How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota
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Are you a Minnesota resident in the market for a new car? Or perhaps you're saying goodbye to your trusty vehicle and transferring ownership to a new owner? Either way, one thing is clear - understanding the intricacies of transferring a car title is essential to guarantee a seamless and legally sound transaction.
Title transfer is a crucial process that occurs when ownership of a vehicle changes hands in Minnesota, and it involves various steps, documentation, and fees that must be adhered to under the state's regulations.
But don't worry. Let’s delve into everything you need to know about how to transfer a car title in Minnesota. From providing necessary information to submitting relevant paperwork and paying required fees, we'll guide you through the process accurately and confidently, so you can navigate it efficiently and confidently.
So, if you're ready to take the next step in your car ownership journey, read on and discover the ins and outs of car title transfers in the Land of 10,000 Lakes!
Table of Contents
- Documents Needed To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota
- How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota If You're the Seller
- How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota if You're Buying from a Private Seller
- How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota if You're Buying from the Dealership
- How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota as a New Resident
- How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota if the Owner is Dead
- How To Complete Title Transfer Form in Minnesota
- Cost of Title Transfer in Minnesota
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
Documents Needed To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota
Things to do or provide include the following:
- The vehicle's title shall bear the seller's name prominently inscribed on the front, accompanied by your date of birth and signature.
- Ensure the VIN on the dashboard matches the one on the car title.
- If there are existing lien holders, a signed lien release card or a notarized lien release form must be provided.
- Proof of insurance coverage for the vehicle in question is also required.
- Payment for the requisite fees and applicable taxes must be rendered accordingly.
How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota If You're the Seller
As the vendor in a vehicle transaction within Minnesota, your obligations and accompanying paperwork differ significantly from those encountered when purchasing a vehicle.
In this capacity, it becomes paramount for you to furnish the following information on the vehicle title certificate:
- Imprinting your name clearly and legibly.
- Affixing your signature within the designated assignment area.
- Providing the precise date of sale.
- Indicating the sale price meticulously in the sales tax declaration segment of the title.
- Furnishing a valid and accurate odometer disclosure statement unless the vehicle exceeds ten years of age, weighs more than 16,000 pounds, or lacks self-propulsion capabilities.
- Presenting a damage disclosure if the vehicle is below six years old.
- Thoroughly completing and removing the relevant owner(s) Record of the Sale stub.
- It is also essential to report the sale of the vehicle to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (MN DVS) either in person or by mail. If the vehicle's title has been misplaced, you must apply for a duplicate vehicle title to initiate the transfer of ownership.
How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota if You're Buying from a Private Seller
As the purchaser of a vehicle from a private seller, it falls upon you to execute the intricate process of transferring the vehicle title.
In the state of Minnesota, this transfer of ownership is processed through the vehicle's certificate of title.
To proceed with the transfer, both you and the vehicle's seller are obligated to provide the following information on the title:
- Comprehensive buyer information, encompassing their full name and date of birth.
- Signatures of all vehicle buyers. If a loan encumbers the vehicle, all buyers need to sign the title and acknowledge the existence of the loan.
- If the vehicle title is being delivered to a P.O. Box by the postal service, you must furnish a letter stating this arrangement.
If the vehicle possesses a gross weight surpassing 10,000 pounds and is intended for commercial use, you must supply the USDOT (United States Department of Transportation) number.
Once the vehicle title in Minnesota has been diligently completed with the details mentioned above, you must promptly submit the vehicle title certificate and all applicable payments to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (MN DVS).
How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota if You're Buying from the Dealership
When you buy from the dealership, you may find solace in the fact that the onus of the title transfer process is typically alleviated, as the dealer typically assumes it.
Car dealers, by their trade, are mandated to undertake the requisite procedures for submitting essential vehicle title and registration documentation to the Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services on your behalf.
How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota as a New Resident
Upon your relocation to Minnesota, it is imperative to heed the timeframe of 60 days, within which you are obliged to register your vehicle and apply for a Minnesota vehicle title through the esteemed Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (MN DVS).
To accomplish the acquisition of a Minnesota vehicle title as a new resident, the following prerequisites must be met:
- Substantiating proof of ownership can be furnished in the form of the current vehicle title or your current registration document if the title is unavailable.
- Completion of the Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle (Form PS2000), whereby all vehicle owners must affix their signatures as a requisite.
- Inclusion of an accurate odometer reading on the application mentioned above.
- Provision of valid identification to authenticate your identity.
- Suppose your vehicle is subject to a lease agreement. In that case, it becomes necessary to present the leasing agreement or a power of attorney, accompanied by the leasing company's Minnesota tax identification number.
- Satisfactory payment covering all applicable Minnesota title transfer fees and applicable taxes.
Once you have gathered the documentation mentioned above and remitted the required payment, you can visit your local Minnesota Department of Vehicle Services (MN DVS) office, where you can confidently initiate the vehicle title transfer process.
How To Transfer a Car Title in Minnesota if the Owner is Dead
After the demise of a vehicle owner and you intend to retain possession, bestow as a gift, or engage in the sale of the vehicle, it becomes imperative to initiate the process of transferring the title of said vehicle.
As the surviving spouse, beneficiary, or joint owner, you have the legal authority to transfer the vehicle's title to another individual following the owner's passing.
However, before embarking on the Minnesota (M.N.) title transfer process, it is crucial to ascertain whether the vehicle is part of a probated estate.
The course of action you undertake to complete the title transfer process hinges upon whether the vehicle's title was solely held in the name of the deceased individual or if it was held in joint ownership.
In the case of sole ownership by the deceased, it is essential to determine if the estate is undergoing probate.
Probate will validate the legitimacy of the last will and testament of the deceased individual's property and ensure it is distributed according to their will.
The Probate Court also determines the appropriate course of action concerning the individual's belongings.
How To Complete Title Transfer Form in Minnesota
When completing the transfer of title form, it is imperative to accurately provide the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), odometer reading, sale price, and date, as these details are crucial for finalizing the forms.
To validate the authenticity of the sale, each individual listed as an owner on the original title must affix their signature and print their name accordingly.
Sellers are responsible for including the vehicle's sales price in the sales tax declaration located on the reverse side of the certificate of title.
Additionally, any relevant disclosure statements must be included. Odometer disclosure is mandatory for all vehicles under ten years old and weighing below 16,000 pounds.
For vehicles that are less than six years old, a damage disclosure statement is required. Commercial vehicles that weigh below 26,000 pounds also require a damage disclosure statement.
On the other hand, buyers must provide their complete name, date of birth, et cetera. The buyer must indicate whether the vehicle is subject to a loan and sign the designated application section.
Cost of Title Transfer in Minnesota
When transferring a vehicle title in Minnesota, several fees must be paid. They include title transfer fees, tax, public safety vehicles, and filing fees.
In Minnesota, here are the following fees:
1. Title Fee
Amounting to $8.25, with an additional $2 for each lien record associated with the vehicle.
2. Tax
Comprising 6.5 percent of the vehicle's purchase price unless the vehicle is exempt from sales tax or qualifies for in-lieu taxes.
3. Public Safety Vehicle Fee
Set at $3.50.
4. Filing Fee
Totaling $10.
Notably, vehicles older than ten years, with a purchase price and market value below $3,000, qualify for a $10 in-lieu tax.
On the other hand, vehicles registered under a collector class are eligible for a $150 in-lieu tax.
It is important to emphasize that the vehicle's registration tax must not expire when transferring ownership.
