[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":567},["ShallowReactive",2],{"item:\u002Fbuying-selling\u002Fhow-to-place-a-car-in-your-name":3,"platform:site":244},{"id":4,"title":5,"aiRevisedAt":6,"authors":7,"body":12,"canonical":176,"category":177,"categorySlugs":188,"cid":189,"cover":190,"description":192,"extension":193,"featured":194,"language":195,"meta":196,"navigation":197,"noindex":194,"ogImage":198,"path":199,"publishedAt":200,"recipe":176,"related":201,"revisedAt":176,"seo":231,"seoDescription":192,"seoTitle":5,"sortKey":176,"sources":232,"stem":237,"tagSlugs":238,"tags":239,"translations":240,"type":241,"url":242,"__hash__":243},"platformItems\u002Fplatform\u002Fitems\u002F19414.md","Transferring Vehicle Ownership: A Step-by-Step Guide","2026-10-10T03:31:19.000Z",[8],{"name":9,"slug":10,"role":11},"Reese Campbell","reese-campbell","author",{"type":13,"value":14,"toc":166},"minimark",[15,24,33,60,67,72,75,94,98,109,113,116,120,127,135,139,146,150,157],[16,17,18,19,23],"p",{},"When you need to change who owns a car, the process involves completing a ",[20,21,22],"strong",{},"vehicle title transfer"," and filing it with the motor vehicles agency in your state.",[16,25,26],{},[27,28],"img",{"alt":29,"height":30,"src":31,"width":32},"Woman in car",1067,"\u002Ffiles\u002Ffd6de497d6b749a8dbee.webp",1600,[34,35,38],"content-callout",{"title":36,"type":37},"Items You Will Need","materials",[39,40,41,45,48,51,54,57],"ul",{},[42,43,44],"li",{},"Amount paid for the vehicle (if applicable)",[42,46,47],{},"Vehicle identification number",[42,49,50],{},"Car's make, model, and year",[42,52,53],{},"Current mileage on the odometer",[42,55,56],{},"Full legal names and addresses of both the buyer and the seller or donor",[42,58,59],{},"A signed bill of sale for the vehicle",[34,61,64],{"title":62,"type":63},"Important Note","note",[16,65,66],{},"Some states may charge sales tax based on the vehicle's selling price in addition to a transfer fee.",[68,69,71],"h2",{"id":70},"purchasing-a-vehicle","Purchasing a Vehicle",[16,73,74],{},"In most states, a bill of sale is required, and it should include all the specifics of your transaction. Certain states, like California and Florida, mandate their own specific form, while others will accept a general version.",[34,76,79],{"title":77,"type":78},"Helpful Hint","tip",[16,80,81,82,85,86,89,90,93],{},"Although the ",[20,83,84],{},"bill of sale"," is a critical document, it ",[20,87,88],{},"does not prove ownership","; it merely allows you to transfer the title. After completing the bill of sale, bring it to your local motor vehicles office, where you will receive a ",[20,91,92],{},"certificate of title",". This certificate serves as legal proof of ownership and is mandatory in all states.",[68,95,97],{"id":96},"receiving-a-car-from-a-relative","Receiving a Car from a Relative",[16,99,100,101,104,105,108],{},"Even when the vehicle is a gift, you will still need all the same title transfer paperwork as a typical purchase. However, in most states, transfers between family members typically avoid sales tax. Qualifying relatives include ",[20,102,103],{},"spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings",", and ",[20,106,107],{},"partners",".",[68,110,112],{"id":111},"getting-a-car-from-someone-unrelated","Getting a Car from Someone Unrelated",[16,114,115],{},"The process is generally the same as for family gifts, and sales tax is usually not required.",[68,117,119],{"id":118},"inheriting-a-vehicle","Inheriting a Vehicle",[16,121,122,123,126],{},"Typically, you must give the motor vehicles agency proof of your identity and your ",[20,124,125],{},"connection to the deceased owner",", along with a statement of facts and other documents such as a will, death certificate, or court records.",[34,128,129],{"title":77,"type":78},[16,130,131,132,108],{},"Before you begin the inheritance process, it is wise to speak with a ",[20,133,134],{},"probate attorney",[68,136,138],{"id":137},"when-a-lease-ends-or-a-loan-is-paid-off","When a Lease Ends or a Loan Is Paid Off",[16,140,141,142,145],{},"If you have a loan or lease on your car, the finance company appears on the title as the lien holder. The ",[20,143,144],{},"finance company normally manages the transfer",", and you will get a lien-release document by mail. You must then submit that document to your local motor vehicles agency office, either in person or by mail.",[68,147,149],{"id":148},"changing-your-name","Changing Your Name",[16,151,152,153,156],{},"You will need ",[20,154,155],{},"proof of the name change"," through an acceptable legal document, such as a birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order, to present to your local motor vehicles agency office.",[34,158,159],{"title":77,"type":78},[16,160,161,162,165],{},"Once the transfer is complete, be ready to pay a transfer fee, and do not forget to ",[20,163,164],{},"update your insurance policy"," to show the new ownership.",{"title":167,"searchDepth":168,"depth":168,"links":169},"",2,[170,171,172,173,174,175],{"id":70,"depth":168,"text":71},{"id":96,"depth":168,"text":97},{"id":111,"depth":168,"text":112},{"id":118,"depth":168,"text":119},{"id":137,"depth":168,"text":138},{"id":148,"depth":168,"text":149},null,{"slug":178,"name":179,"path":180},"buying-selling","Buying & Selling",[181,184,187],{"slug":182,"name":183},"lifestyle","Lifestyle",{"slug":185,"name":186},"cars","Cars",{"slug":178,"name":179},[182,185,178],19414,{"src":31,"srcset":191,"width":32,"height":30,"alt":29},"\u002Ffiles\u002F61f01104b5cbcf3a3623.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002F760308fb405909c42af9.webp 800w, \u002Ffiles\u002Ffd6de497d6b749a8dbee.webp 1600w","Beyond a straightforward purchase, there are several situations that call for updating a car's title, and each one must be processed through the state's motor vehicle department.","md",false,"en",{},true,"\u002Ffiles\u002Fa3d3a1eb0a3a99fdcbcc.jpg","\u002Fplatform\u002Fitems\u002F19414","2026-10-04T07:24:11.000Z",[202,210,217,224],{"url":203,"title":204,"cover":205},"\u002Fcar-repair\u002Fhow-to-change-the-brake-pads-on-a-2000-blazer","Replacing Front Brake Pads on a 2000 Chevy Blazer: A Step-by-Step Guide",{"src":206,"srcset":207,"width":208,"height":209,"alt":204},"\u002Ffiles\u002F56b70d6993777de9a1ec.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002Fb821c6bcee65f67a1633.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002F56b70d6993777de9a1ec.webp 800w",800,576,{"url":211,"title":212,"cover":213},"\u002Fcar-repair\u002Fengine-additives-to-help-lifter-noise","Products That May Quiet Noisy Lifters",{"src":214,"srcset":215,"width":208,"height":216,"alt":212},"\u002Ffiles\u002F8ce1cee3507fa843fdd9.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F64acd1c071c3f64de2bf.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002F8ce1cee3507fa843fdd9.webp 800w",600,{"url":218,"title":219,"cover":220},"\u002Fcar-repair\u002Fhow-to-reset-a-stuck-seatbelt","Simple Steps to Free a Jammed Seatbelt",{"src":221,"srcset":222,"width":208,"height":223,"alt":219},"\u002Ffiles\u002Fa240df8dcca451fd6678.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F8bb22e162c300e112cfa.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002Fa240df8dcca451fd6678.webp 800w",533,{"url":225,"title":226,"cover":227},"\u002Fcar-repair\u002Fhow-to-program-a-gs300-garage-opener","Programming the HomeLink System in a Lexus GS300 to Operate Your Garage Door",{"src":228,"srcset":229,"width":208,"height":230,"alt":226},"\u002Ffiles\u002F81d8e8d3ac2bd0f9dca3.webp","\u002Ffiles\u002F5d35b3ff582e89f57a15.webp 400w, \u002Ffiles\u002F81d8e8d3ac2bd0f9dca3.webp 800w",523,{"title":5,"description":192},[233],{"url":234,"title":235,"publisher":236},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.ehow.com\u002Fhow_4477656_put-car-name.html","How to Place a Car in Your Name","eHow","platform\u002Fitems\u002F19414",[],[],[],"article","\u002Fbuying-selling\u002Fhow-to-place-a-car-in-your-name","8vRn-wr6EqL5VSy88iSJ_mOQjK-GWzXdkp9HqIo6ugM",{"id":245,"categories":246,"extension":558,"meta":559,"pageSize":560,"rootCategory":182,"site":561,"stem":564,"tags":565,"total":248,"__hash__":566},"platformSite\u002Fplatform\u002Fsite.json",{"lifestyle":247,"home":261,"cleaning":271,"home-hacks":280,"home-repair":289,"home-maintenance":300,"carpentry-remodeling":310,"diy":320,"crafts":329,"art-projects":341,"sewing":351,"fun-crafts":360,"celebrations":369,"party-ideas":391,"birthday-parties":400,"halloween":409,"christmas":418,"thanksgiving":427,"easter":435,"valentines-day":443,"fourth-of-july":451,"new-year":459,"mothers-day":467,"back-to-school":475,"weddings":483,"baby-showers":491,"gift-ideas":499,"garden":508,"cars":516,"car-repair":525,"buying-selling":534,"motorcycles":541,"travel":549},{"slug":182,"name":183,"description":176,"count":248,"url":249,"pages":250,"parent":176,"children":251,"path":259},784,"\u002Flifestyle",44,[252,253,254,255,256,257,185,258],"home","home-repair","diy","crafts","celebrations","garden","travel",[260],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":252,"name":262,"description":176,"count":263,"url":264,"pages":168,"parent":182,"children":265,"path":268},"Home",34,"\u002Fhome",[266,267],"cleaning","home-hacks",[269,270],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":252,"name":262},{"slug":266,"name":272,"description":176,"count":273,"url":274,"pages":168,"parent":252,"children":275,"path":276},"Cleaning",32,"\u002Fcleaning",[],[277,278,279],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":252,"name":262},{"slug":266,"name":272},{"slug":267,"name":281,"description":176,"count":168,"url":282,"pages":283,"parent":252,"children":284,"path":285},"Home Hacks","\u002Fhome-hacks",1,[],[286,287,288],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":252,"name":262},{"slug":267,"name":281},{"slug":253,"name":290,"description":176,"count":291,"url":292,"pages":293,"parent":182,"children":294,"path":297},"Home Repair",180,"\u002Fhome-repair",10,[295,296],"home-maintenance","carpentry-remodeling",[298,299],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":253,"name":290},{"slug":295,"name":301,"description":176,"count":302,"url":303,"pages":304,"parent":253,"children":305,"path":306},"Home Maintenance",52,"\u002Fhome-maintenance",3,[],[307,308,309],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":253,"name":290},{"slug":295,"name":301},{"slug":296,"name":311,"description":176,"count":312,"url":313,"pages":314,"parent":253,"children":315,"path":316},"Carpentry & Remodeling",128,"\u002Fcarpentry-remodeling",8,[],[317,318,319],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":253,"name":290},{"slug":296,"name":311},{"slug":254,"name":321,"description":176,"count":322,"url":323,"pages":324,"parent":182,"children":325,"path":326},"DIY",145,"\u002Fdiy",9,[],[327,328],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":254,"name":321},{"slug":255,"name":330,"description":176,"count":331,"url":332,"pages":333,"parent":182,"children":334,"path":338},"Crafts",116,"\u002Fcrafts",7,[335,336,337],"art-projects","sewing","fun-crafts",[339,340],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":255,"name":330},{"slug":335,"name":342,"description":176,"count":343,"url":344,"pages":345,"parent":255,"children":346,"path":347},"Art Projects",66,"\u002Fart-projects",4,[],[348,349,350],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":255,"name":330},{"slug":335,"name":342},{"slug":336,"name":352,"description":176,"count":353,"url":354,"pages":168,"parent":255,"children":355,"path":356},"Sewing",28,"\u002Fsewing",[],[357,358,359],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":255,"name":330},{"slug":336,"name":352},{"slug":337,"name":361,"description":176,"count":362,"url":363,"pages":168,"parent":255,"children":364,"path":365},"Fun Crafts",22,"\u002Ffun-crafts",[],[366,367,368],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":255,"name":330},{"slug":337,"name":361},{"slug":256,"name":370,"description":176,"count":371,"url":372,"pages":314,"parent":182,"children":373,"path":388},"Celebrations",141,"\u002Fcelebrations",[374,375,376,377,378,379,380,381,382,383,384,385,386,387],"party-ideas","birthday-parties","halloween","christmas","thanksgiving","easter","valentines-day","fourth-of-july","new-year","mothers-day","back-to-school","weddings","baby-showers","gift-ideas",[389,390],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":374,"name":392,"description":176,"count":393,"url":394,"pages":304,"parent":256,"children":395,"path":396},"Party Ideas",42,"\u002Fparty-ideas",[],[397,398,399],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":374,"name":392},{"slug":375,"name":401,"description":176,"count":402,"url":403,"pages":168,"parent":256,"children":404,"path":405},"Birthday Parties",24,"\u002Fbirthday-parties",[],[406,407,408],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":375,"name":401},{"slug":376,"name":410,"description":176,"count":411,"url":412,"pages":168,"parent":256,"children":413,"path":414},"Halloween",27,"\u002Fhalloween",[],[415,416,417],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":376,"name":410},{"slug":377,"name":419,"description":176,"count":420,"url":421,"pages":168,"parent":256,"children":422,"path":423},"Christmas",20,"\u002Fchristmas",[],[424,425,426],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":377,"name":419},{"slug":378,"name":428,"description":176,"count":345,"url":429,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":430,"path":431},"Thanksgiving","\u002Fthanksgiving",[],[432,433,434],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":378,"name":428},{"slug":379,"name":436,"description":176,"count":283,"url":437,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":438,"path":439},"Easter","\u002Feaster",[],[440,441,442],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":379,"name":436},{"slug":380,"name":444,"description":176,"count":304,"url":445,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":446,"path":447},"Valentine's Day","\u002Fvalentines-day",[],[448,449,450],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":380,"name":444},{"slug":381,"name":452,"description":176,"count":304,"url":453,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":454,"path":455},"Fourth of July","\u002Ffourth-of-july",[],[456,457,458],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":381,"name":452},{"slug":382,"name":460,"description":176,"count":168,"url":461,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":462,"path":463},"New Year","\u002Fnew-year",[],[464,465,466],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":382,"name":460},{"slug":383,"name":468,"description":176,"count":283,"url":469,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":470,"path":471},"Mother's Day","\u002Fmothers-day",[],[472,473,474],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":383,"name":468},{"slug":384,"name":476,"description":176,"count":168,"url":477,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":478,"path":479},"Back to School","\u002Fback-to-school",[],[480,481,482],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":384,"name":476},{"slug":385,"name":484,"description":176,"count":304,"url":485,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":486,"path":487},"Weddings","\u002Fweddings",[],[488,489,490],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":385,"name":484},{"slug":386,"name":492,"description":176,"count":345,"url":493,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":494,"path":495},"Baby Showers","\u002Fbaby-showers",[],[496,497,498],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":386,"name":492},{"slug":387,"name":500,"description":176,"count":501,"url":502,"pages":283,"parent":256,"children":503,"path":504},"Gift Ideas",5,"\u002Fgift-ideas",[],[505,506,507],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":256,"name":370},{"slug":387,"name":500},{"slug":257,"name":509,"description":176,"count":510,"url":511,"pages":304,"parent":182,"children":512,"path":513},"Garden",43,"\u002Fgarden",[],[514,515],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":257,"name":509},{"slug":185,"name":186,"description":176,"count":517,"url":518,"pages":283,"parent":182,"children":519,"path":522},13,"\u002Fcars",[520,178,521],"car-repair","motorcycles",[523,524],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":185,"name":186},{"slug":520,"name":526,"description":176,"count":527,"url":528,"pages":283,"parent":185,"children":529,"path":530},"Car Repair & Maintenance",11,"\u002Fcar-repair",[],[531,532,533],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":185,"name":186},{"slug":520,"name":526},{"slug":178,"name":179,"description":176,"count":283,"url":535,"pages":283,"parent":185,"children":536,"path":537},"\u002Fbuying-selling",[],[538,539,540],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":185,"name":186},{"slug":178,"name":179},{"slug":521,"name":542,"description":176,"count":283,"url":543,"pages":283,"parent":185,"children":544,"path":545},"Motorcycles","\u002Fmotorcycles",[],[546,547,548],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":185,"name":186},{"slug":521,"name":542},{"slug":258,"name":550,"description":176,"count":551,"url":552,"pages":553,"parent":182,"children":554,"path":555},"Travel",108,"\u002Ftravel",6,[],[556,557],{"slug":182,"name":183},{"slug":258,"name":550},"json",{},18,{"slug":562,"name":563,"domain":563,"language":195},"designhomeup-com","designhomeup.com","platform\u002Fsite",[],"ettIqDHGbwytDwUKzkj_1m8SNO0UxWMcZ7yNjSxv99Q",1792399694479]