How To Transfer a Car Title in Virginia
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Did you move to Virginia, or recently buy or sell a car there?
Car title transfer solidifies the transfer of ownership of a car, and this is needed when you buy, sell, gift someone a car, or inherit a car.
You can transfer a car title in Virginia by
- completing an application for the title and registration form
- providing proof of address
- listing the purchase price
- marking the odometer reading
- including the bill of sale
- paying the necessary fees.
In some cases, you might need to present a certificate of buyer and manufacturer’s certificate of origin, depending on the circumstances surrounding your title transfer.
Here's a detailed guide on how to transfer a car title in Virginia.
Key Takeaways
- Transferring a car title in Virginia requires completing an application for title and registration, providing proof of address, purchase price, odometer reading, bill of sale, and paying the necessary fees.
- Title transfer cannot be done online in Virginia, you must complete it in person.
- Necessary documents for the transfer include the Application for Certificate of Title and Registration, proof of address, odometer reading, and, if applicable, a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin.
Table of Contents
Can You Transfer a Title Online in Virginia?
No, you cannot transfer a title online in Virginia. All title applications and registrations can be done in two ways, either via mail or in person. To transfer titles, you can send your applications to USPS or UPS.
If you are sending in your application via the US Postal Service, you should mail your title applications through:
Virginia DMV
Titling Department
P.O. Box 27412
Richmond, VA 23269
Applications via UPS and FedEx should be sent in through:
Virginia DMV
Titling Department
2300 West Broad St
Richmond, VA 23269
You will have to mail a check or money order of payment if you apply via mail. The Department of Motor Vehicles in Virginia does not accept credit card numbers via mail, and you should not send cash.
What Documents Do I Need To Transfer a Title in VA?
Here are the documents that you need to transfer a title in Virginia.
- Odometer Reading
- Bill of Sale or Vehicle Price certification
- Application for certificate of title and registration
- Proof of Address
- Manufacturer’s statement of origin
- Money Order that includes the required fees or tax
How To Transfer a Car Title in Virginia
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how you can transfer your car title and registration in Virginia:
1. Choose Your Preferred Titling Process
Decide whether to transfer the title via mail or to do it in person.
Both processes are greatly similar with just slight variations.
Note that you can apply for a physical or electronic title.
2. Gather All Necessary Documents
There are a lot of documents that you will need to submit including:
- A certificate of title with the reassignment and buyer’s certification, all completely filled and signed.
- Odometer statement
- Registration
- Insurance
- Tax queries
- Proof of address (utility bill that is dated within 2 months, a bank statement dated within the last 2 months, or a pay stub dated within the last 2 months.
- Bill of sale/ proof of purchase price
- The Application for Title and Registration, Form VSA 17A. The form will capture the following:
Your personal information
- Name
- Address
Vehicle information
- Make
- Model
- Year
- Fuel type
- GCWR
- GVWR
- Vehicle Identification Number
You will need to provide lien information, if applicable, but most importantly, the buyer must categorically state how the vehicle was sold to them: new, used, or as a demonstrator.
This includes citing the purchase date and sales price. If you bought your car from a dealer, they must input their license number and the manufacturer rebate or incentive.
3. Pay the Required Fees
After gathering the required documents, pay the required fees. Transferring a title in Virginia costs $15. You must also pay 4.15% sales tax. So, the fees to note include:
- Electric Vehicle Registration: $109
- Plate fees: $2
- Vehicle Registration: $30.75-35.75 (based on weight)
- Original Title: $15
- Sales tax: 4.15% of the sale price
4. Request an Odometer Reading
After paying the required fees and gathering all the necessary documents, request an odometer reading from the seller.
Include the odometer reading in the assignment section of the title, and as the buyer, you should also provide the same reading in the application for title and registration.
Odometer reading for out-of-state vehicles
For out-of-state titles and vehicles that do not have an assignment section in their titles, the seller should record the odometer reading in an odometer disclosure statement.
In the event that the out-of-state title has an exemption from odometer disclosure, then you don’t need to provide an odometer disclosure to transfer the title. Simply present the out-of-state title that indicates that there is an exemption.
5. Choose your preferred type of title
Lastly, decide whether you want an electronic or paper title.
A paper title will always be issued to you upon request at any time, at no extra cost, as long as it hasn’t been printed before.
Transferring Car Title in Virginia for Out-of-State Vehicles
The process of transferring car titles for out-of-state vehicles is almost the same with resident drivers. All you have to do is to attach any of the following documents to your application:
- Registration card or title from your previous state of residence
- The previous car owner’s (seller’s) out-of-state title signed over to you
- Ownership document from the US Armed Forces with your name boldly written on it as the owner.
- Proof of purchase
- Declared sale price
If you are submitting an out-of-state registration card, then it can not have an expiration date that is less than 12 months away.
Conclusion
Transferring a car title in Virginia is a very easy process. You simply need to ensure that you don’t make mistakes in the process.
Do not submit incorrect odometer readings or miss the readings entirely. Make sure that the signature of the buyer and seller is duly provided and that the sales price matches the bill of sale, don’t forget to get a lien release, if applicable.
Find out about the title transfer process in other states by reading our guides!
