Title transfer process
Missouri Title Transfer Process
- As the seller of a car, you will formalize the transaction when you transfer the ownership of the car by signing the title over to the buyer.
- As the buyer in a private car sale, you will become the legal owner of the car as soon as the seller transfers the title to you.
This is where the seller will sign over the title to the buyer. It is one of the single most important steps of the whole translation (along with the buyer paying for the car).
How to fill out the title transfer form?
Important Info for Signing a Missouri Car Title
- Only use blue or black ink. Any other color will void the title.
- Never erase anything or use white-out.
- Write neatly.
- Do not use nicknames.
- Any spelling mistakes make the document invalid.
Front of Title
The seller enters their name, state, county, city, zip code, and street address, as well as the car model, and date of sale in the rectangle shown in red, marked “1”.
1. The seller enters the exact odometer reading and signs and prints their name (never include tenths of a mile).
2. The buyer enters their signature and printed name.
3. The buyer enters the name and address of the lienholder to appear on the new title and the lien date (if applicable) in the teal rectangle marked “4”.
There, you’ve completed a Missouri transfer of ownership. Pretty easy, right?
Finalize Ownership Transfer with Missouri DOR
You will need to submit the following documents to your local MO DOR office:
- Completed Missouri Certificate of Title
- A signed application for Missouri title and license (Form DOR108)
- An identification number and odometer inspection certificate
- Emissions certificate
- Lien release (if applicable)
- Identification (driver’s license or other government issued ID)
- Proof of title payment ($8.50 title fee and $6 processing fee)
- Proof of sales tax payment (Missouri charges 4.225% state tax on car sales; individual cities and counties charge additional local sales tax)
To avoid any fees or penalties, make sure you are registering your new car right after transferring the title.
In the state of Missouri, you will have 30 days from the initial purchase to title the car and pay the sales tax. If you don’t title your car within those 30 days, you will pay a penalty of $25 on the 31st day. Every 30 days, the penalty increases by another $25.
Finalize ownership transfer with MVD
Finalize Ownership Transfer with MVD
You will need to submit the following documents to your local MVD office:
- An application for motor vehicle title and registration (form MV-608).
- Proof of ownership
- Bill of sale
- The transferred certificate of title
- Lien release (if applicable)
- Identification (driver’s license or other government ID)
- Payment for the 4.5% South Dakota car sales tax
To avoid any fees or penalties, make sure you register the car right after transferring the title.
Emission testing info
Perform Emissions Testing
Missouri Emissions and Smog Check Requirements
- St. Louis
- St. Charles
- Franklin
- Jefferson
All MO emissions inspection fees will include one free retest, as long as:
- You do the retest within 20 business days of your initial test
- You take your car to the same station where you did your initial emissions test
Emission Check Exemptions in Missouri
- Cars that are 10 model years old or newer
- Low-speed gasoline cars
- Cars made in the 1995 model year or older, and 1996 model year or older for the diesel cars
- Solar power, electric, hydrogen, or dual-fueled cars using fuels other than gasoline, diesel, E10 and E85
- Plug-in electric cars
Missouri bill of sale
Missouri Bill of Sale
Here are the necessary elements in a bill of sale:
- Your full name and signature
- The other party’s full name and signature
- Price of the car
- The make, model, and year of the car
- VIN
The whole transaction, the bill of sale included, can be completed in minutes when you meet for the test drive and approve the car. It’s easy and convenient. You won’t have to keep track of all the documents: you will always have the electronic bill of sale accessible in your PrivateAuto account to prove that the transaction was legitimate.
Transfer the title
Missouri Title Transfer Forms
- Your name and address
- The name and address of the previous vehicle owner
- The date of sale
- Car mileage, condition, and purchase price
- Odometer reading
Additionally, when you submit the form to the DOR, you’ll need to provide the following:
- Completed bill of sale (included in your PrivateAuto app)
- Completed Certificate of Title
- Government-issued photo ID
Missouri License Plates
In Missouri, license and registration fees are based on either taxable horsepower or vehicle weight.
Buy and Sell Cars in Missouri With PrivateAuto
Steps for Selling Your Vehicle through PrivateAuto
1. Gather necessary paperwork
2. Create your profile on PrivateAuto and get verified
3. List your car
4. Set your terms
5. Look through the incoming offers
6. Choose a buyer
7. Schedule a test drive
8. E-sign paperwork
9. Get paid, instantaneously
10. Perform a title transfer
11. Remove license plates
12. Cancel car insurance
Interested in Buying a Used Car in Missouri?
Missouri Title Transfer FAQ
How to transfer a title after a lease buyout?
After you have paid off the car loan, you will need to submit a lien release, notice of lien or authorization to add/remove a name from the title (Form DOR-4809) at your local Missouri Division of Revenue office.
How to transfer a car title when the owner is deceased?
When completing the application for Missouri title and license form, you can assign a beneficiary by name for the transfer of death. All you need to do is check the “transfer on death” box and fill out the name of the beneficiary.
If there is more than one individual named on the title certificate, you will also have to check the “tenants in common” box.
How to transfer a vehicle title when you have an out-of-state title?
If you own a car with an out-of-state title, you will need to begin a process of a cross-state car title transfer. In the state of Missouri, you will have 30 days to complete an out-of-state Missouri vehicle title transfer after establishing residency.
The following documents need to be submitted to your local MO DOR office:
– The out-of-state vehicle title certificate or a registration certificate if the vehicle title is unavailable
– A completed and signed Missouri vehicle title application
– A valid vehicle safety inspection certificate or an emissions inspection certificate (if required)
– Proof of a valid MO vehicle insurance policy
– A vehicle identification number (VIN) and odometer reading inspection document
Can you transfer ownership of a vehicle without a title in Missouri?
No, you will not be able to transfer ownership of a vehicle in Missouri without a title. Apply for a duplicate title (Form 2519), if you have proof of ownership of the vehicle.
How to request a duplicate vehicle title in Missouri?
If your car title is damaged, lost, or stolen, you can apply for a duplicate vehicle title online, by mail, or in person at your local DOR office.
To receive a duplicate Missouri vehicle title, you need to:
– Submit a completed and notarized application for Missouri title and license (check the box on the title application labeled “duplicate”)
– Provide a reason you are requesting a duplicate vehicle title
– If you can, provide the damaged vehicle title (if applicable)
– Provide a notarized notice of lien, lien release, or authorization to add/remove name from title (if applicable)
– Provide payment for all required car titling fee
You can apply for a duplicate title in person at your local MO DOR licensing office or by mailing it to the following address:
Missouri Department of Revenue
Motor Vehicle Bureau
301 West High Street
P.O. Box 100
Jefferson City, MO 65105
Should I remove my license plates when I sell a used car in MO?
Yes, the seller must remove the vehicle’s plates when selling a used car in Missouri. The buyer will need to apply to Missouri DOR for new license plates.
What is the safest method of payment when selling a MO car?
In most cases, the safest and fastest way to transfer money when selling a vehicle is cash. Until PrivateAuto Pay, that is. With PrivateAuto Pay, you can avoid the risks and hassle of other payment methods and transfer large sums of money instantly and securely.
Sellers and buyers can stay safe while exchanging large sums of cash: as they don’t have to share their contact or banking information during the vehicle buying process.
Brad Parker
Contributing Author
Brad Parker is the CEO and co-founder of PrivateAuto, where his dynamic entrepreneurial spirit and visionary leadership are driving the transformation of the automotive industry….