The basic steps to transfer car ownership
To transfer a car's ownership, you sign the title document over to the new owner, submit it to your state's motor vehicle department along with a completed process form, and pay a transfer fee. The new owner then registers the vehicle in their name. The exact forms and fees vary by state, but every state requires the signed title and a completed transfer process before the vehicle legally belongs to someone else.
You do not need to go to the motor vehicle office yourself in most states — the new owner can handle the registration part. But you must sign the title in front of a notary public or at the motor vehicle office, depending on your state's rules. Some states require both the seller and buyer to sign; others require only the seller's signature.
The process usually takes two to four weeks from the day you sign the title until the new owner receives their registration. If you are selling the car, you should not hand over the keys until you have signed the title and the buyer has a copy of it.
Key Takeaways
- You must sign the title document in front of a notary public or at your state's motor vehicle office, depending on your state's specific rules.
- The new owner completes a transfer process form (often called an "process for Title" or "Registration process") and submits it with the signed title and the transfer fee to the motor vehicle department.
- Your state's motor vehicle website lists the exact form name, required signatures, and current transfer fee for your vehicle type.
- The title must be free of liens before transfer — if you still owe money on the car, the lender's name appears on the title and must release it first.
What documents you need to have ready
Gather the title document itself (the physical certificate of ownership), your driver's license or state ID, and the buyer's driver's license or ID number. If the title is lost or damaged, you can request a replacement from your state's motor vehicle department before you transfer it — this adds one to two weeks to the timeline.
If someone else's name is on the title with you (a co-owner), both of you must sign the title unless your state allows one person to sign on behalf of both. Check your state's motor vehicle website or call their customer service line to confirm whether you need both signatures.
If the car has a lien on it — meaning a bank or lender still owns it until you pay off the loan — the lender's name appears on the title. You cannot transfer the car until the lien is removed. Contact your lender and ask them to release the lien once you pay off the loan, or ask them to send the title directly to the new owner's lender if they are financing the purchase.
Where to get the title signed
Most states require the title to be signed in front of a notary public. You can find notaries at banks, credit unions, UPS stores, libraries, and some post offices — many charge $5 to $15 per signature. A few states allow you to sign the title at the motor vehicle office itself instead of using a notary.
When you go to the notary, bring the title, your driver's license, and the buyer's driver's license (some notaries require both parties to be present, though many do not). The notary will watch you sign, verify your identity, and stamp the document. Ask the notary to sign and date the title in the exact location your state requires — this varies, so check your state's motor vehicle website first.
If you are mailing the title to the buyer or to the motor vehicle department, use certified mail with signature confirmation so you have proof of delivery. Do not send the original title through regular mail.
What the new owner does to register the car
Once you have signed the title, the new owner takes it to their state's motor vehicle office (or mails it, depending on the state) along with a completed transfer process form, proof of insurance, and the transfer fee. The process form is usually called an "process for Title and Registration" or "Motor Vehicle Registration process" — your state's motor vehicle website has the exact form name and a downloadable PDF.
The new owner will also need to provide proof of residency (a utility bill or lease agreement) and may need to pass an emissions test or vehicle inspection, depending on the state and the car's age. Some states allow the new owner to register online or by mail; others require an in-person visit.
Once the motor vehicle department processes the process, they mail the new registration and title to the new owner's address. This usually takes two to four weeks. During this time, the new owner should not drive the car without at least a temporary registration, which some states issue when ready and others mail separately.
Handling a car with no title or a lost title
If the title is lost, damaged, or never received, you can request a replacement from your state's motor vehicle department. This is called a "duplicate title" or "certified copy of title." You will need to fill out a form (usually called "process for Duplicate Title"), provide your driver's license, and pay a fee that ranges from $5 to $30 depending on the state.
The replacement title arrives by mail in one to three weeks. Once you have it, you can proceed with the transfer the same way as with an original title. If the car has a lien on it, the replacement title will show the lender's name, and you will need the lender's permission to transfer it.
If you are buying a car from someone who cannot locate the title, you can still transfer ownership in most states, but the process is longer. You will need to file for a "bonded title" or "certificate of ownership," which requires a surety bond (a type of insurance) and takes four to eight weeks. Your state's motor vehicle department can explain this process if it applies to your situation.
Transfer fees and costs
Transfer fees vary widely by state and by vehicle type. Most states charge between $15 and $50 to transfer a title. Some states charge based on the vehicle's weight or age, and a few charge more for commercial vehicles or motorcycles. Check your state's motor vehicle website for the exact fee.
You may also need to pay for a notary signature ($5 to $15), a replacement title if the original is lost ($5 to $30), and an emissions or safety inspection if your state requires one (typically $20 to $50). If you are transferring a car with a lien, ask your lender whether they charge a fee to release it — most do not, but some do.
The new owner will pay registration fees, which are separate from the transfer fee and vary by state. These are not your responsibility as the seller.
What happens if you do not transfer the title
If you sell a car but do not transfer the title to the new owner, you remain the legal owner. This means you are responsible for any traffic tickets, parking violations, or accidents the new owner causes. You may also be liable if the car is used in a crime or if the new owner does not pay property taxes on it.
Additionally, if the new owner does not register the car and gets pulled over, the officer will see that you are the registered owner, which can create legal confusion. Some states will not allow the new owner to register the car without a signed title from you, so the transfer protects both of you.
Always complete the title transfer before you hand over the keys and payment. If you are buying a car, do not pay until you have the signed title in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I transfer a title if I still owe money on the car?
No, not without the lender's permission. The lender's name appears on the title as a lienholder, and they must release the lien before you can transfer ownership. Contact your lender and ask them to release the lien once you pay off the loan, or ask them to work directly with the new owner's lender if the buyer is financing the purchase.
Do both the buyer and seller have to sign the title?
It depends on your state. Some states require only the seller to sign; others require both. Check your state's motor vehicle website or call their customer service line to find out. The title document itself usually shows where signatures go and who must sign.
What if I lose the title after I sign it but before the new owner registers it?
Contact your state's motor vehicle department when ready and report it lost. You can request a replacement title, but this delays the transfer by one to three weeks. Ask the new owner to wait for the replacement before they try to register the car, or provide them with a police report of the lost title so they can register it in the meantime (some states allow this).
How long does it take for the new owner to get their registration after I sign the title?
Usually two to four weeks from the day the motor vehicle department receives the completed process. The new owner should not drive the car without at least a temporary registration during this time. Some states issue temporary registrations when ready; others mail them separately.
Can I transfer a title online?
Some states allow you to submit the transfer process online, but you still must sign the title in front of a notary public or at the motor vehicle office — you cannot sign it electronically. Check your state's motor vehicle website to see whether online submission is available and what documents you can mail versus what you must submit in person.