If you plan to trade in your old car to buy a new one or recently sold your current vehicle, you need to know how to sign over a car title. The reason being is once you sign over your car title, you can relinquish ownership of your vehicle and finalize your transaction.

What Is a Car Title?

 A car title is a legal document that verifies you own your vehicle. If you purchase a car outright, you receive a car title that contains information about your vehicle and confirms your ownership. Note that if you use financing to cover the cost of your car, your lender holds your title until you have paid your loan in full.

How to Get a Copy of a Car Title for Your Current Car

Your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) can provide you with a copy of your car title. Here is what you need to do to request a copy of your car title from your state's DMV:

1. Fill out an application.

You can usually access an online application to request your car title. Once you retrieve the application, you can complete it on the web or print it out and submit it via mail. Instead of an online application, you can also fill out a car title form at a local DMV branch.

2. Get the required documents.

If there was a lien on your car and you paid it off, you'll need to provide your DMV with documentation to verify it has been paid. Additionally, you may need to provide a valid driver's license and proof of insurance, based on where you live. To find out which documents you need, visit your state DMV's website, or reach out to a local branch.

3. Pay for your car title.

The fee that you'll need to pay for your car title ranges from $4 to $95. The car title fee amount and payment methods for this fee vary depending on the DMV's location, so you should contact your local DMV for more information.

4. Receive your title.

Some state DMVs can print your car title on the spot. In other instances, you'll need to wait up to four weeks before you receive your title. When in doubt about how to retrieve your car title, contact your local DMV. They will help you can gain the insights you need to help you get your title as quickly as possible.

How to Get a Copy of a Car Title for a New Car

If you make a cash purchase for a new car from a dealer, the dealer will forward your paperwork to your local DMV. Then, the DMV processes your paperwork, and you'll receive your title shortly after that.

How to Get a Copy of a Car Title for a Used Car

If you purchase a used car from a private seller, the seller will provide you with the car title upon purchase. The seller must have the car title in hand when you purchase the vehicle so he can sign the title over to you. When you receive the title for a used car, you must register it with your local DMV. At this point, you'll need to provide your DMV with:

• The car title, with verification that the used car has been signed over to you
• A bill of sale for your used car
• An odometer disclosure statement
• Lien information (this is necessary if you borrowed money to pay for your car)
• Lien release (this is necessary if a current title shows there was a lien against it from the previous owner)

After your car title paperwork has been filed with your local DMV and the associated fees have been paid, you'll receive a digital or paper version of your title.

How to Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member

The process of transferring a car title to a family member is virtually identical to the process of transferring the title of a used car to a new buyer. However, when a family member takes ownership of a car, he or she usually will not have to pay the vehicle’s sales tax. Family members who may have the sales tax waived when transferring a car title to them include grandchildren, siblings, or spouses.

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If you recently bought a car that requires repairs or maybe need to fix your vehicle before you sell it, Fix Auto can help. Our collision body and auto paint shops offer comprehensive assistance to car owners across the United States. To learn more, please contact us online or call us today at 1-800-INFO-FIX.   This blog post was contributed by Fix Auto Apple Valley a leading industry expert and collision repair shop servicing customers in Apple Valey, California, including San Bernardino County neighborhood.