Texas Vehicle Title Transfer Checklist
Transferring a vehicle title in Texas runs through your local county tax assessor-collector, not directly through TxDMV. The new owner must apply for a Texas Certificate of Title within 30 days of the date of sale using Form 130-U, accompanied by the signed title, proof of Texas liability insurance, photo ID, and payment for the title application fee plus 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax. Tax is calculated on the greater of the purchase price or the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) the state publishes for that vehicle, so paying below SPV does not lower the tax owed. Gift transfers between qualifying family members use the $10 gift tax in place of sales tax and require Form 14-317.
Quick answer
Texas title transfers are processed at the county tax assessor-collector's office, not at TxDMV. Submit Form 130-U, the signed title, proof of Texas insurance, and payment within 30 days of purchase. The title application fee is $33, plus 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the sale price or Standard Presumptive Value.
Key facts
- State
- Texas
- Agency
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
- Process
- Title Transfer
- Notary required
- No
- Bill of sale
- Conditional
- Odometer disclosure
- Yes
- Filing deadline
- 30 days
- Last verified
- 2026-05-21
- Official source
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles ↗
Key facts from official sources
Apply for new title at county tax office within 30 days of purchase or transfer.
TxDMV — Title Transfers ↗Form 130-U (Application for Texas Certificate of Title) is required.
TxDMV — Motorist Forms List ↗Motor vehicle sales tax is 6.25% of sale price or Standard Presumptive Value, whichever is higher.
TxDMV — Title Transfers ↗Title applications go to the county tax assessor-collector, not TxDMV.
TxDMV — Title Transfers ↗Notarization is not required for standard Texas title transfers.
TxDMV — Title Transfers ↗Quick reference
Notary required?
✗NoBill of sale?
◆ConditionalOdometer disclosure?
✓YesInspection required?
◆Conditional⏱ Important Deadlines
- 30-day deadline: Apply for the Texas title at the county tax assessor-collector within 30 days of the date of saleOfficial source ↗
- Delinquent transfer penalty after 30 daysTxDMV assesses a delinquent transfer penalty when the title application is filed more than 30 days after the sale. Exact penalty amount is set by statute (sourceNeeded — confirm with your county tax office).Official source ↗
- 30-day deadline: Sellers should file the Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form VTR-346) within 30 days of saleOptional but strongly recommended — removes seller liability for tolls, parking citations, and red-light camera violations after the sale.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 application fee
Paid at the county tax assessor-collector. County may add a small processing fee (sourceNeeded — varies by county).
Motor vehicle sales tax
Tax is calculated on the Standard Presumptive Value when the sale price is below SPV. New residents pay a $90 new-resident-use tax in place of sales tax if the vehicle was titled in their name in another state.
Gift tax (in lieu of sales tax)
Applies only to qualifying family gifts with Form 14-317. Outside that, sales tax applies.
Registration fee (concurrent)
Title transfer is normally completed alongside registration. Confirm current fee with your county tax office.
Special requirements
Notarization is not required for standard Texas title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title and on Form 130-U is sufficient.
Texas uses Form 130-U as the primary title application document; a separate bill of sale is not required by statute but is strongly recommended to document the sale price, date, and odometer reading, and helps if a dispute arises later.
Required by federal law for vehicles less than 10 years old (under 16,000 lbs). The disclosure is completed on the back of the title and also on Form 130-U.
Texas eliminated the statewide annual safety inspection for passenger vehicles starting January 1, 2025, but emissions testing is still required in 17 designated counties (the Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, and El Paso metro areas) for most non-commercial vehicles. Confirm whether your county requires emissions before transfer.
Step-by-step process
- 1Confirm the seller is the titled owner of record on the front of the Texas title — names must match exactly.
- 2Check the title for any liens — outstanding liens must be released by the lender before transfer.
- 3Seller signs the back of the title in the seller's signature section and completes the odometer disclosure.
- 4Seller and buyer complete Form 130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration) together — fill in vehicle info, both parties' info, sale price, and date.
- 5Seller gives the buyer the signed title and a copy of Form 130-U; seller also files VTR-346 online within 30 days.
- 6Buyer obtains Texas liability insurance in the buyer's name before visiting the county tax office.
- 7If the vehicle is in one of the 17 emissions counties, complete emissions testing first.
- 8Buyer takes Form 130-U, signed title, photo ID, proof of insurance, and payment to the county tax assessor-collector within 30 days.
- 9Buyer pays the $33 title fee and 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax (calculated on price or SPV, whichever is higher).
- 10TxDMV processes the application — the new title is typically mailed within ~20 business days.
Common mistakes to avoid
- ✗Submitting Form 130-U to a TxDMV regional office — title applications must go through the county tax assessor-collector, not TxDMV directly.
- ✗Missing the 30-day filing deadline — delinquent transfer penalties apply.
- ✗Paying sales tax on a below-SPV price — Texas calculates tax on the greater of price or SPV, so listing a low price does not reduce tax owed.
- ✗Seller skipping the VTR-346 Vehicle Transfer Notification — leaves the seller exposed to toll bills, parking tickets, and red-light camera violations until the buyer registers.
- ✗Using whiteout, scratch-outs, or corrections on the title — any alteration may void the title and require a corrected title before transfer.
- ✗Forgetting Form 14-317 on a family gift transfer — without it, the transfer is taxed at 6.25% instead of the $10 gift tax.
- ✗Buyer arriving at the tax office without Texas-based liability insurance — registration cannot complete without it.
- ✗Inherited-vehicle transfers attempted without Form VTR-262 when the deceased left no will — the county will reject the application.
Official links
Source verification
This page covers 5 researched claims about Texas title transfer:
Directly cited from official sources
Inferred — confirm with agency before acting
Researched from Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). Requirements can change — always verify with the official agency before submitting documents.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Texas?
The state title application fee is $33, paid to your county tax assessor-collector. On top of that, Texas charges 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on the greater of the sale price or the Standard Presumptive Value. A registration fee applies if you are registering at the same time (typically around $51 plus county fees — confirm current amount with your county). Gift transfers between qualifying family members pay $10 in place of sales tax when Form 14-317 is filed.
Does a Texas title transfer need to be notarized?
No. Texas does not require notarization for standard title transfers. The seller's signature on the back of the title and on Form 130-U is sufficient. Some counties may have additional documentation requirements for specific situations — call ahead if you are unsure.
What if I bought the car from a Texas dealer instead of a private seller?
Dealers file the title application on your behalf and add the title and registration fees to the purchase paperwork — you generally do not visit the county tax office yourself for a dealer purchase. Verify the dealer files within the 30-day window and request a copy of the temporary buyer's tag and Form 130-U paperwork.
I inherited a vehicle in Texas — how do I transfer the title?
If the deceased left a will, the executor handles the transfer through probate. If there is no will and the vehicle's value qualifies, the surviving heir may use Form VTR-262 (Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle) to transfer the title without probate. Bring the death certificate, the original title, VTR-262, Form 130-U, and your photo ID to the county tax office.
I moved to Texas with a car titled in another state — what do I need to do?
New Texas residents have 30 days to title and register the vehicle with their county tax assessor-collector. You will need the out-of-state title, Form 130-U, proof of Texas liability insurance, a VIN inspection (Form VTR-270 or equivalent at the county office), emissions test if you live in one of the 17 emissions counties, and payment of the title fee, $90 new resident use tax (instead of sales tax), and registration fee.
How long does Texas take to mail the new title?
TxDMV processes title applications in approximately 20 business days from the date your county tax office submits the paperwork. Your county may take additional time to forward documents to TxDMV. You can check title status online at TxDMV.gov using the vehicle's VIN.
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Last reviewed: 2026-05-21 · Reviewed by the Car Paperwork editorial team · Based on official Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) sources · Independent resource · Not legal advice