Vehicle owners must complete the necessary title transfers for cars in Vermont when the possession of any given motor vehicle is transferred to a new owner. Note that when processing car title transfer requests, the state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) may also require the motorist to apply for a car registration for his or her newly purchased vehicle.

Review the VT title transfer requirements and find out when and where to initiate the vehicle title transfer transaction by reading the sections below.

What is a car title transfer in Vermont?

To ensure a successful auto title transfer in Vermont, you are encouraged to get more information on the DMV transfer of car title procedure. Transferring a car title in VT is a common transaction that must be completed for purposes of legalizing the ownership transfer of a certain vehicle in the department’s database.

The main document used to transfer a car title is an assigned certificate of title, since it links the old vehicle owner with the new vehicle owner and contains each party’s official signature. Failure to complete the title transfer for cars in VT will impede the car registration process.

When is a vehicle title transfer required in Vermont?

Finalizing the Vermont car title transfer is a mandatory step in several situations when the possession of the vehicle has been passed to another owner. The most common instance where you are required to initiate a transfer of vehicle title is after obtaining a new vehicle in a private sale.

However, transferring an auto title is also necessary under certain other unique circumstances. For instance, if you have received a vehicle as a gift or as part of a donation or inheritance, you must also perform a title transfer before proceeding with the registration procedure.

For further information regarding when to complete title transfers for cars in VT, contact the department or your local DMV office.

Note: To transfer ownership of a vehicle exempted from the state titling requirements, you will be required to use a bill of sale.

Information and Documents Necessary to Transfer a Title in Vermont

To finalize a title transfer for cars in Vermont, vehicle owners will be required to meet the applicable car title transfer requirements, which may vary depending on the nature of the passing of ownership. To transfer a vehicle title in VT after a private sale, for example, you will be required to meet the following documentation requirements:

  • The original certificate of title properly assigned to the new owner with the seller’s and the buyer’s names and signatures
  • A bill of sale and odometer disclosure statement, if required
  • A lien release form, if applicable
  • A completed title application
  • An official identification document, such as a driver’s license, if required

Note: Sellers with lost titles will first be required to complete the process to replace a car title before initiating the transfer of vehicle ownership.

If you are transferring an auto title in VT in certain unique situations, such as after inheriting a vehicle or receiving it as a gift, you will be required to submit additional paperwork.

For example, while you may need a certain tax exemption form to transfer a car title of a gifted vehicle, you will require a death certificate or a letter from a probate judge to successfully complete the VT transfer of car title of an inherited vehicle.

Steps for Performing a Transfer of Title in Vermont

If you are wondering, “How do you transfer a title on a car in Vermont?” note that you will be required to submit the necessary forms and payments in person through a nearby DMV location. Note that the option of completing a title transfer online is not currently offered by the department.

Also, ensure that you have collected all necessary items to transfer a vehicle title in VT prior to making your office visit in order to avoid a delayed or rejected application. The state DMV will process your request for a transfer of car title when the submitted forms and fee payments are approved. The department will issue you your new vehicle documents as soon as they are manufactured.

Getting a New Car Title Versus Title Transfers in Vermont

Prior to getting a new car title in Vermont, vehicle owners need to learn the difference between applying for a new vehicle title and transferring a car title between two persons. In order to order new car title in VT, motorists need to discover how to title and register their new vehicles and which requirements to satisfy.

The Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles (VT DMV) issues a new car title to motorists who have recently purchased a new motor vehicle or who have just moved to VT from another state. However, after purchasing a used motor vehicle, motorists will need to provide the existing title along with other documents in order to obtain a new title for car in their names.

Apart from applying for a Vermont DMV new title, motorists may be eligible to perform a title transfer procedure. Transferring a car title is a procedure that vehicle owners need to perform when the vehicle’s ownership rights are being transferred from one person to another.

For instance, title transfer is in most cases conducted after purchasing or selling a motor vehicle. Moreover, transferring a title may be also performed after inheriting, donating or receiving a vehicle as gift.

Car Title Transfer Fees in Vermont

Paying the applicable Vermont vehicle title transfer fees is the last step in the process of transferring a car title in the state. Note that the total cost of the VT title transfers for cars will include several types of fees, since the DMV titling procedure is often completed simultaneously with the registration procedure.

Therefore, in addition to the standard titling fee and the taxes on the vehicle value, you may also be required to pay the corresponding registration costs.

The standard registration fee is $15. Duplicate titles cost $35.

The registration fees payable when completing the car title transfer and registration procedures will vary based on factors like the vehicle type, the type of fuel it uses and the type of license plates you have ordered. Note that if you are adding a lien when transferring a car title in VT, you will have to pay an additional fee.

Last updated on Tuesday, March 10 2020.