How to Transfer a Car Title
A car title is a legal document that is used to prove the ownership of a vehicle. This title includes information pertaining to the vehicle, such as the make, model, year, vehicle identification number, or VIN and mileage. It will also include the owner’s name and address. Below are some tips on how to perform a title transfer, plus tips for transferring titles across state lines and to family members.
How Title Transfers Work
Both the seller and buyer need to take specific steps to complete the transfer process. While the cost and required paperwork do differ by state, below are the steps to change the title of a vehicle.
Seller Signs the Title
The seller will release ownership of the vehicle by signing the title. If the title has two names, both owners will need to sign it unless there’s an “or” separating their names. Some states will need notarized signatures.
Buyer Takes the Title to the State Office
The buyer will take the released car title to the nearest state office that processes car titles. Even if your state doesn’t mandate the notarizing of a car title, it is still worth getting it notarized to prevent any confusion or dispute over legal ownership at a later date. Check with your state for additional paperwork required.
The DMV Issues the New Title
The new title is mailed to the new owner of the car. The timeline for this will vary by state, however, typically it takes approximately 6 weeks. Some states offer electronic car titles. If your state only provides e-titles, you could have to pay a fee to receive a paper copy of the title in order to complete the sale.
If you would like to make an appointment to discuss a title transfer, please contact Houston Title Services at (832) 346-2347 now if you live in the Houston, TX region.