Title and transfer guidance in Texas
The responsible authority is Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Continue to its official site for current title and transfer instructions.
Before you complete the transfer
TxDMV directs buyers and sellers to handle title paperwork through the county tax office and explains the documents commonly used in a private sale. The state also provides a Title Check exit for title issues.
- Compare the VIN on the vehicle with the signed title and every sale document.
- Make sure the title is properly signed and includes the required odometer reading.
- Complete the Texas title and registration application and show the purchase price as required.
- Use the county tax office and official TxDMV instructions for the transfer; consider the official Title Check before purchase.
Documents to check
- Signed vehicle title
- Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- Bill of sale or supporting documents when applicable
- Lien release, power of attorney, or inspection documentation when applicable
Limits and next checks
- TxDMV says a buyer should title the vehicle in the buyer’s name within 30 days of the sale.
- TxDMV says a seller can file a Vehicle Transfer Notification and should keep written transaction records.
- County tax offices may control accepted payment methods and local processing details.
Sources for this guide
Reviewed 2026-09-04. Confirm the requirements for your transaction with the responsible authority.
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Official exits, not in-app records
Factory VIN does not query, scrape, proxy, or prefill state forms. It cannot confirm title, lien, ownership, registration, odometer, salvage, theft, accident, inspection, or tax status.
Texas title and transfer guidance
Official title and transfer guidance
Official guidanceTexas motor-vehicle title or transfer process, subject to the authority’s eligibility rules.
Limit: Guidance only. Factory VIN does not retrieve or present a vehicle-specific result from this authority.
Continue to Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
Questions to confirm before transfer
Use Texas Department of Motor Vehicles's official title and transfer guidance before a transfer. Confirm current documents, fees, and transaction channel directly with the authority.
- Ask which original title, lien-release, bill-of-sale, odometer, and seller documents apply.
- Confirm the current transfer channel, deadline, and title fee with the authority.
- Confirm that seller and buyer signatures meet the authority's current instructions.
Confirm current forms, fees, deadlines, and eligibility with Texas Department of Motor Vehicles before a sale or transfer.
National checks
Exact-VIN recall status
Check this exact VIN for unrepaired safety recalls on the official NHTSA site.
Continue to NHTSATheft and salvage records from participating insurers
NICB describes the limits and participating data sources on its own site.
Continue to NICB VINCheckApproved vehicle-history providers
Choose a provider from the official directory. Factory VIN does not receive provider results.
Continue to U.S. Department of Justice NMVTIS directory