What you need to do to transfer a car title in Minnesota

To transfer a car title in Minnesota, you fill out a form with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, pay a fee, and submit it along with proof of ownership and identification. The state processes the paperwork and issues a new title in the new owner's name. The whole process typically takes two to four weeks by mail, though you can speed it up by going to a Driver and Vehicle Services office in person.

The specific steps depend on whether you're buying a used car, inheriting one, receiving one as a gift, or transferring ownership between family members. Each situation requires slightly different documents, though the core form and fee stay the same.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit form REG 13 (process for Minnesota Certificate of Title) to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety within 10 days of buying or receiving a vehicle.
  • The title transfer fee is $8.50, plus an additional $5 if you need a duplicate title or are transferring between owners in the same household.
  • You need the signed title from the previous owner, proof of identification, and proof of Minnesota residency to complete the transfer.
  • Processing takes two to four weeks by mail; you can submit in person at any Driver and Vehicle Services office to potentially speed this up.
  • If the previous owner's name is misspelled on the title or the title is damaged, you may need to request a corrected or duplicate title first.

Gather the documents you'll need before you start

The previous owner's signed title is the foundation of any title transfer. The signature must be in blue or black ink, not printed. If there are two names on the title, both owners must sign unless one has already signed and the other is transferring their share to the first owner. If the title is missing, damaged, or the previous owner cannot locate it, you'll need to request a duplicate title from the Department of Public Safety first — this adds time to your transfer.

You also need proof of your Minnesota residency. Acceptable documents include a Minnesota driver's license, a utility bill dated within the last 60 days, a lease agreement, or a property tax statement. If you don't have a Minnesota driver's license yet, bring your out-of-state license plus one of the other residency documents.

Bring a photo ID — your driver's license works for this. If you're under 18, a parent or guardian must sign the process and bring their ID as well. If someone else is signing the process on your behalf, they need a power of attorney document notarized by a notary public.

Complete form REG 13 and calculate the fee

Form REG 13 is the process for Minnesota Certificate of Title. You can read it from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website or pick up a copy at any Driver and Vehicle Services office. Fill in the vehicle information (year, make, model, vehicle identification number), the previous owner's name and address, your name and address, and the date of purchase or transfer.

The base fee for a title transfer is $8.50. If you need a duplicate title because the original is lost or damaged, add $5. If you're transferring a title between two people in the same household (for example, adding a spouse's name), the fee is also $5 instead of $8.50. Some transactions, such as transfers between family members or transfers of vehicles with a salvage title, may have different fees — check the Department of Public Safety website or call 651-297-2126 to confirm your exact fee before you submit.

Pay by check or money order made out to "Minnesota Department of Public Safety." Do not send cash. If you're submitting by mail, include the check with your process packet.

Submit your process by mail or in person

To submit by mail, send your completed form REG 13, the signed title, your fee, and copies of your ID and residency proof to:

Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services Title Section 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 161 St. Paul, MN 55101

Processing takes two to four weeks from the date the office receives your packet. Mail delivery adds another few days on each end, so plan for five to six weeks total if you're mailing from outside the Twin Cities area.

To submit in person, visit any Driver and Vehicle Services office during business hours. Locations and hours are listed on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Bring the same documents and fee. Staff can often process your process on the spot or within a few days, and you may be able to pick up your new title in person rather than waiting for it to arrive by mail.

What happens after you submit

The Department of Public Safety will mail your new title to the address you provided on the process. The title will show your name as the owner. If you financed the vehicle, the lender's name will also appear on the title as a lienholder — this is normal and does not delay the process.

If there's a problem with your process — a missing signature, an illegible vehicle identification number, or a fee that's too low — the office will mail you a notice asking you to correct it. This adds another two to four weeks to the timeline. To avoid this, double-check that the previous owner's signature is in ink, that you've filled in the vehicle identification number correctly (it's on the dashboard and the title), and that your fee matches your transaction type.

Once you receive your new title, keep it in a safe place. You'll need it if you sell the vehicle, refinance a loan, or transfer the title again in the future.

Special situations: gifts, inheritance, and family transfers

If you received the vehicle as a gift, the previous owner still signs the title, but you may not have a bill of sale. The Department of Public Safety accepts a gift as proof of transfer. Fill out form REG 13 as usual, and the fee remains $8.50.

If you inherited the vehicle, you'll need the title plus a copy of the death certificate and a document showing you're the legal heir (such as a will or probate order). Contact the Department of Public Safety at 651-297-2126 before you submit to confirm what documents they need — inheritance transfers sometimes have different requirements depending on whether the estate went through probate.

If you're adding a spouse's name to your title or transferring the title between spouses, the fee is $5 instead of $8.50. Both spouses must sign the process, and you'll need both IDs and proof of residency.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Minnesota title?

By mail, expect two to four weeks from the date the office receives your packet, plus mail delivery time on both ends — typically five to six weeks total. In person at a Driver and Vehicle Services office, you may receive your title the same day or within a few days. Call ahead to ask whether your local office can process titles same-day.

What if the previous owner won't sign the title?

You cannot transfer a title without the previous owner's signature. If the owner is deceased, you need a death certificate and proof of heirship. If the owner is unreachable or refuses to sign, you may need to pursue a court order or contact an attorney — this is outside the scope of a standard title transfer.

Can I drive the car before the new title arrives?

Yes, you can drive the vehicle once you own it, even if the title hasn't arrived yet. However, you should carry proof that you've submitted the transfer process — keep a copy of your mailed packet receipt or your in-person submission receipt. If you're stopped by police, show them the receipt along with the old title.

What if there's a lien on the vehicle?

If the vehicle is financed, the lender's name appears on the title as a lienholder. You cannot transfer the title to yourself alone until the loan is paid off. The lender must sign the title or provide a lien release document. Once the loan is paid, request a duplicate title from the Department of Public Safety showing you as the sole owner.

Do I need to register the vehicle at the same time as the title transfer?

No, title transfer and vehicle registration are separate processes. You must transfer the title first, then register the vehicle with the state. You can do both at the same Driver and Vehicle Services office on the same visit if you go in person, but they require different forms and fees.