how to transfer a car title

How To Transfer The Title Of A Car

Transferring the title of a car is a pretty simple process. It is normally just a matter of providing the proper information and signing off on the title transfer at your local title transfer office. Depending on the specifics of your situation though, there might be specific regulations that you have to follow in addition to this.

Transfer The Title Of A Car 101

This guide will help you understand the basics of how to transfer a car title from one person to another.

Basic Car Title Transfers

It’s easy to transfer a car title from one person to another. Normally, the person who is selling their car will release their ownership over the car by signing the currently existing car title.

You might also need to provide additional information regarding the title transfer, depending on what state you are in. Depending on the state that you live in, this additional information might include things like the odometer reading on the car, the sale price, as well as the names and contact information of both the buyer and the seller.

If there are already two people whose names are on the car’s title, then both of those people will have to sign in order to release the title to the buyer. Some states also require you to get the signature of a notary in order to release the title to the buyer.

More Complicated Car Title Transfers

In most cases, transferring a car title from one person to another is a simple process. It is not always this easy, however.

For example, if you have a car loan or otherwise do not own the car outright, then the lender might be holding onto your car title. If you want to sell your car in a situation like this, you will also probably have to get a lender affidavit to satisfy your state’s transfer regulations.

This lets the loan lender know that the ownership of the car has been transferred to another person. However, some lenders will also require that you finish paying off the loan before you transfer the title to another person.

You also need to consider the fact that you are legally responsible for the car until the title is officially transferred to the buyer.

This is why it is best if you go to the title office along with the person buying your car. This is how you make sure that the buyer successfully transfers the title to their name, and you are no longer responsible for it.

That said, this is normally not the case if you are trading the car in to a dealership. Every state has their own rules and regulations, but the car dealership does not take the title in their name. Instead, they hang on to the title until they can transfer it to the person who buys the car next.

transfer the title of a car

What You Need To Transfer A Car Title

Every state has their own rules about how to transfer car titles from one person to another. Usually, these transfers will be done at your county’s title office, or through either the Motor Vehicle Division or the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

The specific items that you need to transfer your title depend on your specific location, but generally you need to bring these items:

  • The original bill of sale and the price of that sale
  • Any other relevant information about the vehicle
  • Money to pay any title transfer fees and/or sales tax on the sale of the car

Getting A Title Loan

One of the advantages that comes with having a car title transferred to your name is that you can now apply for South Carolina title loans with Carolina Title Loans, Inc. This is one option that you can consider if you need to get fast cash to pay for some sort of emergency expense.

Some of the advantages that come with applying for a title loan from Carolina Title Loans, Inc. include:

  • There is no store visit required, a store representative will meet you at a location that is convenient for you
  • You can have your cash quickly deposited into your account on the same day that you apply
  • You can keep your car while you are paying off the loan
  • You can apply regardless of whether you have good, bad, or nonexistent credit

If you are interested in applying for a title loan you just need to make sure that you have these basic materials with you when you apply:

  • Your driver’s license or another valid form of government issued photo ID
  • The lien-free title to your vehicle
  • Your vehicle to be inspected

Final Thoughts

These are the steps that you need to follow if you want to transfer the title of a car from one person to another. When you have a title transferred to your name, it also gives you the additional benefit of being able to apply for South Carolina title loans. Fill out our online inquiry form to get started!

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

Mason Roberts

Mason Roberts is a seasoned economics writer and blogger with a knack for breaking down and simply communicating the ever-changing world of finance. He is philosophically committed to the premise that financial knowledge equals financial freedom.