How to Transfer a Car Title in a Private Sale, Step by Step
A private car sale is finished only when the title changes hands correctly. Signatures, the odometer statement and a lien release cause most of the problems.
To transfer a car title in a private sale, the seller signs the title over to the buyer and fills in the odometer reading, sale date and price, and the buyer takes that title to the state DMV to register the car in their name within the state’s deadline. If there is a loan, the lender must release its lien first. Most states also expect the seller to report the sale so they are no longer liable for the car.
The details differ by state, so use the seller’s and buyer’s state DMV pages as the final word. USA.gov keeps a list of every state’s motor vehicle agency.
What does the seller need to do?
The seller’s job is to hand over a clean, signed title and report the sale.
- Find the title and check that your name matches it exactly. If the title is lost, apply for a duplicate before you list the car.
- Pay off any loan and get the lien release. The lender either signs the title, sends a release letter, or releases the lien electronically.
- Sign and print your name in the seller section. If two owners are listed with “and,” both usually must sign. If they are listed with “or,” one signature is often enough.
- Write the odometer reading, without tenths, and check the box if the mileage is not accurate or exceeds the odometer’s limit.
- Fill in the buyer’s name, the sale date and the price. Do not leave the buyer section blank.
- Give the buyer a bill of sale and any required inspection or emissions certificate.
- Report the sale to the DMV. In California, the seller must file a Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability within 5 days.
- Remove your plates if your state requires it, and cancel your insurance only after the sale is reported.
Avoid “open titles,” where the seller signs but leaves the buyer blank. They are illegal in many states and make it hard to prove you no longer own the car.
What does the buyer need to do?
The buyer has to retitle and register the car in their name, usually within a set number of days. California, for example, requires a change of ownership to be reported to the DMV within 10 days, according to the California DMV’s title transfer page. Other states set their own deadlines, and late fees are common.
- Before paying, run the VIN through a title history check and look for open recalls.
- Check that the VIN on the title matches the VIN on the dashboard and door jamb.
- Collect the signed title, the bill of sale, the lien release if there was a loan, and any inspection certificate.
- Get insurance on the car before you drive it home.
- Go to the DMV, or its online service if your state has one, with your ID, proof of insurance and payment for title fees and sales or use tax.
Our guide to salvage and rebuilt titles explains what a branded title means before you buy. If the car has an open recall, the repair is still free after you buy it. Our page on selling a car with an open recall covers what to check.
When is an odometer disclosure required?
Federal law requires the seller to state the mileage in writing when ownership changes, and the rule now covers newer cars for 20 years. Under 49 CFR 580.17, vehicles from the 2011 model year and newer need a disclosure until 20 years after January 1 of their model year. Vehicles from the 2010 model year and older follow the old 10-year rule, so they are exempt from federal disclosure in 2026.
| Vehicle | Federal odometer disclosure in a 2026 sale |
|---|---|
| 2011 model year or newer | Required |
| 2010 model year or older | Exempt |
| Gross vehicle weight rating over 16,000 lb | Exempt |
The disclosure usually goes in the odometer section of the title. Some states use a separate form or an electronic system. Knowingly writing a false reading is a federal offense. Our guide to spotting odometer rollback shows how buyers can check the number.
Do I need a bill of sale or a notary?
Some states require a bill of sale, and others only recommend it, but both sides should keep one. It records the date, price, VIN, odometer reading and the names and signatures of buyer and seller, and it helps if a dispute or a parking ticket shows up later.
A handful of states require the seller’s signature on the title to be notarized. Ohio is one example. Check the title itself and your state DMV’s instructions, since a missing notary stamp can send the buyer back to find the seller.
What if the title is held by a lender or is electronic?
If the seller still has a loan, the lender holds the title or an electronic lien record. The simplest route is to complete the sale at the lender, such as a bank branch, where the buyer pays the lender directly and the lender releases the lien.
Many states now keep titles electronically while a loan is open. After payoff, the lender releases the lien and the state either prints a paper title or lets the owner transfer it online. Allow time for this before a sale. If you are selling a car worth less than the loan, our guide to upside-down car loans explains how to cover the gap.
Bottom line
A private sale is done when the title is correctly signed, the odometer and price are filled in, the lien is released and the DMV has the paperwork from both sides. Use your state DMV’s checklist, keep copies of everything, and meet the deadlines so neither side ends up paying for the other’s tickets or tolls.
FAQ
Can I transfer a title without the seller present?
Usually yes, if the seller has fully signed the title and given you the other documents. Some states require both parties or a notarized signature, so check before you leave the sale.
What if I made a mistake on the title?
Do not cross out or use correction fluid, since that can void the title. Ask your DMV for its correction form or a statement of error.
How do I transfer a title between states?
Take the out-of-state title to your new state’s DMV. Many states also require a VIN inspection and an emissions or safety check for cars coming from another state.
Does gifting a car need a title transfer?
Yes. A gift is still a change of ownership, and many states have a form that exempts family gifts from sales tax. The odometer rule applies to gifts too.
