New Jersey Vehicle Title Transfer Checklist
New Jersey title transfers must be completed in person at a Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) agency. The buyer has 10 working days from the date of sale to file the title transfer; missing this window results in a $25 penalty. The seller is required by NJ law to provide a bill of sale to the buyer including the buyer's name and address, sale date, odometer reading, and sale price. New Jersey charges 6.625% sales tax on the purchase price plus the standard $60 title fee (or $85 for a title with a lien). New Jersey plates stay with the vehicle in private-party sales — the buyer keeps the existing plates and re-registers under their name. Notarization is not required for standard transfers (only for Power of Attorney transactions).
Quick answer
To complete a title transfer in New Jersey, contact the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. You have 10 days to complete the filing.
Key facts
- State
- New Jersey
- Agency
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
- Process
- Title Transfer
- Notary required
- No
- Bill of sale
- Yes
- Odometer disclosure
- Yes
- Filing deadline
- 10 days
- Last verified
- 2026-05-21
- Official source
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission ↗
Quick reference
Notary required?
✗NoBill of sale?
✓YesOdometer disclosure?
✓YesInspection required?
✗No⏱ Important Deadlines
- 10-day deadline: Buyer must transfer the title at a NJ MVC agency within 10 working days of the date of sale10 working days, not calendar days.Official source ↗
- 10-day deadline: $25 late fee applies after 10 working daysSingle flat-rate penalty added to the title application fee.Official source ↗
Seller Checklist
Items the seller typically needs to prepare or provide.
Buyer Checklist
Items the buyer typically needs to prepare or provide.
Required Forms
Fees
Title fee (no lien)
Standard title fee with no lien on the vehicle.
Title fee (with lien)
Applied when there is a lien on the new title.
Sales tax
NJ state sales tax on the purchase price. Local taxes do not apply.
Late title transfer penalty
Added when the title is transferred more than 10 working days after the date of sale.
Registration fee
Annual registration. Newer/heavier vehicles have higher fees.
Special requirements
New Jersey does not require notarization for standard private-party title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient. Notarization is only required when a Power of Attorney is used.
A bill of sale is required by NJ law. It must include the buyer's name and address, date of sale, odometer reading, and sale price. Use the buyer's own format or a printable NJ MVC template.
Required by federal law for vehicles less than 20 model-years old. Completed on the back of the NJ title and on the bill of sale.
Sellers are not required to provide an inspection certificate at the time of sale. NJ uses a biennial inspection cycle, and the buyer inherits the vehicle's current inspection status. The buyer should confirm the inspection sticker is current before driving.
Step-by-step process
- 1Confirm the seller is the titled owner of record on the front of the NJ title.
- 2Check the title for liens — outstanding liens must be released before transfer.
- 3Seller signs the back of the title in the seller's section and completes the odometer disclosure.
- 4Seller prepares a bill of sale with buyer's name/address, date, odometer reading, and sale price (NJ law).
- 5Buyer obtains NJ auto insurance from a NJ-licensed insurer.
- 6Buyer makes an appointment at an MVC agency (appointments are required for many transactions).
- 7Buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, photo ID, proof of NJ insurance, and payment to the MVC agency within 10 working days.
- 8Buyer pays the title fee ($60 with no lien, $85 with a lien) + 6.625% sales tax + annual registration fee.
- 9MVC issues new registration; new title arrives by mail in approximately 2 weeks.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Missing the 10-working-day deadline — $25 late penalty applies.
- ✗Not getting a bill of sale from the seller — NJ law requires it with specific fields filled in.
- ✗Removing NJ plates before the sale — NJ plates stay with the vehicle in private-party sales (unlike most states).
- ✗Going to MVC without an appointment — many MVC agencies require an appointment for title transactions.
- ✗Trying to do an online title transfer — NJ requires in-person filing for title transfers.
- ✗Buying without NJ insurance — buyer cannot complete registration without NJ-based liability insurance.
- ✗Confusing 'working days' with calendar days for the 10-day deadline.
Official links
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in New Jersey?
NJ's title fee is $60 (no lien) or $85 (with a lien). On top of that, the buyer pays 6.625% sales tax on the purchase price and the annual registration fee (varies by vehicle weight, typically $35.50–$84). Total out-of-pocket for a typical private-party transfer is roughly $100 to several hundred dollars depending on price.
Does a New Jersey title transfer need to be notarized?
No. New Jersey does not require notarization for standard private-party title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title is sufficient. Notarization is only required when a Power of Attorney is being used (e.g. if one party cannot attend the transfer in person).
What if I miss the 10-working-day deadline in New Jersey?
NJ adds a $25 late penalty to the title application fee. The penalty is a flat fee added once, not a daily or compounding charge. Beyond the penalty, driving an unregistered vehicle in NJ can result in citations.
Do plates stay with the seller or the car in New Jersey?
Unlike most states, NJ plates stay with the vehicle in private-party sales. The seller leaves the plates on the car, and the buyer keeps the existing plates and re-registers under their name. The buyer can choose to surrender the existing plates and request new plates at the MVC if they prefer.
Can I transfer a New Jersey title online?
No. NJ requires in-person filing at an MVC agency for title transfers. Many MVC agencies require an appointment for title transactions — check the NJ MVC website to book before going in.
I moved to New Jersey from another state — what do I do?
New NJ residents must title and register the vehicle within 60 days of becoming a NJ resident. Bring the out-of-state title, the buyer's bill of sale or purchase documents (if recently purchased), proof of NJ insurance, photo ID, and payment for the title fee, sales tax (if applicable), and annual registration. The vehicle must also pass a NJ state inspection within the required window after registration.
Other New Jersey vehicle tasks
Title Transfer in other states
Compare all 50 states →Tools and resources
Last reviewed: 2026-05-21 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice