How to Transfer a Car Title When You Buy or Sell

Money changed hands in a parking lot, the seller signed the back of the title, and nothing else was filed. Months later the parking tickets still reach the seller, or the buyer cannot register a car the state records under another name. The title is one of several documents a private sale produces, and the skipped ones cause that.

Start at the state agency that issued the title

Titling is handled state by state. The USAGov state motor vehicle services directory lists the agency for every state and territory. Deadlines differ: the California DMV says a change in ownership must be reported within 10 days, while the Texas DMV says a vehicle must be titled in the buyer's name within 30 days of the date of sale.

Check the title history before money changes hands

NMVTIS, the federal vehicle title system, says a report shows the current title and its brand history, the latest reported odometer readings, any salvage determination by an insurance company, and reports of transfer to an auto recycler. Its approved provider list marks which providers sell to consumers.

Fill in the odometer disclosure

The NHTSA consumer alert on odometer disclosure states that, starting January 1, 2021, disclosures are required for every transfer of ownership for the first 20 years beginning with Model Year 2011 vehicles, and that Model Year 2010 and older vehicles remain under the previous 10 year rule. The Virginia DMV instruction is to use the reading from the vehicle, not a guess.

Write the buyer's name in before anyone signs

The Virginia DMV page says to enter the buyer's name and address on the top line of the assignment section, and that all owners listed on the title must print and sign. A title signed with that line empty is an open title, and it breaks the chain of ownership: the California DMV private party page requires a bill of sale signed by both the seller and the owner named on the title whenever they are not the same person.

Clear any lien before the title moves

The Texas DMV lien page says a lienholder has 10 days after receipt of payment to release the lien and mails a paper title back to the owner, and that clearing a paper lien takes the title, a release of lien letter, and Form 130-U. For an electronic lien, it says no action is required.

Write a bill of sale and file the seller's notice

The New York DMV says an acceptable bill of sale records the year and make, the VIN, the date of sale, the purchase price, and both parties' names and signatures. The California Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability page says a seller must notify DMV within 5 calendar days, after which liability for later parking and traffic violations and civil litigation passes to the purchaser.

If the buyer misses the deadline. The Texas DMV page says failure to title within 30 days may bring delinquent transfer penalties, and sends buyers to the county tax office for amounts, which vary locally as of September 2026.

Sources. USAGov motor vehicle directory, NHTSA odometer alert, NMVTIS consumers, NMVTIS providers, California titles, California liability release, California private party, Texas sales, Texas liens, Virginia DMV, New York DMV.