How to transfer a car title in Utah
For private sellers and buyers in Utah. A dealer trade-in follows the dealer's own process.
To transfer a car title in Utah, the seller signs off on the title (no notary needed), fills in the date, price and mileage, hands it over, removes the plates and reports the car as sold to the DMV. The buyer completes the Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656) and pays the sales tax when titling the car.
What do the buyer and seller each do in Utah?
Seller
- Sign off on the title. If the title says AND between two names, both owners sign; with OR, one is enough.
- Fill in the purchase date, the price and, for a car less than twenty years old, the odometer reading.
- Give the buyer the signed title within 48 hours, with the current registration and emission certificates.
- Remove your license plates unless they are sold with the car.
- Report the car as sold to DMV.
Buyer
- Check the VIN on the title matches the car, and that the seller and any lienholder signed.
- Get a signed bill of sale: DMV uses it for the sales tax.
- Fill out the Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656), at the DMV or ahead of time.
- Pay the sales tax when you title and register the car.
If you're not sure what you need, check with the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles before you go: dmv.utah.gov
How do I sign over a car title in Utah?
Step 1 · Seller
Sign off on the title.
No notary is needed. If the title joins two owners with AND, both sign.
dmv.utah.gov checkedStep 2 · Seller
Fill in the date, price and mileage.
The odometer section is needed for a car less than twenty years old.
dmv.utah.gov checkedStep 3 · Seller
Write up a bill of sale.
Names and addresses, your signature, the VIN, the price and any trade-in. You can use DMV's Bill of Sale (TC-843).
TC-843 · Bill of Saledmv.utah.gov checkedStep 4 · Seller
Give the buyer the title and remove your plates.
Hand over the signed title within 48 hours, with the registration and emission certificates. Keep your plates unless you sold them with the car.
dmv.utah.gov checkedStep 5 · Seller
Report the car as sold.
Online in the Motor Vehicle Portal, by mail, or by phone.
dmv.utah.gov checked
The Utah Division of Motor Vehicles asks for a bill of sale when a car is sold. dmv.utah.gov checked
Utah bill of saleHow do I put a car title in my name in Utah?
Step 1 · Buyer
Check the title before you pay.
The VIN must match the car, and the seller and any lienholder must have signed.
dmv.utah.gov checkedStep 2 · Buyer
Fill out the title application.
Use the Application for Utah Title and Registration (TC-656). Every owner on it brings government-issued ID.
TC-656 · Application for Utah Title and Registrationdmv.utah.gov checkedStep 3 · Buyer
Title the car at DMV or online.
At a DMV office, or online with Utah Person to Person. You pay the title fee and the sales tax. Without a signed bill of sale, DMV figures the tax on fair market value.
dmv.utah.gov checked
After DMV processes your papers, it issues the new title in the new owner's name.
Utah guides
How much does a title transfer cost in Utah?
| Fee | Amount | Who pays | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New title fee | $6 | Buyer | dmv.utah.gov Checked |
| Sales tax (local rate where you register the car) | The local sales tax rate where you register the car, on the purchase price | Buyer | dmv.utah.gov Checked |
| Total of required fees, before tax | $6 |
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 Utah State Tax Commission.
Special cases
- Giving a car as a giftNot confirmed yet Gift steps for Utah are being checked.
- Lost titleUse the Application for Utah Duplicate Title (TC-123).
- The owner diedThe steps depend on the estate and who the title names.
There is a lien on the title
If a lienholder is printed on the title, it must sign to release the lien. dmv.utah.gov checked
Common questions
Does a Utah title need to be notarized?
No. The DMV says no notary is needed to sign off on a title.
dmv.utah.gov checked
How soon must the seller hand over the title?
Within forty-eight hours of the sale, the DMV says, as Utah law requires.
dmv.utah.gov checked
Does the seller keep the license plates?
Yes, unless the plates are sold with the car. Remove them, or you may be liable for tickets while they stay on it.
dmv.utah.gov checked
How much is the title fee in Utah?
$6 for a new title, plus sales tax and registration fees.
dmv.utah.gov checked
How is sales tax figured on a private sale?
On the net price on a signed bill of sale. Without one, the DMV uses the car's fair market value.
dmv.utah.gov checked
Sources for this page
- dmv.utah.gov/other-services-overview/
buying-selling/ Checkedresponsibilities/ - dmv.utah.gov/other-services-overview/
what-documents/ Checked - dmv.utah.gov/register/
registration-taxes-fees/ Checked - dmv.utah.gov/register/
registration-taxes-fees/ Checkedsummary-of-common-fees/ - dmv.utah.gov/titles-overview/
transfer-utah-title/ Checked
About this page
This page summarizes official Utah sources in plain English. Car Title Steps is not a government website, is not connected to the Utah Division 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.