How to Transfer a Car Title in Utah

Streamline the car sales process by learning how to transfer a title correctly. Buying or selling a car in Utah requires you to transfer the title. Explore the steps required to sign off ownership or receive a title in your name.

Many states require you to sign over a title at a Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) location. You can also follow the Utah person-to-person online title transfer process in Utah.

To start, be sure you have a valid original or duplicate title. You may need to replace a lost title before beginning this process. All you need to do is follow these steps:

The online process makes the title transfer process more convenient if the sale is between private parties. As a seller, you'll still need to either go to a DMV location to turn in the documents or mail them to the Utah State Tax Commission at one of the following addresses:

Utah State Tax Commission
Motor Vehicle Division
P.O. Box 30412
Salt Lake City, UT 84130
For express delivery, send your ownership documents to this address:

Utah State Tax Commission
Motor Vehicle Division
210 North 1950 West
Salt Lake City, UT 84116
eServices make it convenient to wrap up the sale process. Combine online title transfer services with a technology-driven, self-service solution to streamline the listing, negotiating, funds transfer, and sales processes.

What ownership documents and applications do you need to transfer a title in Utah? Start with the certificate of title. This must be the original title or a valid duplicate title issued by the state of Utah.

The certificate of title should include or come with the following information:

An odometer disclosure statement helps you avoid odometer fraud. Odometer fraud occurs when a seller intentionally disables or rolls back an odometer to make a vehicle look like it's been driven less and is in better condition than it really is. You can still purchase a car with a damaged odometer, but be especially cautious and ensure the odometer disclosure statement is filled out correctly.

A lien release form is only required if a loan or other lien on the vehicle. This shows that the original lender is aware of the transaction and agrees to it, typically due to the loan being paid in full at the time of the transfer.

You also need to fill out the vehicle application form from the state of Utah. You can find this form online or at a nearby DMV location. This application asks for the new owner's information, like driver's license number and address. It also requires specific vehicle information, like make, model, year, odometer reading, and license plate type.

Failure to fill this form out can delay you buying or selling a car. When working with a private party, it's up to both the buyer and seller to make sure the information is correct. If you're the seller, consider going to the DMV or filling out the online form together to ensure you're no longer the vehicle's legal owner.

Utah requires safety inspections for many vehicles before you can transfer a title. Since 2018, the only vehicles that require a safety inspection fit one or more of the following categories:

While a safety inspection isn't required for many vehicles, it's still good to inspect a car yourself if you're buying one from a private party. Schedule a trip to a mechanic for a pre-purchase inspection. This inspection shows you any safety, major mechanical, or routine maintenance issues with your vehicle.

Several counties in Utah also have emission inspection requirements. Plan on scheduling an emissions test if you're transferring ownership of a vehicle in the following counties:

In these counties, most vehicles that were manufactured after 1968 but over six years old are required to pass an emissions test once every two years. Check with your specific county on the requirements and test fees. Typical emission inspection fees are between $20 and $30, but some counties don't set limits on fees.

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