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).

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.

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

1. 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.
2. 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.

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

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.

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

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

1. 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?

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:


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

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:


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.

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


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.

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

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.

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.

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

1. Gather the necessary paperwork
2. Create a PrivateAuto account and get verified
3. List your car
4. Set your terms
5. Go over the incoming offers
6. Choose a buyer
7. Schedule a test drive
8. E-sign documents
9. Get paid instantaneously
10. Transfer of ownership
11. Remove the license plates
12. Cancel your current car insurance

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.

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