Pat Goss' Tips & Expert Advice

How to Transfer a Car Title

Transferring a car title when you purchase a vehicle at a dealer is rarely a hassle. Usually the dealership has already taken ownership of the vehicle and does all the appropriate paperwork necessary to complete the vehicle title transfer. When you purchase a car from another individual, however, you may be confused about how to transfer car title paperwork. This is extremely important because there are many different problems which can result from an improperly transferred car title. The new owner may not be able to sell the vehicle. The previous owner may be responsible for damage done by the vehicle, even though the new owner caused the damage. An improper title transfer can cause big problems with insuring the vehicle. To find out the proper steps to take when transferring a car title, both the seller and the buyer should check with their local Department of Motor Vehicle. Since each state has different rules and regulations surrounding the process, it is vital that all parties involved in the transfer have full knowledge of the requirements. The process usually involves a few simple forms which are filled out and sent to the DMV. Both the seller and the buyer need to make sure that the correct forms are filled out properly, otherwise the auto title transfer may not be valid.