What You Need to Do to Transfer a Car Title in Texas
To transfer a car title in Texas, you file Form 130-U (process for Texas Title) with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, along with proof of ownership, a bill of sale, and payment. The process takes about two weeks by mail or a few days in person at a local county tax assessor-collector's office. You do not need to visit the DMV — Texas handles title transfers through county tax offices instead.
The exact documents you bring depend on whether you are buying a used car, inheriting one, or receiving it as a gift. If you are buying from a private seller, you need a signed bill of sale showing the purchase price. If the previous owner still holds the title, they must sign it over to you. If you are buying from a dealer, they usually handle the paperwork and submit it for you.
Key Takeaways
- File Form 130-U at your county tax assessor-collector's office, not at a state DMV office, because Texas processes titles locally.
- You need the signed title from the previous owner, a bill of sale, proof of identity, and proof of residency to complete the transfer.
- The fee for a standard title transfer is $28.00, though fees vary slightly by county and may be higher if the title was lost or damaged.
- Processing takes about two weeks by mail or same-day to a few days in person, depending on how busy your county office is.
- If the previous owner will not sign the title, you can file a Form 130-U-OL (process for Texas Title Without Consent) and the county may issue a title in your name after investigation.
Documents You Need Before You Go to the County Office
Gather these documents before you visit or mail your paperwork. The previous owner must sign the back of the title certificate in the designated signature box. If there are two owners listed, both must sign unless the title shows "or" between their names — in that case, only one signature is needed.
You also need a bill of sale signed by the seller. This can be a formal document or a straightforward written statement that includes the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the signatures of both buyer and seller. Texas does not require a specific form for a bill of sale, but having one in writing protects both parties.
Bring a government-issued photo ID (driver's license, passport, or military ID) and proof of your current Texas address. A utility bill, lease agreement, or mortgage statement dated within the last 60 days works for address proof. If you moved recently and your ID does not show your new address, bring both the old ID and the address proof.
If the title was issued in another state, bring that title and the vehicle's out-of-state registration. If the vehicle has a lien (the bank or lender still owns it), the lienholder must sign the title as well, or you need written consent from them. Some lienholders mail the signed title directly to the county office.
How to File in Person at Your County Tax Assessor-Collector
Find your county tax assessor-collector's office online by searching "[your county name] tax assessor-collector." Most offices are open Monday through Friday during standard business hours, though some have Saturday hours. Call ahead to confirm they accept walk-in title transfers and ask about current wait times.
Bring all documents listed above, the completed Form 130-U, and the $28.00 fee. You can pay by cash, check, or card, depending on what the office accepts. The staff will review your documents, take your payment, and give you a receipt. They will submit the paperwork to the state, and you will receive your new title by mail within a few days to two weeks.
If you need the title faster, some counties offer expedited processing for an additional fee — typically $10.00 to $20.00 more. Ask the staff whether this option is available and what the timeline would be. Even with expedited service, you still receive the title by mail; it just moves through the queue faster.
How to File by Mail
Complete Form 130-U and gather all required documents. Make copies of everything except the original title and bill of sale — keep those originals. Mail the original title, original bill of sale, copies of your ID and address proof, the completed Form 130-U, and a check or money order for $28.00 to your county tax assessor-collector's office.
Include a cover letter with your name, phone number, and email address so the office can contact you if they have questions. Mail everything to the address listed on the county's website. Processing by mail typically takes two to three weeks from the date the office receives your package, though it may take longer during busy periods.
Do not mail the original title and bill of sale unless you are certain the office will not lose them. Some people prefer to file in person for this reason. If you do mail originals, send the package via certified mail with return receipt so you have proof of delivery.
What Happens If the Previous Owner Will Not Sign the Title
If the seller refuses to sign the title or cannot be reached, file Form 130-U-OL (process for Texas Title Without Consent) instead of the standard Form 130-U. This form tells the state that you own the vehicle but the previous owner has not signed the title over. You will need to provide evidence that you own the vehicle — typically a bill of sale, proof of payment, and a statement explaining why the title is unsigned.
The county office will investigate your claim. This process takes longer than a standard transfer, usually four to six weeks. The state may contact the previous owner to verify they sold you the vehicle. If the investigation confirms you own it, the state will issue a title in your name without the previous owner's signature.
If you bought the vehicle at an auction or from a salvage yard, the seller should provide documentation showing they have the right to sell it. Bring that documentation with your Form 130-U-OL. If the vehicle was repossessed or sold by a lender, bring the lender's paperwork showing the sale.
Special Situations: Inherited Vehicles, Gifts, and Salvage Titles
If you inherited a vehicle, you need the death certificate of the previous owner and a document showing you are the heir (a will, probate order, or affidavit of heirship). The process is similar to a standard transfer, but you file the death certificate instead of a bill of sale. Some counties require an affidavit of heirship if the estate did not go through probate.
If someone gave you a vehicle as a gift, you still need a bill of sale, but the sale price can be listed as "gift" or "$0." Both the giver and receiver must sign the bill of sale. The county office will not charge sales tax on a gift, but you will still pay the $28.00 title transfer fee.
If the vehicle has a salvage title (meaning it was declared a total loss by an insurance company), the transfer process is the same, but you cannot register the vehicle for road use in Texas until it passes inspection and receives a rebuilt title. This requires a separate inspection by an authorized mechanic and an additional process to the state.
Fees and Timeline Summary
| Method | Fee | Timeline | Where to Go |
|---|---|---|---|
| In person, standard | $28.00 | Same day to a few days | County tax assessor-collector |
| In person, expedited | $38.00–$48.00 | Same day to a few days | County tax assessor-collector |
| By mail, standard | $28.00 | 2–3 weeks | Mail to county office |
| Without consent (Form 130-U-OL) | $28.00 | 4–6 weeks | County tax assessor-collector |
The $28.00 fee is the standard Texas title transfer fee set by the state. Some counties charge an additional county processing fee of $2.00 to $5.00. Call your county office to confirm the exact total you will owe. If the title was lost or damaged, replacement fees are higher — usually $20.00 to $30.00 on top of the transfer fee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to register the vehicle before or after I transfer the title?
You can do either, but most people transfer the title first and then register the vehicle. Registration requires proof of title, so you need the new title in your name before you can complete registration. If you are buying from a dealer, they often handle both the title transfer and initial registration for you.
What if I bought the car out of state and need to transfer an out-of-state title to Texas?
Bring the out-of-state title, the bill of sale, and your Texas ID and address proof to your county tax assessor-collector. The process is the same as a standard transfer. The county will submit your out-of-state title to the state, and you will receive a Texas title. Some states take longer to release the original title, so processing may take three to four weeks instead of two.
Can I transfer a title if the vehicle has a loan on it?
Yes, but the lender (bank or credit union) must sign the title or provide written consent. If the lender holds the title, ask them to sign it and mail it to the county office, or bring it with you in person. The title will show the lender as the lienholder until you pay off the loan and they release their claim.
What if the title has two owners and they are not married?
Check whether the title shows "and" or "or" between the names. If it says "and," both owners must sign. If it says "or," only one owner needs to sign. If you cannot reach one owner, you can file Form 130-U-OL and explain the situation to the county office.
How long does it take to get the new title in the mail?
If you file in person, the county mails the new title within a few days to two weeks, depending on how busy the office is. If you file by mail, add one to two weeks for mail delivery plus two to three weeks for processing, so expect four to five weeks total. Expedited processing speeds up the county's work but does not speed up mail delivery.