What You Need to Do to Transfer a Title in New Jersey

To transfer a car title in New Jersey, you file a form with the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) and pay a fee. The process differs slightly depending on whether you're buying a used car, inheriting one, or transferring ownership between family members. Most transfers require the current title, proof of ownership, and identification. The MVC processes title transfers by mail or in person at a regional office, and you'll receive your new title in the mail within two to four weeks.

New Jersey does not issue temporary titles or temporary registration during the transfer process, so you cannot legally drive the vehicle until your new registration arrives. This is different from many other states. If you need to move the car before your registration is ready, you must request a temporary permit from the MVC office where you file your transfer.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit the current title, a completed process form, proof of ownership, and a check or money order to the MVC to transfer a title in New Jersey.
  • The transfer fee in New Jersey is $60 for most title transfers, plus an additional $5 for electronic filing if you submit by mail.
  • You cannot legally drive the vehicle until your new registration arrives, which typically takes two to four weeks after the MVC receives your paperwork.
  • If you need to move the car before your new registration is ready, you can request a temporary permit at the MVC office, but this requires an in-person visit.
  • Transfers involving inheritance, gifts, or family members follow the same basic process but may require additional documents like a death certificate or a gift affidavit.

Documents You Need Before You Start

Gather these documents before you go to the MVC or prepare your mail-in packet. You will need the current title signed by the seller. If the title is lost or damaged, the seller must request a duplicate from the MVC first. You also need a completed process for Title (Form BA-49), which you can read from the MVC website or pick up at any MVC office.

Bring or include proof of ownership, which is usually the bill of sale or purchase agreement. If you inherited the vehicle, bring a death certificate and the will or court order showing you inherited it. If someone gave you the car as a gift, bring a signed gift affidavit (Form BA-49A). You will also need a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card.

If you are transferring the title but the seller is not present, you will need a power of attorney signed by the seller. This document must be notarized. Without it, the MVC will not process the transfer.

How to File Your Transfer by Mail

Mail-in filing is the most common route and requires no office visit. Prepare a packet with the signed title, the completed BA-49 form, your proof of ownership, a copy of your ID, and a check or money order for $65 (the $60 transfer fee plus $5 for electronic filing). Do not send cash. Address the packet to the MVC regional office that serves your county — you can find the correct address on the MVC website under "Mail-In Services."

Mail your packet using a service that provides tracking, such as certified mail or a private carrier. The MVC receives thousands of mail-in transfers weekly, and tracking protects you if your packet is lost. Keep a copy of everything you send. The MVC will mail your new title and registration to the address you listed on the BA-49 form.

Processing time is typically two to four weeks from the date the MVC receives your packet. You can check the status of your transfer on the MVC website using your driver's license number and date of birth, though the status may not update when ready after mailing.

How to File Your Transfer in Person at an MVC Office

If you prefer to file in person, visit any MVC regional office during business hours. Bring the signed title, completed BA-49 form, proof of ownership, your photo ID, and a check or money order for $60. You do not pay the additional $5 electronic filing fee when you file in person. The office will review your documents on the spot and tell you if anything is missing.

MVC offices are typically open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and some locations have limited Saturday hours. You do not need an appointment for a title transfer, but wait times vary by location and time of day. Arriving early in the morning or mid-week usually means shorter lines. Check the MVC website for your nearest office and current wait times.

If you need a temporary permit to move the car before your new registration arrives, request one at the office when you file. The office will issue it on the spot, and it is valid for a limited time — usually 10 days. You must display it on your dashboard while driving.

What Happens After You File

Once the MVC receives your transfer, they will verify the title and ownership documents. If everything is correct, they will process the transfer and mail your new title and registration to the address on your process. This typically takes two to four weeks. You will not receive a confirmation letter or email — the first notice you receive will be your new title and registration in the mail.

If the MVC finds a problem with your documents, they will mail you a notice explaining what is missing or incorrect. You will have a set time to respond and resubmit. This delays your transfer by at least another two to four weeks. Common issues include a missing signature on the title, a mismatch between the vehicle identification number (VIN) on the title and the VIN on the bill of sale, or a missing notarization on a power of attorney.

Do not drive the vehicle legally until you receive your new registration. If you are stopped by police before your registration arrives, you can show the officer your mail receipt or tracking number proving you filed the transfer, but this does not may provide you will avoid a ticket. A temporary permit is your only legal protection while waiting.

Special Situations: Inheritance, Gifts, and Family Transfers

If you inherited a vehicle, the process is the same except you submit a death certificate and the will or court order showing you inherited it instead of a bill of sale. The title must still be signed by the estate or the executor of the estate. If the estate has not yet been settled, you may need to wait for the court to issue an order naming you as the owner before you can transfer the title.

If someone gave you the car as a gift, you still need a signed title from the giver. You also need a completed gift affidavit (Form BA-49A), which you and the giver both sign and have notarized. This document tells the MVC that no money changed hands. Without it, the MVC may assume a sale occurred and assess sales tax.

If you are transferring a title between spouses or from a parent to a child, the process is identical — you still need the signed title, the BA-49 form, and proof of the relationship (such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate). There is no separate family transfer process in New Jersey.

Fees and Payment Methods

The title transfer fee in New Jersey is $60. If you file by mail, add $5 for electronic filing, bringing the total to $65. If you file in person, you pay only $60. Payment must be by check or money order made out to "New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission." The MVC does not accept credit cards, debit cards, or cash by mail.

If you file in person at an MVC office, some locations accept cash, but policy varies by office. Call ahead or check the MVC website to confirm payment methods at your specific location. If you overpay or send the wrong amount, the MVC will return your packet and you will need to resubmit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the car while my title transfer is being processed?

No. New Jersey does not issue temporary registration during a title transfer. You cannot legally drive the vehicle until your new registration arrives. If you need to move the car, request a temporary permit at an MVC office when you file your transfer. The permit is valid for a limited time, usually 10 days.

What if the seller's signature is missing from the title?

The MVC will reject your transfer and mail you a notice. You must contact the seller, have them sign the title, and resubmit your entire packet. This adds at least two to four weeks to your transfer time. If the seller is unavailable or unwilling to sign, you cannot complete the transfer.

How long does a title transfer take in New Jersey?

Processing time is typically two to four weeks from the date the MVC receives your packet. If the MVC finds errors in your documents, they will mail you a notice and you will need to resubmit, which adds another two to four weeks. There is no way to expedite a title transfer in New Jersey.

Do I have to pay sales tax when I transfer a title?

Sales tax is not part of the title transfer fee. However, if you purchased the vehicle, you may owe sales tax to New Jersey at the time of purchase. This is separate from the title transfer process. If you received the car as a gift, you do not owe sales tax, but you must submit a gift affidavit to prove it.

What if I lost the original title?

The current owner must request a duplicate title from the MVC before you can transfer it. They can do this by mail or in person using Form BA-49. Once they receive the duplicate, they sign it and send it to you, and you proceed with the normal transfer process.