How to Register a Title for a Car Bought in Minnesota

A certificate of title designates who owns a car in Minnesota.

If you buy a car in Minnesota, the title must be transferred into your name. If you buy from a dealer, the dealer will take care of the paperwork. If you buy from a private party, you will have to work together with the seller to transfer the title into your name. Minnesota has no special form for title transfers. Rather, the seller's certificate of title should be filled out and sent to the Minnesota Department of Driver and Vehicle Services to transfer the title.

Things You'll Need

• Certificate of title
• Check or money order
• Lien release form

Instructions

1. Obtain the seller's certificate of title and locate the assignment area. Sign it in the appropriate place and have the seller sign it. If there is more than one owner or more than one buyer (as in the case of joint tenancy ownership), all parties must sign.

2. Have the seller complete the date of sale, odometer reading and damage report sections of the certificate of title. Verify the odometer reading yourself before the seller signs this section. The odometer reading is not required if the car is at least 10 years old, and the damage report is not required if the car is at least six years old.

3. Obtain a notarized lien release or a lien release card from the holder of any lien on the car. If the car is not subject to a lien, this step is not necessary.

4. Complete the recorded owner(s) record of sale stub (part of the certificate of title) and have the seller sign it. The stub should be sent to Driver and Vehicle Services, 445 Minnesota St., Suite 168, St. Paul, Minnesota 55101.

5. Complete the application for title section of the certificate of title. You will need to supply your name, street address and date of birth.

6. Prepare a check or money order for $30 made payable to Driver and Vehicle Services.

7. Mail all of the foregoing documentation except for the record of sale stub to the Driver and Vehicle Services office location nearest the buyer's residence. You will receive your title in a few weeks. If you appear personally at the office before 4 p.m. on a weekday, you may receive same-day service.

Tips & Warnings

• The seller may file an online report of sale (see the Resources section for a link) instead of mailing in the record of sale stub.

• If the seller does not have adequate proof of ownership, he will have to complete an Application to Title/Register a Motor Vehicle (PS2000) form and assemble accompanying documentation to establish title.

References

• Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services: Transfer of Ownership

Resources

• The Unofficial DMV Guide: Title Transfers (every state)
• Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services: Online Report of Sale
• Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services: Office Locations