Title Transfer New Jersey
It’s fairly straightforward to complete a title transfer in New Jersey. The process requires basic paperwork and fees.
Written by Melanie Reiff
Reviewed by Carrie Adkins
Table of Contents
- What is a title transfer?
- Car title transfer in New Jersey
- Registering a car in New Jersey
- Finding insurance for your vehicle
- FAQs
Load full table of contents
To transfer
car ownership
in New Jersey
, you’ll need to complete a title transfer and register your car. This can be done at the MVC for a fee of $60 (without a lien) or $85 (with a lien). Changing the ownership of a vehicle isn’t as simple as selling the car and handing over the keys. To make the purchase official, you’ll need to complete a title transfer. In New Jersey, this process requires paperwork and some fees.
You’ll have to prepare a bit to transfer a title in New Jersey, and you must comply with the Motor Vehicle Commission regulations and state law. The
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What is a title transfer?
A car title represents ownership of the vehicle. If you’re transferring ownership, you’ll need to complete a title transfer as well.
There are two steps for transferring a title—one for the seller and one for the buyer:
- The seller must relinquish ownership of the car by signing the title
- The buyer must take the signed title to a motor vehicle agency, where the state will issue a new title and registration
Each state has a slightly different title transfer process. Most states mandate at least some paperwork, but some have more requirements than others—like a transfer of ownership form, odometer certification, or bill of sale.
Who does the title transfer?
The responsibility of completing a title transfer depends on whether you’re buying or selling the vehicle privately or through a dealership.
In New Jersey, if the sale is done privately, you and the seller must complete the documents and title transfer process. You are then required to take the documents to the motor vehicle agency yourself.
On the other hand, if you purchase a car through a dealer, it is the dealer’s responsibility to submit all the paperwork.
Reasons for a title transfer
Title transfers often are done because of a change of residency or buying or selling a car. But, there are other reasons you may look into transferring the title of your car.
Alternative reasons for a title change include:
- Donating a vehicle
- Gifting a vehicle
- Inheriting a vehicle
- Paying off a vehicle loan
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Car title transfer in New Jersey
In New Jersey, the title transfer process must be completed within 10 days of sale or the change of ownership or you will face a $25 penalty.
This is what you need to complete the title transfer process:
Have your New Jersey Certificate of Title—if you don’t have one, you’ll need to complete an Application for Duplicate or Transfer of Title
- Ensure the title is signed by the buyer(s), the seller(s), and, if applicable, the lienholder. If there is a lien, you have to complete the terms of the lien before you sell your car
- Obtain a Bill of Sale and ensure that the title is properly signed by the owner-of-record
- Have the following information ready:
- Driver’s License or Identification DocumentationIf the car is leased or financed, you will need aUniversal Title ApplicationMileage statementInsurance informationPayment for fees
The fee to transfer a title without a lien is $60. If there is a lien on the vehicle, the fee is $85.
Key Takeaway To complete a title transfer in New Jersey, you will need to have the required paperwork and fees ready.
Registering a car in New Jersey
After finishing the title transfer process, you’ll need to register your vehicle before you can drive it. Registration is legal proof that you are allowed to take your car on the road, and you must register your car annually.
In New Jersey, fees for registration range from $33 to $84 based on the age and weight of the vehicle. There also will be a sales tax fee.
Drivers over the age of 65 may be eligible for a discount on their registration.
Finding insurance for your vehicle
Once your car is registered, you’ll need to have proof of insurance before you can legally drive your vehicle. However, finding the right insurance can be as much of a hassle as registering your car—if not more.
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FAQs
What if my car has a loan?
If your car has a loan in New Jersey, it will cost you $85 to complete the title transfer process if the conditions of the loan are not met.
What do I do if the seller doesn’t have a title?
If the seller doesn’t have a title, you’ll need to request a duplicate title from the state that had the last record of the title or registration.
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