Transferring your car title doesn’t necessarily mean the vehicle is changing hands. Changing any information on your title requires a title transfer.
Here are a few reasons why you may need to transfer your title in Missouri:
- You’re moving to Missouri.
- You’re buying or selling a vehicle.
- You’re removing a lien from a Missouri title.
- You’ve inherited, donated, or gifted a vehicle.
Now that the “whys” have been covered, we’ve got the “hows” covered in the section below.
Title Transfer Process for Missouri Residents
Title transfers can be as easy as mailing in the application and information required. You can also take the information to your local DMV, which makes sense if you plan on driving you vehicle now and need to register it as well.
Each reason for transferring the title will require a few different documents. Below we’ve listed what’s needed for each situation.
Moving to Missouri
Welcome! If you’ve recently moved to our lovely state, here are the documents you’ll need to transfer your car title:
- Out-of-state vehicle title
- Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108)
- Proof that you’ve obtained Missouri car insurance
- Statement of Non-Assessment from the assessor’s office where your new residence is
- Proof that a VIN and odometer inspection was performed by an authorized inspection station
- Proof that a safety and/or emissions inspection was performed by an authorized inspection station
- Payment for all fees for title transfers
Buying a Vehicle
If you’re selling a vehicle, you’ll need to provide the buyer with the title, proof of safety and/or emissions inspections, and a notarized notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title if the vehicle has a lien.
So, for buyers, here’s the entire list of what you’ll need to submit:
- Vehicle title signed by the seller
- Application for Missouri Title and License (Form DOR-108)
- Proof that you have obtained Missouri car insurance
- Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title that has been notarized (if required)
- Proof that a VIN and odometer inspection was performed by an authorized inspection station
- Proof that a safety and/or emissions inspection was performed by an authorized inspection station
- Odometer disclosure statement if vehicle is under 10 years old and weighs less than 16,000 pounds.
- Payment for all fees for title transfers
Release of a Lien on a Title
If you’ve paid off a loan that was taken out on your vehicle, you can now officially have the lien removed and put the title in your name.
You’ll need to submit a Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title (Form DOR-4809).
Inheriting a Vehicle
If the original owner did not assign a Transfer on Death Beneficiary, submit the following:
- Application for Missouri Title and License
- The vehicle’s title in the name of the deceased person that has been signed over to you by the administrator of the estate
- Original copy (or certified copy) of the Small Estate Certificate/Affidavit or the Letters of Administration (or Letters Testamentary if there is a will being probated)
- Payment for all fees for title transfers
Donated or Gifted Vehicles
Giving or donating a vehicle? After removing your license plate, here’s what you’ll need to give to the new owner:
- Title signed over to the person receiving the vehicle
- A written statement, or General Affidavit, declaring the transfer a gift.
- Proof that a safety and/or emissions inspection was performed by an authorized inspection station
- Notice of Lien, Lien Release, or Authorization to Add/Remove Name from Title that has been notarized (if required)
Again, there are many reasons why a title transfer may need to happen. If buying a car in Missouri is on your radar, Bryant Motors can help you find the new or used car of your dreams and answer any other questions you may have about title transfers.