How to Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member

Different Scenarios Where You May Want to Transfer Car Title to Family Member

There are several reasons for transferring a car title to a family member. You could be gifting your car to a family member, receiving a car as an inheritance, or in a situation where the vehicle of a deceased person is handed over to a living family member.

Can I Transfer Car Title to a Family Member If I Fall Into One of the 3 Categories?

2.1 I Lost My Title

If you lost or misplaced your car title, you'd have to request a replacement or a duplicate title before you can transfer it to a family member. Luckily, online car title service providers can quickly process car title replacements for you. All you have to do is to place an order on their site, provide the required information and, pay the fees, and the duplicate title will be shipped to your address.

2.2 There Are Multiple Names on the Car Title

In situations where you have someone else's name (a spouse, for example) on the title, you both must agree to the title transfer. Once you obtain the other person's consent, you can jointly sign over the car's ownership to the beneficiary. If the car title indicates the joint ownership with an 'or,' you can sign on the car title transfer alone.

2.3 The Car Is Still on Loan

If the car you intend to transfer was purchased with auto financing, and still has unpaid installment loans, you should contact your bank or lender. They will provide you with details on how you can transfer the title.

You can either pay off the loan or have the beneficiary of the car title transfer take over the loan repayment. If you choose to pay off the loan, ensure the lienholder's name is removed from the car title and the lien release signed before you can transfer the title.

Steps on How to Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member.

Your family members are children, parents, grandparents, siblings, uncles, aunts, in-laws, step-relatives, and half-siblings. Without a complete title transfer, the government will still consider the car you gifted to any family member as your car. If the intended recipient of the vehicle has a different last name from yours, you must provide proof that you are related.

Ensure you go through the terms of the transfer with the gifted family member. Make the recipient understand that he/she is going to be responsible for insurance, maintenance, and other costs. If taxes and fees are involved in the title transfer, you have to agree on who will pay for them.

With these details sorted out, you can then commence with the transfer.

Step 1. Fill out the car title

List your name as the seller and the family member receiving the car as the buyer. Write 'gift' in the vehicle price field and ensure you accurately state the odometer reading. Finally, with all the details completed, sign and date the title.

Step 2. Get the car insured.

Contact an insurance agent and supply them with all the relevant information. Some states may require you to take the vehicle to an inspection station to inspect the safety or test for emissions. Even if the car had already completed an inspection for the year, some states might demand another one at the point of title transfer.

Step 3. Submit documents

Confirm the exact documentary requirements for your state from the DMV. After supplying the documents and paying the title transfer fee, the DMV will issue a temporary registration to the beneficiary and send a new title in their name via mail. The new owner should get the title within two weeks. Upon receipt, they should check for errors and contact the vehicle registry if there is an error.

What Should I Hand to My DMV?

To complete the title transfer, you must visit your local DMV with some documents. These include:

• The completed title.
• The vehicle's registration card.
• Vehicle Insurance
• Valid identification
• Payment proof for transfer fee

Other additional documents which the DMV may require depending on the situation include:

• Statement of facts
• Affidavit of transfer without Probate

Do You Know: You Can Borrow Money With a Car Title?

Do you need urgent cash but are stuck with bad credit? At USBadCreditLoans, we specialize in finding loans for people with poor or no credit history. With a title loan, you can get up to $5,000. here's how:

1. Submit your personal information securely online and wait for an offer.

2. One panel of lenders will vet the information you provided and send appropriate offers.

3. Select a suitable offer and then sign an agreement.

4. Depending on the lender, the money will hit your account within 24 hours and, in some cases, may take up to 3 working days.

What Does a Recipient Need to Do After Receiving Car Title?

The family member who received ownership of the car title has to register the car in their name to enable them to use the vehicle legally on the roads. Most businesses that provide title transfer services also provide registration services. Ideally, you should order a registration alongside the car title transfer.