle before the title transfer is complete?

You can start the registration process, but you cannot legally drive the vehicle until the title transfer is finished. Most people complete both at the same time to avoid this gap. If you need to drive it when ready, confirm with the deputy registrar that registration can happen while the title transfer is pending.