car title with car keys and cash

Can You Transfer A Car Title To A Family Member?

A car title is valuable, especially in your name. When you have a lien-free car title in your name, you can use it to secure an online title loan. You may need to transfer the car title either to yourself or to a family member. The question remains: Can you transfer a car title to a family member?

Yes, you can transfer a car title to a family member, and Carolina Title Loans, Inc. will tell you how. Whether buying, selling, gifting, or donating a car between family members, it’s important to do your homework first to ensure a smooth process. This article will tell you where to go to transfer a car title between family members, how the process typically goes, and why doing so is a good idea.

Where Can You Go To Transfer A Car Title To A Family Member?

For starters, let’s talk about where you need to go to transfer a car title between family members. Simply put, each state has a dedicated office that handles car title transfers. That’s where you’ll need to go to get the necessary forms and information to complete the process.

In most cases, that office is your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office.

You can conveniently access all the required information on the official website of your state's DMV office. Make sure to take note of all the necessary documents and any applicable fees. These websites often provide downloadable forms, allowing you to complete them in advance before your visit to the local DMV branch.

The following are some items you ordinarily need for a car title transfer:

  • The vehicle title with the seller's signature on the transfer section
  • Proof of ownership for the vehicle
  • Valid ID for the seller and the buyer
  • Completed title transfer application
  • Payment for title transfer fees

Some states allow for family members to transfer their auto title online, but South Carolina is not one of those states. You must go to a local DMV office to process the car title transfer.

man transfers car title to family member

How Do You Transfer A Vehicle Title To A Family Member?

The exact process for transferring a car title to another family member will differ slightly depending on your location. Every state has its own specific guidelines for how to transfer an auto title. Consult the DMV office website you will be visiting to determine what the process is for you to transfer your auto title to a family member.

You can expect the process to involve three general steps, which are:

  1. The current owner will sign the car title to their family member
  2. The family member receiving the car title must take it to the DMV office and submit it along with any other required documents
  3. If all requirements are met, the office will produce a new car title in the family member’s name, which can take up to six weeks to complete

How Can Transferring A Car Title Benefit Family Members?

People are typically familiar with the idea of transferring car titles between a buyer and a seller. However, doing so can also be beneficial when done within the same family.

Here are four reasons family members can benefit from transferring a car title to each other:

1. Gifting A Car Title To A Family Member

A family member can transfer their car title as a gift to the other person. This sometimes happens for birthdays, anniversaries, or even as a present from a parent to a child.

Not only does the receiver get to drive the car, but transferring the title means giving them full ownership of the vehicle to do as they please.

2. Helping A Family Member By Transferring An Auto Title

Giving a car title to a family member can also be a form of assistance.

For example, a young family member might need a car to commute to their first job daily but can’t afford their own vehicle. As a result, a parent or older family member might choose to help by giving them their vehicle title.

Transferring the title to them makes things easier, as they’ll be the legal owner of that car.

3. Qualifying For Tax Exemptions

When selling a car title or transferring it to someone outside of your family, you will have to pay sales tax. However, that is not a concern when transferring it to someone in your family.

You do not have to pay sales tax for this car title transfer. If you have a new vehicle and want to give your old vehicle title to a family member, you will not have to worry about sales tax or other vehicle title sales fees.

4. Allowing A Family Member To Get A Car Title Loan

A family member could transfer their car title to another to help with their financial needs. For example, a family member might want to get a title loan to access emergency funds to pay for urgent expenses, like late bills, home repairs, and medical bills. They can’t do that unless they have a lien-free car title registered in their name.

Another family member could transfer their car title over, so they’ll qualify for a title loan. As a result, the recipient could qualify to borrow anywhere between $601 and $15,000 using that car title as collateral. The exact amount will depend on how much that car is actually worth, though only the title will be used as collateral.

After that family member goes through the process of getting that title loan, they could receive the money they need as quickly as the same day or by the next business day. Meanwhile, they can drive the car home and continue using it for their daily routines even if they are approved for a title loan.

How Can You Use Your Car Title To Secure Emergency Funds?

Whether you’re on the receiving end or you’re the one trying to transfer a car title to a family member, always remember to do your research first. Find out about documentation, processes, and timelines to ensure things go smoothly.

At Carolina Title Loans, Inc., we allow owners of lien-free car titles to receive fast cash through car title loans. You can qualify for a loan as long as you have the three easy required items: your driver’s license, the lien-free car title, and the vehicle for a quick inspection.

You can start the simple process online by filling out a title loan form. One of our friendly associates will contact you to walk you through the next steps. After meeting at a convenient location, they can verify your items, inspect your vehicle, and determine how much you qualify for. You can sign the loan documents and receive your title loan cash the same or the next business day.

family members transfer car title

Contact Carolina Title Loans, Inc. To Receive Fast Cash For Your Car Title!

Transferring an auto title to a family member can help them by providing legal ownership of a vehicle. The process of transferring a car title is simple, allowing you to gift your family member a car title without needing to pay sales tax.

Carolina Title Loans, Inc. has emergency cash available for those who own a lien-free car title. Submit the online inquiry form and hear from a representative soon to learn how to receive quick cash for financial emergencies.

Note: The content provided in this article is only for informational purposes, and you should contact your financial advisor about your specific financial situation.

June Mckaig

June Mckaig writes articles on finance and budgeting, hoping to provide insight amidst the overwhelming crowds of information on the internet. She feels that with all this accessibility comes a lot of false data, and she would like to contribute astute, helpful input that she knows can help others. If you would like to learn more about June's research, read more here.