How to Transfer a Car Title in Wisconsin?

When buying or selling a used car in Wisconsin, transferring the title is one of the most important steps in the whole process.

Transferring a Wisconsin vehicle title needs to be done correctly, and this becomes especially important in private-party car transactions.

This title transfer guide gives you all the details you need to know when signing over an auto title in Wisconsin.

A car title transfer makes the buyer the new owner of the vehicle. A title transfer is divided into two stages:

1. The seller and buyer meet in person. The buyer pays the seller for the car. Both fill out the physical title certificate and sign it. The buyer is now the legal owner of the purchased car.
2. The buyer registers the newly-bought vehicle with the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), and the DMV updates their records to establish the buyer as the titled owner.

The first step (the seller signing over the title) is the critical transfer of ownership. The second step is a necessary formality so that the state recognizes you as the new owner of the vehicle.

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

The front of a Wisconsin title has a section for lien holders. If the vehicle has a lien (loan), the lienholder (bank) will fill out this section. If not, skip to the back of the title.

The back of the title has sections for the buyer (teal) and the seller (red). Here is the process for filling out the back of a Wisconsin title.

1. In the red section marked “1,” the seller enters the exact odometer reading.
a. Don't include tenths of a mile.
b. Only check boxes 1 or 2 if the odometer reading is in excess of its mechanical limits or if the odometer reading is not the actual mileage.
2. The buyer prints their name, address, city, state, and zip code in the blue rectangle marked ”2”.
3. The buyer signs and prints their name in the blue section marked “3”.
4. In the red section marked “4 ,” the seller signs and prints their name.

In the state of Wisconsin, transfer of title and registration are done at the same time. Wisconsin's title transfer fee is $164.50.

Wisconsin allows you to transfer the title online, by mail, or in person.

To transfer a vehicle title online, you will need the following:


If you decide to do the transfer in person, you will have to pay an additional $5 counter service fee.

You’ve done the deal and are the proud owner of a new-to-you vehicle. Your work is not done yet. There are still steps you need to take to finalize your vehicle's title transfer with the State of Wisconsin. You also need to get new license plates and register the car with the Wisconsin Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Registration in Wisconsin costs $85. To apply for a Wisconsin license plate, you must have a valid Wisconsin car registration card from the Wisconsin DMV. To register your vehicle, you will you will need to pay the following fees:

Wisconsin standard license plates are included in the registration fee of $85, while personalized plates cost an additional $15.

If you want special license plates, be prepared to pay up to $40 on top of the registration fee.

Check out our complete guide to Wisconsin license plate costs for more on the subject.

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Here’s how you can sell your car in Wisconsin with a few simple steps:

1. Gather the required paperwork for selling a car in Wisconsin
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