Title Transfer
16 articles in this category
How to title a kit car, replica, or custom-built vehicle
A vehicle built from a kit or from parts has no factory title. States issue a specially constructed or assembled title after an inspection, a receipt review, and a state-assigned VIN. Here is the process and how to sell one later.
Selling a car with two names on the title: 'and' versus 'or'
One small word printed between two names decides whether both owners must sign or either one can sign alone. Here is what the conjunction controls, how survivorship fits in, and what to do when a co-owner is unreachable.
Antique and classic vehicle registration requirements by state
Antique registration is its own class, with its own age threshold, its own plate, and real limits on how far and how often you may drive. Here is how the major states define it, and what changes for inspection, insurance, fees, and resale.
The Chain of Title: Why a Car's Full Ownership History Matters
A car's title is only as good as the unbroken record of owners behind it. Here is how the chain of title works, what breaks it, and why a clean history protects you.
Buying a Car With a Salvage or Rebuilt Title: What You Are Really Getting
Salvage and rebuilt titles are not the same thing. Here is what each brand means for safety, insurance, financing, resale, and your bill of sale.
How to Sign Over a Car Title to a Buyer
The car title is the legal proof of ownership, and signing it over the wrong way can stall a sale or leave you liable. This guide explains each field on the seller assignment, where notarization matters, and the mistakes that cause the most trouble.
The Car-Title Deadline That Ranges From 7 Days to 180: What Your State Really Gives You
We reviewed all 50 states and DC. The deadline to transfer a car title after a purchase runs from 7 days in Georgia to 180 in New York. The 30-day rule of thumb is wrong in more than 20 states.
When You Need a Vehicle Appraisal, and How to Get One
States, insurers, and lenders sometimes refuse to accept the price on a bill of sale. Here are the five situations that trigger an appraisal request and what the report has to show.
How to Read a Vehicle Title, Field by Field
A vehicle title packs a surprising amount of information into a single page. Here is what each field proves and the red flags that should make you pause before you sign.
A Signed Bill of Sale Does Not Prove You No Longer Own the Car. This Does.
You sold the car and both of you signed the bill of sale. In the eyes of your state, you may still be the owner of record, and still liable for tickets, tolls, and accidents. Here is what actually ends your ownership.
Where Do You Sign a Boat Title When You Sell It?
When you sell a boat, the title is the document that legally moves ownership, and there is a specific place on it where you sign. Sign in the wrong spot, or leave a field blank, and the transfer can stall for weeks. This guide explains exactly where the seller signs and what each field proves.
How Long Do You Have to Transfer a Car Title After Buying?
Every state puts a clock on transferring a title after you buy a car, and missing the deadline means late fees that climb the longer you wait. The window is shorter than most buyers assume, and a couple of common situations can quietly stop the clock before you even start.