Wisconsin charges a flat fee to transfer ownership of a vehicle, plus a few smaller charges depending on your situation
Wisconsin's Department of Transportation charges $78 to transfer a vehicle title. This is the base fee you pay no matter what vehicle you're transferring or who you're transferring it to. If you're transferring a title in person at a DMV office, you'll also pay a $5 service fee, making the total $83. If you mail in your transfer documents, you pay only the $78 title fee.
The fee covers the cost of processing your paperwork, updating the state's ownership records, and issuing a new title certificate in the new owner's name. Wisconsin does not charge separate fees for liens, duplicate titles, or correcting names on existing titles — those are included in the flat $78 fee.
Additional charges may explore if you need services beyond a basic title transfer. A duplicate title costs $7. A corrected title (if there's a spelling error or other mistake) costs $7. If you need certified copies of your title, each copy costs $3. These are separate from the transfer fee and only explore if you actually need them.
Key Takeaways
- Wisconsin charges $78 to transfer a vehicle title by mail, or $83 if you transfer it in person at a DMV office.
- The fee is the same regardless of the vehicle's value, age, or type — motorcycles, cars, and trucks all cost $78.
- You can transfer a title by mail, in person at any Wisconsin DMV office, or through an authorized agent like an auto dealer or title service.
- Bring proof of ownership (the current title), proof of sale (bill of sale or purchase agreement), and proof of identity to complete the transfer.
- Processing typically takes 5 to 10 business days by mail; in-person transfers are usually completed the same day.
How to pay the transfer fee
You pay the title transfer fee when you submit your paperwork to Wisconsin DMV. If you're transferring by mail, include a check or money order made out to "Wisconsin Department of Transportation" with your process packet. Do not send cash through the mail.
If you're transferring in person at a DMV office, you can pay by cash, check, debit card, or credit card. Some offices may have different payment methods available, so call ahead if you have a preference. The office will give you a receipt showing the fee paid and the date your transfer was submitted.
If you use an authorized agent — such as an auto dealer, title service company, or notary — to handle the transfer on your behalf, that agent will collect the fee from you and submit it to DMV along with your documents. Ask the agent upfront whether they charge an additional service fee for handling the paperwork.
When you pay more than the base fee
The $78 base fee covers a standard title transfer. You'll pay extra only if you need additional services beyond transferring ownership. If you're transferring a title and also requesting a duplicate title at the same time, you pay $78 for the transfer plus $7 for the duplicate, totaling $85.
If there's an error on the current title — a misspelled name, wrong address, or other mistake — you can request a corrected title. That costs $7 on top of the transfer fee. If you need certified copies of your new title after the transfer is complete, each certified copy costs $3.
Lienholders (like banks or credit unions that financed the vehicle) do not add to the fee. If the vehicle has a lien, you'll note that on your transfer paperwork, but there's no extra charge for processing a liened vehicle.
Where to transfer your title and how long it takes
You have three ways to transfer a Wisconsin title: by mail, in person at a DMV office, or through an authorized agent. By mail is the slowest but requires no travel. You send your completed process (Form MV2001), the current title, a bill of sale, and your payment to the Wisconsin DMV address listed on the form. Processing takes 5 to 10 business days after DMV receives your packet.
In-person transfers at any Wisconsin DMV office are usually the fastest. Bring the current title, proof of sale, proof of identity, and your payment. The office will process your paperwork on the spot, and you'll receive your new title the same day or within a few days. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need an appointment.
An authorized agent — a car dealer, title service company, or notary — can submit your transfer paperwork to DMV on your behalf. This is useful if you're buying or selling through a dealer, since they often handle the paperwork as part of the sale. The agent collects your documents and fee, submits them to DMV, and typically receives your new title within 5 to 10 business days. The agent then gives you the title or holds it if there's a lien.
What documents you need to transfer a title
To transfer a Wisconsin title, you need the current title certificate, proof that the sale or transfer happened, and proof of your identity. The current title must be signed by the current owner (the person whose name is on it now). If there are two owners listed, both must sign unless one has already signed off.
Proof of sale is usually a bill of sale — a straightforward document showing the seller's name, buyer's name, vehicle details, sale price, and date. You can write this yourself or use a template; Wisconsin does not require a specific form. If you're inheriting the vehicle, you'll need the death certificate and a letter from the estate or probate court instead of a bill of sale.
Proof of identity can be a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If you're transferring through an agent or by mail and cannot sign the title in person, you may need to have your signature notarized. Check the current DMV instructions to see whether notarization is required for your situation.
Title transfers with a lien or loan
If the vehicle has a lien — meaning a bank, credit union, or other lender still owns it until the loan is paid off — the lienholder's name appears on the title. When you transfer the title, the lien transfers with it. You do not pay extra for this, and the process is the same as a transfer without a lien.
If you're buying a vehicle with a lien, the seller's lender must release the lien before the title can be transferred to you. This usually happens at closing or shortly after. The seller or their lender will provide a lien release document, which you include with your transfer paperwork. If you're financing the purchase through your own lender, your lender's name will be added as the lienholder on your new title.
If you're paying off a loan and want to remove the lienholder from the title, contact your lender to request a lien release. Once you have the release, you can request a corrected title (which costs $7) to remove the lender's name, or straightforward keep the title as is if the lien is satisfied.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title without going to the DMV?
Yes. You can mail your documents and payment to Wisconsin DMV, or use an authorized agent like a car dealer or title service to submit the paperwork for you. Both methods avoid a trip to the DMV office, though processing takes 5 to 10 business days instead of same-day service.
Do I have to pay sales tax when I transfer a title?
Sales tax is separate from the title transfer fee. Wisconsin charges sales tax on vehicle purchases, but that is handled through your purchase paperwork and paid to the state separately — not as part of the title transfer fee. Your DMV office or agent can explain how sales tax applies to your specific purchase.
What if I lose the title before I can transfer it?
You can request a duplicate title for $7. Submit an process with proof of identity and ownership (such as registration or insurance documents) to Wisconsin DMV. Once you have the duplicate, you can proceed with the transfer using the same process and paying the standard $78 fee.
Does the transfer fee change if I'm transferring to a family member?
No. Wisconsin charges the same $78 fee for all title transfers, regardless of whether you're selling to a stranger, giving the vehicle to a family member, or inheriting it. The fee does not change based on the relationship between the old and new owner.
How long is my current title valid while I wait for the new one?
Your current title remains valid until the new title is issued. If you're transferring by mail, you'll have the current title for 5 to 10 business days while DMV processes your paperwork. During that time, you can still drive the vehicle. Once the new title arrives, the old one is no longer valid.