How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota
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South Dakota has over 1.2 million registered vehicles, each identified by a legal document called a vehicle title.
When a vehicle is sold and changes ownership, the title becomes the official document that verifies the transfer. The buyer and seller must follow specific procedures to ensure a correct transfer.
To handle motor vehicle titling and registration, you can visit your local county treasurer's office and complete a Motor Vehicle or Boat Title & Registration Application, which requires the signature of the record owner(s) or an authorized agent.
The vendor should provide you with a Bill of Sale alongside the title when selling an automobile.
In this article, we will be looking at how to transfer a car title in South Dakota!
Table of Contents
- What To Have in Mind When Signing the Car Title
- How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If You Buy From the Dealership
- How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If You Buy From a Private Seller
- How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If You're a New Resident
- Bill of Sale for South Dakota
- How To Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina If You're the Seller
- How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If It Is Inherited
- Cost of Car Title Transfer in South Dakota
- Best Car Deals by Category
- Frequently Asked Questions
What To Have in Mind When Signing the Car Title
Take note of the following when signing the title certificate:
- Utilize solely black or blue ink; any other hue renders the title null and void.
- Avoid erasing anything or using correction fluid.
- Ensure that your writing is legible.
- Refrain from using nicknames.
- Any errors may result in the document becoming invalid.
How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If You Buy From the Dealership
If you obtain a vehicle from a dealership in South Dakota, the dealership usually assumes responsibility for the vehicle titling and registration procedures on your behalf.
If the dealer does not assume responsibility for the necessary paperwork, you must undertake the mandatory steps.
It is essential to obtain from the dealer the following documents:
- The Manufacturer's Certification of Origin (MSO/MCO) or the original car title
- The completed price section on the Application for Cars Title and Registration
- Completed odometer disclosure section on the car title or MCO/MSO (for cars that are nine years old or less)
- A completed SD Salvage, Recovered Theft, and Uniform Damage Disclosure Statement, if applicable
Within 45 days of purchasing the vehicle, it is mandatory to submit the following to your county treasurer:
- All documents provided by the dealer
- The completed Application for Cars Title and Registration
- Payment for your car registration and titling fees, as well as excise tax
Submit the necessary paperwork and payments before the 45-day deadline to avoid penalties.
How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If You Buy From a Private Seller
After acquiring a vehicle from a private party, you must apply for a new title in your name within 45 days. The vehicle seller is required to:
- Provide you with an adequately signed-over car title (it should be signed over to you as the new car owner)
- Fill out completely the odometer disclosure section on the Application for Cars Title and Registration (Form MV-608). This form is required for vehicles that are nine years old or less.
- Fill out a Bill of Sale (Form MV-016) that encompasses the vehicle's brand, model, year, and color, the transaction date and price, and the signatures of both the purchaser and vendor.
Once you have obtained the necessary documents from the vehicle seller, you must visit your local South Dakota County treasurer and submit the following:
- All documents provided by the vehicle seller
- A completed Application for Cars Title and Registration
- Payment for all applicable car title fees and taxes, in addition to the fees for your vehicle registration.
Ensure you have the necessary paperwork and payment(s) to transfer the car title. Any missing documents will ensure the vehicle title transfer process in South Dakota is completed on time.
How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If You're a New Resident
After becoming a resident of South Dakota, you have 90 days to title your vehicle with the SD MVD.
You are required to visit the local county treasurer's office and perform the following steps:
- Fill out an Application for Motor Vehicle Title and Registration (Form MV-608)
- Complete the odometer disclosure section if your car is nine years old or less.
- Attach your current car title to your application.
- Pay the vehicle title fee, excise tax, and the fees associated with registering your vehicle. Ensure you have all necessary documents and payments to avoid penalties and delays.
Bill of Sale for South Dakota
A bill of sale in South Dakota is mandatory for title transfer and serves as an official transaction receipt. The following elements are present in a bill of sale:
- Your complete name and signature
- Full name of the other party and their notarized signature
- The price of the vehicle
- Description of the vehicle
- Vehicle make, model, and year
- Date of the transaction
- A disclaimer of warranty that indicates that the vehicle is sold as-is.
How To Transfer a Car Title in South Carolina If You're the Seller
To dispose of your vehicle in South Dakota, you must procure a seller's permit granting the buyer permission to extract the vehicle from your premises upon completing the sale.
This authorization can be obtained electronically or through personal attendance at the county treasurer's bureau. The permit is free and valid for 30 days.
As the seller, you are responsible for giving the buyer the following documents:
A vehicle title that has been appropriately assigned to the new owner
A Bill of Sale (Form MV-016) that lists the sale date, price, make, model, year, and both parties' information and signatures, as well as proof of lien release (if applicable)
The odometer disclosure completed on the Application for Cars Title and Registration (Form MV-608), if the vehicle is nine years old or less
Within 15 days of selling the vehicle, you must complete a Seller's Report of Sale (Form MV2200) and submit it to the county treasurer in South Dakota.
How To Transfer a Car Title in South Dakota If It Is Inherited
The procedures for transferring ownership of an inherited vehicle vary depending on whether the estate is probated.
The personal representative must complete the vehicle title transfer in a probated estate. The representative and the heir must provide the county treasurer with the following:
- The original car title certificate
- The representative's appointment papers
- The driver's license or/and social security number of the person acquiring ownership of the car
- A completed SD Salvage, Recorded Theft, and Uniform Damage Disclosure Statement, if applicable
- A completed SD Exemptions form (Form MV-609)
- Payment of all relevant car title transfer fees
Suppose the personal representative sells the car instead of transferring ownership to an heir. In that case, you are expected to comply with the procedures required for selling a car to a private party in South Dakota. Attach the appointment papers to the vehicle title.
Cost of Car Title Transfer in South Dakota
South Dakota imposes various fees for vehicle title transfer. The following are the essential fees you need to know when titling a vehicle in SD:
- Maximum late fee: $50 total
- Title transfer fee: $10
- Lien notations: $10
- Standard titling fee: $10
- Lien releases: Free
- Duplicate title: $10
- Late application fee: $1 per week after the 45-day grace period
- Excise tax is 4% of the vehicle's purchase price.
As a recent inhabitant of South Dakota, you are exempted from making additional payments for excise tax if the amount you already paid in your initial state equals or exceeds the state's 4% tax rate.
Yet, if the paid amount is lower than the abovementioned percentage, you must settle the remaining balance up to 4%. Proof of the excise or sales tax paid in your previous state is required.
