A title transfer is a step-by-step legal process that moves a car’s ownership from one person to another. To do this, you’ll need to fill out some paperwork, pay a small fee and, depending on where you live, visit a notary. The title transfer cost usually ranges from $15 to $45.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To make things easier \u2014 and potentially save time and money \u2014 check out your state-specific requirements at the local DMV. They can give you the exact steps and any special rules or exemptions for your state. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Think of a car title as your car’s legal paperwork. It’s an official document, issued by the state, that shows who owns the vehicle. It has all the car’s details, like its make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN). You need this title to register your car, sell it or transfer ownership to someone else.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A pink slip and a car title are essentially the same thing: the legal document that proves ownership of a vehicle. The term “pink slip” is an older, more informal way to describe a car title, harkening back to a time when racing for “pinks” was a popular practice. Modern car titles are usually not pink.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A title transfer is usually a fairly simple process, but take your time to get each step right \u2014 it can be costly and time-consuming to fix errors on a car title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Car title transfers can cost between $4 and $192, depending on your state and the make and model of the car. Twenty-eight U.S. states charge $25 or less for its title transfer fee, and only four states charge more than $100. <\/p>\n\n\n\n