How To Transfer a Car Title in New Jersey

August 15, 2023

How to Transfer Car Title in New Jersey

Revving up for a move to the Garden State or already a proud resident?

If you're buying or selling a vehicle in New Jersey, it's essential to understand the ins and outs of a title transfer.

This crucial process ensures accurate paperwork and a smooth transfer of ownership. Remember that vehicle transfers must be done in person at a motor vehicle agency, so don't expect to mail it in.

Follow our guidelines for a seamless transfer and avoid any pesky penalties. We will guide you through the various steps involved in how to transfer a car title in New Jersey.

Things Needed To Transfer a Car Title in New Jersey Successfully

Specific essential requirements must be fulfilled to transfer a vehicle title following a purchase, sale, or gift within New Jersey.

It is imperative to provide the following mandatory documents and information when visiting the nearest New Jersey Department of Motor Vehicles (NJ DMV) office to facilitate the title transfer process:

  1. Valid signatures of both the buyer and seller.
  2. Accurate sale date.
  3. Comprehensive buyer's information.
  4. Precise odometer reading.
  5. Final purchase price.
  6. Surrender of license plates.

New Jersey Car Emission Requirements

As a general rule, New Jersey mandates vehicle biennial emissions inspection. However, new vehicles enjoy an extended timeframe and must only undergo inspection after five years.

Notable exceptions to this regulation encompass electric vehicles, motorcycles, and gas-powered cars manufactured before 1995 and weighing 8,500 pounds or less, among others.

How To Transfer a Car Title in New Jersey If You're a New Resident

After becoming a fresh inhabitant of New Jersey, transferring your out-of-state vehicle title to a New Jersey vehicle title is imperative.

You must promptly register your vehicle with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission within 60 days of establishing residency in this state.

Suppose you have relocated from a jurisdiction where vehicle titles are not obligatory for your particular vehicle type. In that case, you must fulfill additional New Jersey vehicle title transfer requirements.

How To Transfer a Car Title in New Jersey If You're the Seller

When engaging in the sale of a vehicle in New Jersey, specific paperwork must be diligently completed. To effectively transfer the vehicle's title as the seller, the following requirements must be met:

  1. Thoroughly fill out the backside of the vehicle's title, including:
    • Your signature
    • Buyer's pertinent information (name and address)
    • Precise date of the vehicle sale
    • Accurate odometer reading (an exact measurement is compulsory for all registered vehicles within the state of New Jersey; if the exact mileage is unknown, the estimation may be provided)
    • Stipulate the purchase price of the vehicle.
  1. Remove the license plates and either surrender them or initiate a transfer.
  2. Furnish the vehicle's buyer with the complete certificate of title.

How To Transfer a Car Title in New Jersey If You're the Buyer

When transferring a purchased vehicle's title in New Jersey, specific steps must be followed meticulously for a successful title transfer process.

If you procured the vehicle from a dealership, the dealership will handle the vehicle title transfer and registration paperwork. They will execute the necessary procedures on your behalf.

But if you procured the vehicle from a private seller, you must complete the title transfer and registration within ten business days. Please adhere to this timeline to avoid paying a $25 late fee.

To ensure a smooth vehicle title transfer for a privately purchased vehicle, it is essential to personally visit your local New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) office and present the following documents:

  1. The vehicle title, with the following particulars provided on the back:
    • Your signature
    • Your driver's license number
    • Valid proof of a New Jersey vehicle insurance policy
  1. Payment for the vehicle title transfer fee is $60 for a lien-free vehicle title or $85 for a vehicle title with an existing lien.
  2. Fulfillment of sales tax obligations unless the vehicle qualifies for exemption.

In New Jersey, the vehicle registration process coincides with the title transfer process. Suppose you have purchased a vehicle from a state where a vehicle title is not mandated.

In that case, you must furnish supplementary documentation to process the transfer of a New Jersey vehicle title successfully.

How To Transfer an Inherited Car Title in New Jersey

After inheriting a vehicle in New Jersey, it becomes obligatory to transfer the title of the vehicle following the demise of its owner.

The vehicle can be utilized for up to 30 days following the owner's death without an application for a title transfer.

However, if the vehicle currently bears a lien, contacting the lien holder is crucial and ascertaining whether the lien must be satisfied before transferring the title.

The vehicle title transfer process must be completed at your local New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office.

To transfer a vehicle's title and registration to a surviving spouse if the vehicle is titled in both names, the following documents must be submitted:

  1. The current title of the vehicle.
  2. A copy of the death certificate.
  3. An affidavit (Form BA-62) from the surviving spouse must be duly notarized.
  4. Payment for all applicable fees, including:
    • Vehicle title transfer fee: $60.
    • Vehicle registration transfer fee: $4.50.

If the intention is to transfer the vehicle's title and registration to an heir named explicitly in the descendant's will, the following documents must be provided:

  1. The current vehicle title properly assigned to the new owner by the executor.
  2. A Surrogate's Short Certificate.
  3. Payment for all applicable fees, including:
    • Vehicle title transfer fee: $60.
    • Vehicle registration transfer fee: $4.50 (if the new vehicle owner is an immediate family member. If the new owner is not an immediate family member, they will need to apply for the vehicle registration).

In most cases, paying sales tax on an inherited vehicle is not obligatory. However, if the vehicle is being transferred to the estate or in the absence of a will, different guidelines for vehicle title transfer apply, along with additional document requirements.

How To Transfer a Car Title in New Jersey with a Lien

In the case of possessing an out-of-state vehicle with an existing lien, where the vehicle's title is currently held by the lien holder, completing an NJ vehicle title transfer becomes necessary.

To accomplish a vehicle title transfer that involves a lien in New Jersey, please adhere to the following steps:

  1. Ensure that your lien holder possesses an NJ corporation code, as this code is a prerequisite for obtaining a New Jersey vehicle title transfer.
  2. Personally, visit your local New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC) office to obtain an application for vehicle title release.
  3. Complete the vehicle title release application and mail it to the lien holder for their verification.
  4. Once the lien holder confirms the authenticity of the documents, revisit your local NJ MVC branch in person to initiate the vehicle title transfer process and register your vehicle.

To successfully carry out the vehicle title transfer procedure in New Jersey, the following requirements must be fulfilled:

  1. A duly completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-UTA).
  2. Payment for the NJ vehicle title transfer fee amounting to $85.

When applying for a vehicle title at the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office, you must complete a sales tax form.

However, if you purchased the vehicle outside New Jersey while residing out of state, there is no obligation to pay taxes. The lien holder will receive the New Jersey vehicle title upon completion of the transfer process.

How To Get a Duplicate Car Transfer Title in New Jersey

If you misplaced or damaged your vehicle title, you can procure a duplicate one from your nearest New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission office. To accomplish this, you must submit the following documents:

  1. The Application for Duplicate Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-UTA).
  2. A valid registration or insurance document, such as:
    • A current or previous vehicle registration certificate.
    • Proof of a valid New Jersey vehicle insurance policy or a certified registration record.
  1. A statement from the lien holder, if applicable, including:
    • The vehicle owner's name.
    • The vehicle's VIN, make, and year.
    • A declaration confirming the absence of the original vehicle title and the satisfaction of the vehicle's loan.
  1. Payment of the NJ duplicate vehicle title fee amounting to $60.

You can submit your application and accompanying documents in person at your local New Jersey MVC office or by mail to the address provided on the form.

Cost of Title Transfer in New Jersey

In New Jersey, a transfer fee of $60 is mandated for the vehicle title transfer process. It is essential to note that additional fees and penalties may be applicable, contingent upon the circumstances.

If an active vehicle registration exists, you can transfer it for an extra fee of $4.50. However, it should be duly acknowledged that the overall cost of the vehicle title transfer is contingent upon various factors.

These factors include the origin of the vehicle's purchase (whether from a different state or through an auction).

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