How to Transfer a Car Title in Oklahoma?

A legal document used to establish ownership of a car is called a certificate of title. When buying or selling a used car in Oklahoma, transferring the title is the single most important step of the whole car-buying process (along with the buyer paying for the car, of course).

Quick links:

Oklahoma title transfer process

How to fill out the title certificate form?

How to finalize with the Oklahoma MVC?

Is a bill of sale required in Oklahoma?

Title transfer fees in Oklahoma

Is emissions testing required in OK?

Do I need to get new license plates in OK?

All car title transfers must be legal and secure, particularly when dealing with private car sales.

If you’re not in Oklahoma or want more general title transfer advice, read our title transfer guide. It provides links to each state so that you can learn how to transfer a title successfully in your state.

Oklahoma Vehicle Title Transfer Process

A car title transfer establishes the buyer of the vehicle as the new owner. There are only two simple phases to a title transfer:

Seller and buyer meet in person. The buyer pays the seller for the car. Both fill out the physical certificate of title and sign. The buyer is now the legal vehicle owner of the purchased vehicle.
The buyer registers the newly-bought vehicle and formally translates the title to their name with the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).

The first step (the seller and buyer meeting) is the most important. The second step is just a necessary formality.

As the car seller, you will formalize the transaction when you transfer ownership of the car by signing the title over to the buyer. You’ll take off your license plates and finally be done with the car.

As the buyer, you become the legal owner as soon as the seller transfers the title to your name. You will finalize with the Oklahoma MVC to get title and registration in your name. You’ll also get new Oklahoma license plates and vehicle insurance.

Sign the Title Correctly

When signing the certificate of title, always keep the following in mind.

Only use black or blue ink. Any other color will void the title.
Do not erase anything or use white-out.
Write neatly.
Do not use nicknames.
Any mistakes will void the document.

Front of Title

The front of the title has sections for the seller (red), notary (green), and buyer (teal). The procedure for completing the front of an Oklahoma title is outlined below.

In the red rectangle marked “1” the seller enters the buyer's name, address, and the car purchase price.
The seller enters the exact odometer reading and signs and prints their name in the red field.
In the green field marked “3” the notary enters the required information.
The buyer signs and prints their name in the teal-colored rectangle.

Back of the Title

The back of an Oklahoma title has a section for the lien holder.

In order for the lien holder's information to appear on the new title and the lien date (if applicable), the buyer must enter their name, address, city, state, and zip code.

Congrats! You’ve completed an Oklahoma vehicle title transfer. Pretty easy, right?

Complete the Transfer with Oklahoma MVC

You've completed the transaction and are the proud owner of a vehicle. You still have work to do. In order to complete the title transfer with the State of Oklahoma, there are still steps you must take. You also need to apply for new license plates and register the car with the Oklahoma Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)

You will need to submit the following paperwork and payments to your local MVC office:

The application for Oklahoma certificate of title for a vehicle
Current registration information
Proof of liability insurance
A completed odometer disclosure statement
A bill of sale or declaration of vehicle purchase
Payment for the vehicle titling fee and all other applicable fees

To avoid paying a late fee or penalties, make sure you register the car right after transferring your vehicle title.

Oklahoma Bill of Sale

Oklahoma requires a bill of sale be completed by the buyer and seller in a private-party vehicle transaction. Plus, a bill of sale is a good idea anyway, since it provides legal protection for both parties. The document proves that the purchase price, vehicle mileage, and other salient facts were approved by seller and buyer, and that the transaction occurred with mutual consent.

Here are the necessary elements in a bill of sale:

Your full name and notarized signature
The other party’s full name and notarized signature
Price of the car
The make, model, and year of the car
A description of the car
A warranty disclaimer stating the car is being sold as-is
Date of the transaction

We include an Oklahoma bill of sale as part of our standard in-app transaction process. You and the seller will be asked to e-sign the bill of sale in the seller's mobile PrivateAuto app at the right time during the transaction.

The whole deal, including the bill of sale, can be done in a few minutes when you meet to test drive the car and agree to buy it. It’s very fast and convenient. You won't have to keep track of all your paperwork; you will always have the electronic bill of sale accessible in your PrivateAuto account to prove that the transaction was legitimate.

To understand more about this important document, read our article that explains all about the bill of sale and why everyone should embrace it.

Title Transfer Fees in Oklahoma

The standard fees for vehicle titling in Oklahoma are as follows:

Standard vehicle title: $11
Vehicle ownership transfer fee: $17
Certificate of ownership: $4
Notice of transfer filing fee: $10
Vehicle Identification Number inspection: $4
Insurance verification fee: $1.50
Duplicate vehicle title fee: $11

If you’ve purchased a vehicle in Oklahoma, you will be subject to Oklahoma vehicle sales tax, which is 4.5% of your vehicle's purchase price.

Perform Emissions Testing

Emissions testing is not necessary in order to complete a title transfer in Oklahoma.

Oklahoma License Plates

Different states have different requirements for dealing with license plates in a private-party used vehicle sale. Some states allow the license plates to remain with the car when sold. Unfortunately, Oklahoma requires you to take off the license plates. The Oklahoma license plate cost is included in the registration fee of $96.

Sell and Buy a Car in Oklahoma With PrivateAuto

Complete the sales process easily and legally with the help of PrivateAuto. This platform uses technology to help you find verified buyers and sellers, sign documents online, and find out what steps you need to take in your state to finish the sale. See how it works today to buy and sell vehicles privately in Oklahoma.

12 Easy Steps for Selling Your Car through PrivateAuto

PrivateAuto makes selling used cars hassle-free. The sales process consists of a few simple steps:

Gather the necessary paperwork
Create a PrivateAuto account and get verified
List your car
Set your terms
Go over the incoming offers
Choose a buyer
Schedule a test drive
E-sign documents
Get paid instantaneously
Transfer of ownership
Remove the license plates
Cancel your current car insurance

Interested in Purchasing a Used Car in Oklahoma?

PrivateAuto makes buying a used car in Oklahoma fast and simple. Whether you’re looking for Teslas, Jeep Grand Cherokees, Ford F150 Raptor, or Volkswagen Jettas, you’re sure to find a great deal on the ride of your dreams.

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Avoid scams, keep personal information private, and guarantee funds with PrivateAuto. Fast, convenient car transactions. Get started today.

Oklahoma Vehicle Title Transfer FAQ

How to transfer an out-of-state title?

If you’re transferring an out-of-state title in Oklahoma, you will have to provide the following to your local MVC office:

A completed Oklahoma vehicle registration application
Proof of identification (real ID or valid driver's license)
The original out-of-state title transfer form
Proof of Oklahoma vehicle insurance policy

How to request a duplicate title in Oklahoma?

If you've lost or broken your car's title, you'll need to ask your local MVC office for a replacement by sending in the following:

Your notarized signature
Your vehicle’s VIN
Current registration
Payment for the duplicate vehicle title fee of $11

Should I remove my license plates when I sell a used car in Oklahoma?

Yes, the seller must take off the license plates when selling a used vehicle in Oklahoma. The buyer gets new license plates when registering the vehicle.

What is the safest method of payment when selling an Oklahoma car?

Until PrivateAuto, cash was one of the best car payment methods. You can avoid the risks and inconvenience of dealing with large amounts of cash by using PrivateAuto Pay. Payments of up to $1M transfer instantly from seller to buyer, 24/7/365.

By receiving your money through our integrated banking system, both sellers and buyers can stay safe while exchanging large sums of money, as they don’t have to share their contact or banking information during the car-buying process.

Transferring a vehicle title with a lien

Congrats! You paid off the car loan. In the state of Oklahoma, the lender will have 7 days to send you the lien release. The lien release will be listed in the Oklahoma MVC system, but you will need to mail it personally to the Oklahoma Tax Commission's office.

Mail it to the following address:

Oklahoma Tax Commission

P.O. Box 26800

Oklahoma City, OK 73126

How to transfer a vehicle title when the owner is deceased?

If the car owner is dead, you need the following documents to correctly transfer the deceased's vehicle title to your name:

Certificate of the vehicle title
The death certificate
Order from Probate Court to transfer the vehicle’s title
Completed odometer disclosure statement
Transfer fee

Where can I go to transfer a vehicle title in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, there are numerous MVC offices where you can transfer a vehicle's title. Here are a couple:

Department of Motor Vehicles

6225 NW 39th Expy

Bethany, OK 73008

(405) 495-5882

Department of Motor Vehicles

8479 NE 23rd St.

Spencer, OK 73141

(405) 427-2245

What are the registration renewal fees in Oklahoma?

Oklahoma charges the following registration renewal fees, depending on the year:

1st - 4th year: $96
5th - 8th year: $86
9th -12th year: $66
13th - 16th year: $46
17th year +: $26