Vehicle owners must finalize title transfers for cars in Minnesota on each occasion the ownership of a motor vehicle changes hands from one owner to another. The MN car title transfer procedure can be completed by submitting the necessary documents and fee payments to the Driver and Vehicle Services Division (DVS) of the state Department of Public Safety (DPS).

When meeting the title transfer requirements and applying for a new car title, motorists also have the option of registering their vehicle at the same. Get information on how to fill out transfer of title forms and when to complete a vehicle title transfer in MN by reading the sections outlined below.

What is a car title transfer in Minnesota?

To successfully complete the Minnesota title transfer for cars and avoid any delays and rejections, you are encouraged to learn more about the title transfer process and the function of your certificate of title. Completing the DVS transfer of car title process results in the passing of the vehicle ownership from one driver to another.

To finalize the MN auto title transfer, the division utilizes title certificates, which are official documents that serve as legal proofs of ownership. If you fail to transfer your car title, you will be unable to complete the car registration procedure.

If you are in the role of a seller, on the other hand, you will be required to complete the title transfer and submit a sale report to the division in order to avoid future liability for the vehicle.

When is a vehicle title transfer required in Minnesota?

The Minnesota vehicle title transfer procedure must be completed in instances when the vehicle ownership is passed from one legal entity to another, regardless of the nature of the ownership transfer.

While the most common situation when a car title transfer is necessary is after buying or selling a vehicle, you will also be required to finalize a title transfer for vehicles under other circumstances.

For example, you will have to complete the corresponding auto title transfer procedure if you have received the vehicle as a gift or by means of donation or inheritance. Learn more about the situations when MN title transfers for cars are mandatory by contacting a nearby deputy registrar office of the state DVS.

Information and Documents Necessary to Transfer a Title in Minnesota

In order to transfer a vehicle title in Minnesota, you will be required to meet the car title transfer requirements imposed by the division, such as paying the applicable costs and furnishing the necessary paperwork and information.

Note that the requirements to transfer your auto title may vary depending on your circumstances and the nature of the transfer of ownership. The standard MN car title transfers completed after buying or selling a motor vehicle, for instance, can be finalized with a properly assigned certificate of title containing the following information:

  • The seller’s full name and signature
  • The sale price and the date of sale
  • The buyer’s full name, date of birth, address and signature
  • An odometer disclosure statement, if required
  • A damage disclosure statement, if required

Note: If the title lists a lien, vehicle owners will also be required to furnish a lien release form, in addition to the signed-over title.

If you are completing the transfer of car title under circumstances different than those outlined above, you may need to meet different requirements. For example, if you are unable to complete the MN car title transfer due to a lost title and you are unable to obtain a replacement title certificate, you will be required to submit different documentation.

In such cases, you may have to furnish a combination of the following documents:

  • A title application.
  • bill of sale.
  • A statement of facts.
  • A statement of protection.
  • A vehicle registration.

You will also be required to submit a combination of the above paperwork instead of completing the standard title transfer for cars if you are transferring ownership of a vehicle that is not subject to the state titling regulations.

Steps for Performing a Transfer of Title in Minnesota

Since you cannot request a car title transfer online, to complete the process of transferring a vehicle title in Minnesota, you will be required to submit the paperwork and fee payments that apply to your current situation either by mail or in person.

To successfully transfer a car title by mail, you will have to include the necessary items in a mail-in package and send it to the DVS Central Office in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Transferring an auto title in MN in person, on the other hand, is a process that can be completed through any deputy registrar office in the state. After receiving your transfer of vehicle title application, the state DVS will confirm that you meet the MN title transfer requirements before forwarding a manufacturing request for a new title.

Getting a New Car Title Versus Title Transfers in Minnesota

Prior to applying for a new car title in Minnesota, vehicle owners need to learn the difference between getting a new car title and transferring a car title. The Division of Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) issues new titles to motorists who purchase a new motor vehicle or who have recently moved to Minnesota from another state.

New residents of Minnesota are required to order a new car title and complete the appropriate procedure within 60 days of their move to the state.

A title transfer, on the other hand, is the process of transferring the ownership of a motor vehicle from one person to another. For example, a transfer of title is usually required when purchasing or selling an already titled motor vehicle. Motorists will also need to complete a title transfer when getting a car as gift, as part of an inheritance or as a donation.

Car Title Transfer Fees in Minnesota

As off 2017, Minnesota no longer charges a separate fee for a title transfer. However, you will still need to pay a $10 filing fee for all titling transactions in the state.

You will also need to pay other small fees depending on the specific circumstances of your title transfer. For example, if you are transferring a car title with a lien, you will be required to pay a fee for each lien record on the title.

Additionally, if you choose to register your vehicle when completing the car title transfer, you will also be required to pay the corresponding registration fees. These fees vary depending on factors such as the vehicle type and the type of license plates you decide to order.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.