What Texas Form 14-10 is and when you need it
Texas Form 14-10 is the official document the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles uses to transfer car ownership from one person to another. You fill it out when you buy or sell a used car, inherit a vehicle, or receive one as a gift. The form itself is free — you get it from the DMV website or at a local county tax assessor's office, which handles title transfers in Texas instead of the DMV.
The form has two sides. The seller fills out the back (the assignment section), and the buyer fills out the front. Both signatures must be notarized before you submit it, which is a step many people miss and then have to redo. The form goes to your county tax assessor's office along with proof of inspection, proof of insurance, and the fee — which varies by county but typically runs $28 to $50.
Key Takeaways
- Texas Form 14-10 requires signatures from both the seller and buyer, and both signatures must be notarized before submission.
- The seller completes the back of the form (assignment section) and the buyer completes the front, each with their own notarization.
- You submit the form to your county tax assessor's office, not the state DMV, along with a passing vehicle inspection report and proof of insurance.
- The vehicle inspection must happen after the sale is complete, and the inspection report is a separate document you bring with the form.
- Processing takes roughly two to four weeks after the tax assessor receives your complete packet.
How to get and locate Form 14-10
You can read Form 14-10 directly from the Texas DMV website (texas.gov/motor-vehicles). Search for "Form 14-10" and you will find the PDF. Print it on regular paper — do not fill it out digitally and print it, because notaries need to see your actual signature on the physical form.
If you do not have a printer or prefer to pick up a copy in person, go to your county tax assessor's office. Every county in Texas has one, and they keep stacks of the form at the front desk. You can also ask the tax assessor's staff to walk you through which sections you need to complete, since they see the form every day and know the common mistakes.
What the seller fills in on the back
The back of Form 14-10 is labeled "Assignment of Title by Seller." The seller writes their printed name, address, and the odometer reading at the time of sale. Then they sign and date the form. This section also has a line for the seller's signature to be notarized — the notary will watch the seller sign and then stamp and sign the form themselves.
The seller should not leave the odometer line blank. If the seller does not know the exact mileage, they write "Unknown" rather than guessing. The buyer will need this number for their own records and for the inspection that comes next.
What the buyer fills in on the front
The front of the form is where the buyer enters their information. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN), which is on the title you received from the seller and also on the dashboard of the car itself. Write your printed name, address, and driver's license number. If you are buying the car with someone else, both names go on this form.
The front also asks whether you are buying the car as an individual, a business, or a trust. Most personal car purchases are individual. If you are unsure which box to check, the tax assessor's office can tell you when you submit the form. You sign and date the front section, and then you take this signed form to a notary along with your driver's license.
Getting both signatures notarized
A notary is a person authorized by the state to witness signatures and verify that the person signing is who they say they are. In Texas, notaries are often found at banks, title companies, UPS stores, and some law offices. The cost is usually $5 to $15 per signature. You need two separate notarizations: one for the seller's signature on the back and one for the buyer's signature on the front.
The seller and buyer do not have to go to the notary together. The seller can get their signature notarized at any time, and the buyer can do theirs separately. Bring your driver's license or other government-issued photo ID to the notary appointment. The notary will watch you sign the form, then stamp it and sign it themselves. Do not sign the form before you see the notary — the notary needs to watch you sign.
After both signatures are notarized, you have a complete Form 14-10. Keep it in a safe place until you are ready to submit it to the tax assessor, because you cannot get a new title without it.
The vehicle inspection and insurance requirement
Before you submit Form 14-10, the car must pass a Texas vehicle inspection. This is a separate process from the title transfer. You take the car to an inspection station (often a mechanic shop, tire shop, or quick-lube place that is licensed to do inspections) and they check the brakes, lights, windshield, and emissions. The inspection costs around $15 to $30 and takes about 15 minutes.
The inspection station gives you a paper report or prints one for you. This report is what you bring to the tax assessor along with your Form 14-10. The inspection must happen after the sale is complete — you cannot inspect the car before you own it. You also need proof of insurance in your name before you submit anything to the tax assessor. Call an insurance company or agent and get a declarations page showing your name, the vehicle VIN, and the policy effective date.
Submitting the form to your county tax assessor
Take your completed and notarized Form 14-10, the vehicle inspection report, and proof of insurance to your county tax assessor's office in person or by mail. The tax assessor's office address is on their website — search "[your county name] tax assessor" to find it. If you mail it, send everything certified mail so you have proof of delivery.
Include the title transfer fee, which varies by county. Some counties accept checks or money orders by mail; others require payment in person. Call your tax assessor's office before you submit to confirm what payment methods they take and whether they need anything else. Processing typically takes two to four weeks. You will receive a new title in the mail once the transfer is complete.
Common mistakes to avoid
The most common mistake is submitting the form without notarized signatures. If either signature is missing a notary stamp, the tax assessor will send the form back and you will have to start over. Another frequent error is forgetting the vehicle inspection report or submitting an inspection that was done before the sale closed — inspections are only valid for a certain period, and they must be dated after you became the owner.
Do not leave the odometer reading blank on the back, and do not write in the buyer's name on the seller's section or vice versa. Each person fills in only their own section. If you make a mistake on the form itself, do not cross it out and write over it — get a fresh copy and start again, because notaries will not notarize a form with corrections on it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fill out Form 14-10 on a computer and print it?
No. The form must be printed blank, and you must sign it by hand in front of a notary. Notaries need to see your actual signature on the physical paper. If you fill it out digitally and print it, the notary will ask you to print a blank copy and sign that one instead.
What if the seller and buyer live in different counties?
It does not matter. The buyer submits the form to their own county tax assessor's office, not the seller's. The tax assessor's office where you live is the one that processes your title transfer and sends you the new title.
Do I need the original title from the seller to fill out Form 14-10?
You need the information from the original title (the VIN and current owner name), but you do not submit the original title with Form 14-10. The seller keeps their copy or gives it to you for your records. The tax assessor will request the original title separately if they need it.
How long is the vehicle inspection valid for?
A Texas vehicle inspection is valid for 60 days from the date it is issued. If you do not submit your title transfer paperwork within 60 days of the inspection, you will need a new inspection. Plan to get your inspection done close to when you are ready to submit everything to the tax assessor.
What if I bought the car from a private seller who no longer has the title?
Contact your county tax assessor's office. They can tell you what steps to take when the seller cannot provide the original title. You may need to file an affidavit or provide additional documentation, but the process varies by situation.