Transferring a vehicle title to a family member in Texas requires paperwork filed with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, a signature from the current owner, and payment of a transfer fee — the process takes about two weeks by mail.
The title itself is the legal proof of ownership. When you transfer it, you are moving that ownership from your name to a family member's name on the official state record. Texas does not charge a sales tax on transfers between family members, which is one reason people choose this route instead of selling the vehicle. However, you still pay a transfer fee and must complete the paperwork correctly, or the transfer will be rejected and you will have to resubmit.
The fastest way is to visit a Texas DMV office in person with both the owner and the new owner present, along with the required documents. If you mail the paperwork, allow two to three weeks for processing. Either way, the vehicle cannot be legally driven by the new owner until the title is transferred and a new registration is issued in their name.
Key Takeaways
- You need the original title document, a completed Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), and a valid ID from both the current owner and the new owner.
- Texas does not charge sales tax on family transfers, but you do pay a transfer fee of around $28 to $33 depending on the county.
- Both the current owner and the new owner must sign the paperwork in person at a DMV office, or you can mail the signed documents with a notarized signature if the new owner cannot be present.
- The new owner cannot legally drive the vehicle until the title transfer is complete and a new registration card arrives in the mail, which takes two to three weeks.
- If the title is lost or damaged, you must request a duplicate title before you can transfer ownership.
What documents you need to bring or mail
Start with the original title document. If you have lost it, you must request a duplicate from the Texas DMV before you can proceed with the transfer. You can order a duplicate title online through the Texas DMV website or by mail; this takes about two weeks on its own.
Next, you need Form 130-U, the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration. This is the state form that tells the DMV you are transferring ownership. You can download it from the Texas DMV website, pick it up at any DMV office, or request it by mail. On this form, you will enter the vehicle identification number (VIN), the current owner's name and address, the new owner's name and address, and the reason for the transfer (in this case, a gift to a family member).
Both the current owner and the new owner must provide a valid photo ID — a driver's license, passport, or state ID card. If the new owner is under 18, a parent or guardian must co-sign the title and provide their ID as well. You will also need proof of residency for the new owner if they have recently moved; a utility bill or lease dated within the last 60 days works.
How to handle the title signature
The back of the title document has a signature line for the current owner. This signature must be notarized if you are mailing the paperwork and the new owner cannot be present in person. If both the current owner and new owner go to the DMV office together, the current owner can sign the title in front of a DMV employee, and notarization is not required.
Do not sign the title before you are ready to submit it. Once signed, the title is considered transferred, and you cannot undo it without filing additional paperwork. If you make a mistake on the signature line, you will need to request a duplicate title and start over.
If the new owner is a minor, the parent or guardian must also sign the title. Some titles have a line for a co-owner; if the vehicle has two owners listed on the title, both must sign for the transfer to be valid.
Filing in person at a Texas DMV office
Bring the original title, the completed Form 130-U, valid IDs for both the current owner and the new owner, and proof of residency for the new owner if applicable. The DMV employee will verify the documents, the current owner will sign the title in front of them, and you will pay the transfer fee. The fee varies by county but is typically $28 to $33.
The DMV will issue a receipt showing the transfer has been submitted. The new owner will receive a new registration card and title in the mail within two to three weeks. During this time, the vehicle should not be driven, because the registration is still in the old owner's name.
You can find the DMV office nearest you on the Texas DMV website. Some offices require an appointment; others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. Call ahead to confirm hours and whether you need to book a time slot.
Mailing the paperwork to the Texas DMV
If the new owner cannot travel to a DMV office, you can mail the documents. The current owner must sign the title in front of a notary public, and the notary will stamp and sign the document to confirm the signature is genuine. You can find a notary at a bank, a UPS Store, a library, or online through the Texas Notary Public Directory.
Mail the original title, the completed Form 130-U, copies of both IDs, proof of residency for the new owner, and a check or money order for the transfer fee to the Texas DMV address listed on the form. Include a cover letter with both owners' names, phone numbers, and the VIN so the DMV can match the paperwork to the correct vehicle.
Send the package by certified mail with return receipt requested so you have proof it arrived. Processing takes two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives it. If there is an error in the paperwork, the DMV will mail it back to you, and you will have to resubmit, which adds another two to three weeks.
What happens if the title has a lien on it
A lien means a bank or lender has a legal claim on the vehicle because you financed the purchase. If the title shows a lienholder's name, you cannot transfer ownership until the lien is removed. This requires paying off the loan in full.
Contact the lender and ask for a lien release letter. Once you receive it, you can submit it along with the title and transfer paperwork to the DMV. The lender may also file the lien release directly with the Texas DMV on your behalf; ask them to confirm they have done so before you submit your transfer documents.
If you are transferring the vehicle to a family member and the loan is still active, the new owner will inherit the debt. Make sure both parties understand this before proceeding. Some lenders require the new owner to assume the loan formally, which involves a separate application and credit check.
After the transfer is complete
Once the new owner receives the title and registration card in the mail, the transfer is official. The new owner should update their auto insurance before driving the vehicle. Most insurance companies require the policyholder to be the registered owner, so the new owner will need to add the vehicle to their own policy or start a new one.
The new owner must also renew the vehicle registration if it is expiring soon. The registration renewal notice will be mailed to the new owner's address on file with the DMV. If the vehicle fails inspection or does not meet emissions standards in your area, the new owner will be responsible for repairs before the registration can be renewed.
Keep a copy of the transfer receipt and the old title for your records. If there are any disputes about the transfer later, these documents prove when and how the ownership changed hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to pay sales tax when I transfer a vehicle to a family member in Texas?
No. Texas does not charge sales tax on transfers between family members. You only pay the transfer fee, which is around $28 to $33 depending on your county. Family members include spouses, parents, children, grandparents, grandchildren, and siblings.
Can I transfer the title if the vehicle has an outstanding loan?
Not until the loan is paid off or the lender releases the lien. Contact your lender and ask for a lien release letter. Once you have it, you can proceed with the transfer. The new owner will be responsible for any remaining debt unless the lender agrees to transfer the loan to them.
What if I lose the title before I can transfer it?
Request a duplicate title from the Texas DMV. You can do this online, by mail, or in person at a DMV office. It takes about two weeks. Once you have the duplicate, you can proceed with the transfer using the same steps.
How long does it take to transfer a title in Texas?
If you go to a DMV office in person, the paperwork is submitted the same day, and the new owner receives the title and registration in the mail within two to three weeks. If you mail the documents, add another two to three weeks for mail delivery and processing, so four to six weeks total.
Can the new owner drive the vehicle before the title transfer is complete?
No. The vehicle cannot be legally driven until the new owner's name appears on the registration and title. Driving an unregistered vehicle can result in a traffic citation and fines. Wait for the new registration card to arrive in the mail before the new owner operates the vehicle.