How to transfer a car title in Texas
For private sellers and buyers in Texas. A dealer trade-in follows the dealer's own process.
To transfer a car title in Texas, the seller signs the title and Form 130-U, and the buyer files both at the county tax office within 30 days of the sale. The seller should also file a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV within 30 days. TxDMV says processing takes at least 20 business days.
What do the buyer and seller each do in Texas?
Seller
- Give the buyer the signed title with the date of sale and the odometer reading.
- Sign Form 130-U with the sale price written in.
- File a Vehicle Transfer Notification with TxDMV.
- Keep a written record with the buyer's contact details, the date of sale and the VIN.
Buyer
- Get the signed title and the signed Form 130-U from the seller.
- Title the car in your name at the county tax office within 30 days.
- Pay the motor vehicle tax and the title fees when you title the car.
If you're not sure what you need, check with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before you go: txdmv.gov
How do I sign over a car title in Texas?
Step 1 · Seller
Sign the title over to the buyer.
Write the date of sale and the odometer reading on the title.
Step 2 · Seller
Sign Form 130-U with the buyer.
Write the sale price clearly on the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration.
Form 130-U · Application for Texas Title and/or RegistrationStep 3 · Seller
File a Vehicle Transfer Notification.
Filing within 30 days of the sale means you are not held responsible for the buyer's parking tickets and toll violations.
We have not confirmed whether Texas requires a bill of sale. Check with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before you sell.
Texas bill of saleHow do I put a car title in my name in Texas?
Step 1 · Buyer
Go to the county tax office with the seller, if you can.
Staff there can tell you if the title is correct and if it has salvage or legal issues before you apply.
Step 2 · Buyer
Bring the signed title and Form 130-U to the county tax office.
These two papers are what the county tax office needs to title the car in your name.
Form 130-U · Application for Texas Title and/or RegistrationStep 3 · Buyer
Apply within 30 days of the sale.
Late transfers can bring delinquent transfer penalties.
After TxDMV processes your papers, it issues the new title in the new owner's name. See Processing in the At a glance box for how long that takes.
Texas guides
- You're reading this guideSell or buy a carSteps to sell a car in Texas · Steps to buy a car in Texas
- Texas bill of saleWhat to include. No official form found
- Gifting a car in TexasGiving or getting a car with no money paid
- Replace a lost title in TexasCertified copy of title (Form VTR-34)
- Car title after a death in TexasThe steps depend on the estate and who the title names
Title transfer fees in Texas
We have not confirmed the Texas fee amounts yet. Ask the county tax office for the total before you go.
| Fee | Amount | Who pays | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | Not confirmed yet | Buyer | txdmv.gov Checked |
| Motor vehicle sales tax | Being checked | Buyer | comptroller.texas.gov Checked |
| Delinquent transfer penalty | Not confirmed yet | Buyer | txdmv.gov Checked |
| Total of required fees, before tax | Not confirmed yet |
Fees can change. Check the official page before you pay. Tax depends on the price and on who is buying. The tax rules are on the site of the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts.
Special cases
- Giving a car as a giftTexas has its own steps for gifts.
- Lost titleUse the Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34).
- The owner diedThe steps depend on the estate and who the title names.
There is a lien on the title
If there is a lien on the vehicle, the lienholder will receive the title. txdmv.gov checked
Common questions
How long do you have to transfer a car title in Texas?
The buyer has 30 days from the sale to title the car at the county tax office. TxDMV says late transfers can bring delinquent transfer penalties.
txdmv.gov checked
Do I need to tell TxDMV that I sold my car?
File a Vehicle Transfer Notification. TxDMV says filing within 30 days of the sale means you are not held responsible for the buyer's parking tickets and toll violations.
txdmv.gov checked
Do the buyer and seller have to go to the county tax office together?
TxDMV suggests going together if you can, so staff can check the title for errors, salvage or legal issues before the buyer applies.
txdmv.gov checked
What paperwork does a Texas seller give the buyer?
The signed title with the date of sale and the odometer reading, and Form 130-U signed with the sale price written in. TxDMV also tells sellers to keep a written record of the buyer's contact details, the date and the VIN.
txdmv.gov checked
Sources for this page
About this page
This page summarizes official Texas sources in plain English. Car Title Steps is not a government website, is not connected to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and does not file or prepare forms. Confirm each step with the agency before you sign, pay or mail anything. Found a mistake? Email mr@marcelruettgers.com.