If you need to transfer vehicle ownership you may do so only at a motor vehicle agency this type of transaction cannot be handled through the mail. To ensure the proper transfer of documents and to avoid penalties, please follow these guidelines.
If you sold or bought a vehicle
The Seller must:
- Remove the plates and surrender them to a motor vehicle agency, unless the plates are being transferred to another vehicle (plates can be transferred to another vehicle, but not to another owner).
- Sign in the seller's section of the reverse side of the title and give it to the buyer, along with a bill of sale including the following information:
- Buyer's name and address;
- Date of sale;
- Mileage odometer reading (see below); and
- Sale price.
The Buyer must:
- Sign in the buyer's section on the reverse side of the title and insert their driver’s license or Entity Identification Number (EIN-formerly Corpcode).
- Visit a motor vehicle agency to transfer the title, complete the Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49) if applicable, and receive the license plates.
- What to bring to the agency if you need to title and register a vehicle that was:
Pre-owned in New Jersey
Pre-owned in another state that issues titles
Pre-owned in a state that does not issue titles
Pre-owned and purchased at an auction
- To avoid a $25 penalty, New Jersey or dealer reassigned titles must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale.
If you are presenting and signing title and/or application(s) for a non-dealer title or registration change of ownership transaction on behalf of someone else for whom you will be signing, you must present a General, Durable or Limited Power of Attorney (POA). The POA must be notarized and include:
- The Appointee/Attorney-in-Fact’s name and address.
- The Principal’s (person granting power of attorney) name, address, and signature
- A specification of what powers are being granted
- Limited POAs require reference to the specific vehicle: Year, Make, VIN and type of transaction being authorized
Business issued POAs must be on official letterhead.
Customers must also present their ID/License with the transaction.
If you are presenting title and/or application(s) for a non-dealer title or registration change of ownership transaction on behalf of someone else, where all required paperwork has been signed by the person you are representing, you may use a Power of Attorney as explained above or a General Letter of Authorization LOA-1.pdf (state.nj.us)
Transfer of title upon death of owner
A vehicle registered in the name of a decedent may be operated for 30 days after the date of death. All documents must be brought to a MVC Vehicle Center. Schedule an appointment prior to your visit.
If the title is in both the spouses' or domestic partners' names:
Submit the current title properly signed and completed by the surviving owner, a copy of the death certificate and a notarized Affidavit (Form BA-62)
- The $60 title fee will apply (the existing registration can be transferred to an immediate family member for an additional $4.50).
An individual whose motor vehicle is titled in New Jersey, may designate a beneficiary to receive ownership of a vehicle upon their death. The vehicle will not be considered part of the estate and therefore no letters of administration are required for transfer. The transfer does not take effect until the death of the owner, or death of last surviving owner if there are co-owners. The completed Transfer on Death Beneficiary Form is to be held by the vehicle owner and presented by the beneficiary, with the title, death certificate and Universal Title Application after the death of the owner. Liens noted on the decedent's title shall be paid before a new title is issuedunlessthe lien on the title is being transferred to the sole owner. Contact your lending institution for more information.
To transfer ownership to the estate/Individual (Owner dies with a will and there is no co-owner):
- When the title is going into the name of the estate apply for a Entity Identification Number (EIN – formerly CorpCode). Please note if the title is going into the name of an individual no EIN is needed.
- Once received, bring the EIN (when applicable), the old title signed and completed by the executor, the Surrogate's Short Certificate, and your driver’s license as proof of identification to a Vehicle Center.
- Pay the $60 title fee (or $85 for a financed vehicle title fee)
- In addition, a new registration and proof of New Jersey insurance in the estate name is necessary if the vehicle will be operated. The existing registration can be transferred to an immediate family member for $4.50.
If the title is in the deceased's name (no co-owner) and the owner dies without a will:
- Where there is a surviving spouse, domestic partner, or civil union partner and the estate does not exceed $50,000
- Present the current title along with an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner/Civil Union Partner, which must include the raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death. The current title properly signed and completed by the surviving spouse/domestic partner/civil union partner.
- Where there are heirs, but no surviving spouse, domestic partner or civil union partner and the estate does not exceed $20,000:
- Present the current title with an Affidavit of Next of Kin, which must include a raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death. The current title must be properly signed and completed by the Next of Kin.
- Where the estate is worth more than the amounts listed above:
- The title can be transferred to the surviving spouse, domestic partner, civil union partner, heir or buyer by presenting the current title properly assigned and executed by the Administrator of the estate, along with anAdministrator’s Short Certificate, which must include the raised seal of the County Surrogate, of the county where the decedent lived at the time of death.
The MVC accepts American Express® card, Visa® card, MasterCard®, Discover card®, check, money order or cash.
Other related information
- Odometer reading
You are required to provide an accurate odometer reading at the time of sale to show whether the vehicle has passed its mechanical limitations and is on a second or third cycle. If the actual odometer reading is inaccurate, the seller must give an estimate of what the actual reading should be. Download a copy of the Universal Title Application - Liens
Liens noted on the decedent's title shall be paid before a new title is issued unless the lien on the title is being transferred to the sole owner. Contact your lending institution for more information. - Sales Tax
A vehicle is only exempt from sales tax if the customer indicates on the purchase price line on the reverse side of the title that it is a gift. See more information on vehicle sales tax exemptions.
Related Links
Certified title search (request a copy)
Title correction
Duplicate title (lost, stolen or damaged)
Canceling a new car title
Satisfying a lien
Vehicle registration application records
Registration renewal/request duplicate
Vehicles purchased without an existing New Jersey title (Improper Evidence of Ownership Procedure)
Universal Title Application
