by Armando Martinez
Transfer of Title and Plates
Title Transfers MUST be done at your local motor vehicle office. As a buyer, you may transfer the ownership of a motor vehicle at any of the nearly 200 deputy registrar offices located throughout the state. You will find office locations and hours online by clicking the link above or by calling (651) 297-2005.
All sellers must handprint their name and sign in the assignment area of the title. The seller must list the sales price of the vehicle in the sales tax declaration area on the back of the certificate of title. The seller must enter the date of sale and complete any disclosure statements that apply.
- Odometer Disclosure - Required for all vehicles except those that are ten years old or older, vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 16,000 pounds, or vehicles that are not self- propelled.
- Damage Disclosure - Required for all vehicles except those that are six years old or older, and commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of 26,000 pounds or more.
Seller should also complete and file a Report of Sale with the state to avoid future liability for citations and damages caused by the vehicle's operation after it has been sold. You may make a Report of Sale online.
All buyers must complete the assignment and application portions of the title as follows:
- Full name, date of birth and signature is required for all buyers.
- If there is more than one buyer, the new owners may indicate rights of survivorship by using the conjunction “OR” between their names.
- The first owner on the application must list his/her residential address. If the post office will only deliver to a post office box, the applicant must submit a written statement attesting to that with the transfer.
- Buyers must indicate whether the vehicle is subject to a security agreement (loan) and all buyers must sign the application area.
- For motorcycles, the buyer must write the engine number on the face of the title.
License Plate Transfer Process in Minnesota
In Minnesota, the license plates stay with the car, but you can keep personalized plates if you want to transfer them to your next vehicle. License plates issued to passenger automobiles are replaced at seven (7) year intervals; all other license plates are issued for the life of the vehicle.The buyer must obtain their new registration for the plates remaining on the car or obtain new plates if the prior plates are removed within 30 days of purchasing the car, though.
As a seller you will need to notify the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DPS-SVS) that you have sold your vehicle within 10 days of the date of sale. You may make a Report of Sale online or you can complete the “Record of Sale” stub attached to the vehicle title and mail it to the DPS-SVS. Filing the Record of Sale does not transfer ownership of the vehicle but once completed, liability for citations or damage caused by the operation of the vehicle after the sale will not rest with the seller.
Fees
Typical fees associated with title transfers and license plates in Minnesota vary depending on the type of vehicle and the type of plates you choose. Here are some of the fees you can expect to pay:
- Title Fee: $8.25
- For each lien recorded: $2
- Transfer tax: $10
- Public Safety Vehicle Fee: $3.50
- Tech Surcharge Fee $2.25
- Filing Fee: $11
- Sales Tax: 6.5% of purchase price
- Standard license plate fee: $6 per year
- Special plates (e.g. vanity plates): $100 initial fee, $10 per year renewal fee
- Tax-exempt plates: $0 initial fee, $6 per year renewal fee
- Disability plates: $0 initial fee, $0 renewal fee
For more information on Minnesota license plate fees click on the links to find the complete License Plates Fees Page and the Special Plate Brochure . For information on taxes applicable to your vehicle the state publishes Tax Manual documents and a list of forms that are available on the Motor Vehicle Forms and Documents page, including the Calendar Year Base Value Chart, monthly tax tables, miscellaneous tax table, and an annual fee in monthly increments table.
Conclusion
Understanding the title and license plate transfer process is an important part of buying or selling a car in Minnesota. Whether you are a buyer or seller , make sure you have all the necessary documents and payment before heading to your local DMV office. With this guide, you'll be on your way to getting your car on the road in no time. For more information visit https://onlineservices.dps.mn.gov/EServices/_/.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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