If you have a vehicle you’d like to give to a family member, you have to legally change its ownership by transferring the title to them. You can transfer your vehicle ownership to a parent, spouse, sibling, grandchild, and even grandparents. The process is similar to when you’re buying or selling a car.
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Is only your name on the car title?
If only your name is on the vehicle title, then you can start your title transfer process right away. You can go to your local DMV branch or do it online with eTags. Just answer a few questions about the make and model, some contact info, and we’ll begin to work on your order. If your title has both your name and someone else’s such a spouse, then both will have to agree to do a family transfer and sign over the ownership to the family member. If the car title has an “or,” then only one person needs to sign.
The recipient of a family title transfer typically doesn’t have to pay sales tax on the car
Do you have a lien (loan) you’re still paying off?
You may also still have a lien on it, due to financing. At that point, you’d have to contact the bank or other financial institution to get details about transferring the title. You may have to pay off the loan or have your family member take responsibility for the lien. If you’ve paid off the loan, the lienholder has to be removed from the vehicle title. Then the lien release is signed and you can transfer the title.
SEE ALSO: 4 STEPS TO GIFTING A CAR
A title can also be called a pink slip or certificate of title
Is your title lost?
If you misplaced your car title, or it got lost or stolen, you can order a title replacement before doing the family transfer. eTags offers duplicate titles online to replace the one you don’t have anymore. Then you can move forward with a family title transfer.
Finally, transfer the title to a family member!
Fill in the title and sign in the right spots, and complete a title transfer application. Depending on where you live, you may have to provide details about the VIN number of the vehicle, odometer provisions, car insurance info and such.
A title replacement is also known as a duplicate title
Don’t forget registration
Once the family transfer is done, your spouse, sibling, parent or whomever received ownership, has to register the vehicle in their name for it to be legal on public roads. Car registration can also be done online with eTags, should you need assistance. In fact, you can order a title transfer and registration at the same time.
Other forms needed
There are additional forms for various states that are needed in unique cases, such as a statement of facts in California. In New York State, the transfer section has to be notarized if your proof of vehicle ownership is from Alaska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and other states. In Florida, a limited power of attorney can be given to someone to handle title transfers with form HMSV 82053.
70 comments
Hello everyone! I would appreciate some guidance if you can. From Texas.
I am a high risk driver and can not get insurance. (I was in back to back at fault accidents) Me and my fiancé want to keep my car but put it under his name so he can get insurance on it and then be able to drive it so we don’t need to sell it and it’s useful. How can we put the car in his name (transfer title) as well as put the lien in his name. (We are paying it off)
Does anyone know if it’s possible to get car insurance on my car, in his name, for him to drive it without having to transfer title and lie?
We are 25 years old and on our own so we don’t have parents or Family to help guide us or share alternative options. Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks for Reading!
Hey there, eTags doesnt operate in Texas yet. But if you have a lien on your car meaning a car loan you’re still paying off, then the title of the car isn’t yours. You do not own the car, the car loan/bank company does so you can’t transfer ownership.
Hello,
My father gave me a pop-up camper but has since gone to a nursing home. How am I able to transfer the title to my name without having him present?
As long as the title was signed over to you, you can apply for a title transfer and registration. You just need the title, since you’re the one tranferring not your father.
My boyfriend pays the insurance on two vehicles that are in my name only. Will this give him any rights to the vehicles?
I live in South Carolina. I would like to transfer title and ownership to my son in Kentucky. I have the title, no lien. How do I do this? Will he have to pay taxes once transfer of ownership. Thanks
My daughter is in the early stages of a divorce. The title has a $3000 lien still on the car and her name is the only one on the title. Both her and her husband are on the registration. What steps does she need to take to transfer the title to his name and remove her from the registration?
This depends on the state you live in.In most states, it would be a title transfer.
I have an car I’d like to give my granddaughter. She is not read to drive yet (no license or insurance yet). She is only 14. Would it be legal to transfer ownership to her or should I wait until she’s 18.
Hello. You can technically transfer the ownership to her but since he has no license at 14, she won’t be able to register and operate the vehicle on public roadways.
Hi there,
I drive a car that is under my dads name and he lives in Ohio. I am 25 and still on his auto insurance. I just moved to Florida and now need to transfer the title to my name, get auto insurance, and register the car to Florida. What would be the best way to do this? I would like to do this without having my dad come to Florida to transfer the title in person. Also, I have the physical copy of the title with his name on it with no loans associated. Thanks!
Hello there,
No need to have your dad come all the way here! We can help facilitate this online! You already have the title. All you need now is Florida insurance and your driver’s license. Then place an order on our website and we can transfer it online! You’ll need to get a FL VIN inspection but we’ll send you the form for that! I’ll reach out to you directly to see if you have any questions or need help!
My brother wants to put his grandsons name on his boat title so when he dies it’s legally his grandsons. His grandson is a minor. Can he do that?
Technically, a title only proves ownership and so anyone’s name can be put on the title. (This doesn’t give the titled owner permission to operate the vehicle/vessel on public roadways/waterways. Only a registration can do that)
Hello, so my grandma had this car (which is fully owned and payed off) and she gave it to my father to pass it on to me, she is under the title right now but she and the car is in new jersey and i live in pennsylvania, what’s the first steps i should be taking into transferring everything under me, also the car doesn’t have any insurance, no registration, nj plates, also would i need her to come with me to an auto tag place even if my father is going with me and him and her have the same last name? sorry for the many questions, this is my first car !
Hello! Congrats on your first car! Your grandma needs to sign the title over to you and give it to you. Then you need to seek out auto insurance. Once you have insurance and the title, you’ll need to head over to a local PennDOT office and request to transfer the title and register the vehicle. You’ll need your driver’s license as well.I hope this helps you start the process of getting your car on the road!
My husband and I are both on the car title. We want it transferred to my name only. What do we need to do. We live in FL.
You must transfer the title so your husband’s name can be removed. You can keep the same license plate. Just go to eTags.com and choose service type: Bought a Car or Got One as Gift. On the application, you need to indicate that you’re removing an owner, and that you also has a plate to transfer.
So I owned a car (in my name only) that my fiancé and I traded in for a new one (in both of our names, to make the trade in process easier). We also want to transfer her car to me. So I gave up my old car, I get her old car, she got a new car. Help!
The dealer transferred my old plates to her new car, is that correct? Once we transfer her old car to me are we good? This seems complicated.
We live in Indiana.
Hi Adam. Unfortunately, we don’t operate in Indiana just yet so the advice is limited. However, it sounds like everything happened as it should have. When she transfers her old car to you, depending on the laws in Indiana, you may need a new plate. Otherwise, it seems above board!
My husband signed title over to me, would I have to pay to put under my name? And what documentation do I have to take?
Hello! If the vehicle was gifted, this exempts you from paying sales tax on the vehicle. If you and your husband live in the same household and share the address on your licenses, you can transfer his plate to you which will save you the initial registration fee of $225. You’ll still be required to pay the DMV fees for transfer ($85.75) and registration (TBD).
My wife went to the dealership in 2022 and paid cash for my new Durango. The dealership put both of our names on the title because I was avoiding the pandemic and she went and picked it up. We want to get her name off the title because she has a 2022 Subaru and the Durango is mine. How do we do this in South Carolina?
eTags doesn’t operate in South Carolina, but typically to add or remove a name from a car title requires a title transfer. Essentially it’s like a sale. Essentially you become the buyer because you’re keeping it and she’s the seller. Check out the SC DMV for more details.
Hi, so when I bought my truck I didn’t have the best credit yet so my mom co-signed and I guess now both of us are on the title and all the registration comes under her name. How would I switch it so I’m the one who gets the registration. Also if I were to sell my truck in the future would she have to be there?
Hi Jesse,
The only way to remove your mom from the title and registration if the car is still being financed is to refinance the vehicle in your name only. I would advise you to go back to the dealership or contact your lienholder and see if you qualify for the loan under the same terms on your own now. If so, refinance in your name only and this will remove your mother from the paperwork. If she remains on the title and registration, you’ll need her signature to sell the vehicle once it’s paid off. Hope this helps!
I signed my title to my wife cause I have no driver’s license. And we are separating what can I do to get my car back
Hi Justin,
If your wife transferred the title to her name, she’ll need to sign it back over to you. Once signed over, you can transfer the title back to you. Place an order here! http://www.etags.com
I sold my husband’s truck to a mother and her son. The credit union loan is only in the mother’s name. Whose name should be on the title when I transfer it (the mothers or sons)? We are going to DMV this Monday so please respond asap. Thank you
Hi Mary,
If the loan is under the mother’s name then legally, her name will go on the title. Wait to sign anything until you get to DMV, to avoid any mistakes. I hope this helps!
If I transfer the car to my wife do I have to pay for new plates?
Hi Joe! This depends on what state you live in! In Florida, you’ll be able to keep your plate as long as you’re related (spouse) and live in the same household. In Ohio, you’ll need a new plate and registration. I shot you a quick email to go over this more in-depth! I hope this helps!
My son AND I are on the title of the car he’s driving. I want off the title but we can’t find him or the car. What can I do?
Hello there,
Unfortunately, if your names are separated by “and” on the title OR if the title reads both of your names with no delimiter, then you’ll need his signature on the title to remove yours.
Hey , I’m In Chicago, IL And My 81 Year Old Auntie Wants To Give Me Her Car . She Wants To Know If We Would Still Have To Pay For A Transfer Or How Will That Work ??
Hi there! Congratulations on your new car! Yes, you’ll have to pay the title transfer fees which are usually around $155 in IL in addition to any registration fees if you wish to get your car on the road.
My husband bought a new car a month ago under his company name and has a loan on it. Can the car be registration be transferred to me but he still
Is responsible for the loan?
Hi,
Thank you for your question. Unfortunately, no. In order to change any information regarding the vehicle, it’ll have to go through the bank that financed him. They’ll have to add you as a co-owner. Then your name will appear on the registration as well. I hope this helps!
I bought a vechile 4 months ago from my sis. Istill havent receieved the title or bill of sale i trusted he. I actually bought the car from her boyfriend but he had my sis to go on register the car in her name now she is the owner. I didnt sell it to her it was her boyfriend. Is this a title jump or do i need a attorney. I paid cash
Thank you for your question. I’m sorry that you’re going through this. It’s always recommended to get a title and bill of sale from any purchase. Especially made through a private sale for cash. Since the title was signed over to your sister, she’s technically the legal owner now. You might have a hard time proving that you bought the car. I’d advise that you seek legal help.
My husband wants to put car in my name we are in California will it be a fee
The short answer is yes! You’ll pay a title transfer fee with California however you’ll avoid paying any additional sales tax since it’s a family transfer. I hope this helps!
Hi, in georgia can my wife gift my sister a car? or would she need to gift it to me first, then I gift to her to appease the MV-16 paperwork? Are in-laws considered immediate family?
Hi Trevor,
Thank you for your comment. Unfortunately, eTags doesn’t operate in Georgia just yet but check out this link that might provide some insight regarding your question! I hope this helps!
My name and x boyfriends name is on my car title with the word “and”. I am giving him the car back. Can i just sign over the title to him without it being notarized in Louisiana?
Hi there,
Unfortunately, the section on the back of the title for notarization is for the seller. You’ll need to sign before a notary before giving the title/vehicle back.
My husband lost his drivers license. He only has his motorcycle still registered in his name and my son wants to buy it. Can we keep it in my husbands name and retain title while my son is paying it off with no repercussions to my son . Wisconsin
Hey there, eTags doesn’t operate in Wisconsin. Typically, he who holds the title owns it. As long as your son is registered and insured, it shouldn’t be an issue. But we recommend you double-check with your local DMV.
Do I need the person who is transferring the title to be with me at the dmv or can I just go alone.
If its signed over to you then you don’t need the person. you can also do a title transfer online with eTags
My mother wants to transfer the title to me (Im her son) do I need to have a car bill sales or is there a minimum I have to pay for car bill even she’s just giving it to me and no money involved or I dont need to worry about that?
Hello there, pls re-send your question with the state you’re in
My elderly parents live with my RN daughter in Dothan. They want me to have their truck. The truck is registered in AND located in south Mississippi…we live in the North Georgia mountains. Is there any possibility that once hubby and I retrieve the vehicle and drive it home to Georgia, with my parent’s permission, could I sign the title or do I need her explicit signature. That is, am I going to need to drive to Dothan, AL to get her to sign the actual title even if she gives me a “p.p.” authority.
eTags offers out of state title transfers online in seven states but Georgia isn’t one of them. This DMV page may help!
I bought my son an rv to live in and he never put the title in his name. He no longer lives in it and I need to sell it. He can’t find the title so what do we do? Can he find the rv VIN # and go Online to Etags to transfer the rv title into my name? If so, where can we find the RV VIN #?
Hello there, pls resend your question with the state where you want to title the RV
My sister gave me a car but she never registered it in her name, what do I do now?
Well if she gave you the car, she had to have signed over the title to you. You’ll need a title transfer and registration. Getting a registration is making sure that you can drive it on the roads. The title establishes ownership. You’ll need to have FL insurance as well. You can do the paperwork online
Would like to transfer my car title to my grandson he’s 11 years old but I’m getting ready to die
if you’re in Fl, CA, MD, PA, NY, CT, OH, then you can do a title transfer online and upload a few documents to get started/Start here and select your state: https://www.etags.com/app/us?utm_source=blog_quation
I live in Pa. and want to give my older car (it has Pa. plates) to my daughter who lives in Ohio.
Can I sign the title over to her at my local notary? What about the plates? Can she drive it back to Ohio and then get new plates for it?
Thanks
In Ohio, it’s not possible to transfer plates unless they’re already under your name and you just want to switch vehicles. So, you can sign the PA title over to daughter and complete an Out of State Title Transfer with eTags or with the Ohio BMV. You’ll also need to request NEW Ohio Plates and Registration. In order to take the vehicle to Ohio to complete these transactions, the only way is to go to the Penndot (PA DMV) and request temporary plates to drive to Ohio.
How do I get my sons name off my car title? I moved from Georgia to Missouri to live with my son he took my title to get it changed from Ga to Ms when he did this he added his name to my title without me knowing it . I recently moved back to Ga I want his name removed what will I need to do? It now has My name the letters TOD then his name ?
eTags doesn’t operate in MS or GA, but this article should help you understand the overall process:
https://www.etags.com/blog/how-to-remove-a-name-from-a-vehicle-title/
Is there any way to do a spouse titlectransfer without a notary in NC. its my car but my husband had me put it in his name.now hes dragging me through a divorve and the dmv isnt letting me renew my expired tags and plates without the title in my name and hes refusing to see me in person just to make my life difficult. Any answers you have would be awesome!
etags doesnt operate in NC, perhaps you can find an online notary or title transfer online provider that has their own notaries
Me and my daughter are co -owners of a vehicle , we have paid off the loan and have the title. I want to take myself off and leave it only in her name. How to do this ?
You’ll need a title transfer which will allow you to remove your name as well as give ownership to your daughter. Your daughter will also have to register the vehicle. You can go online to do both, with eTags.
I am 86 and can no longer drive after surgery. I want to give my cat to my son. It is very hard got me to get out to a DMV OFFICE. Is there a way I can do that?
Hi there, you can apply for a title transfer online here even if it’s a gift. then he’ll register it under his name.