BillOfSaleNow

Car Title Transfer Fees in Texas: Exact Costs and How Long It Takes

Here is exactly what you will pay to transfer a car title in Texas — base fee, sales tax, registration, late penalties, and whether you can do it online.

Fee Breakdown

Base Title Fee$33 title application fee
Additional Fees6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price (or Standard Presumptive Value — whichever is higher), $2.50 registration transfer fee, local county fees ($8–$15)
Total Typical Cost$45–$75 in fixed fees, plus 6.25% motor vehicle tax on purchase price

Transfer Timeline

2–4 weeks by mail; same-day at county tax assessor-collector officeSame-day available

Late Transfer Penalty

File within 30 days to avoid penalties.

$25 penalty for late transfer (0–30 days late); $50 for 31–90 days; $75 for 91 days to 1 year; $250 for over 1 year

Can You Transfer Online in Texas?

Limited — Texas requires in-person title transfer at the county tax assessor-collector

webDEALER is available for dealers. Private party transfers must be done in person at the county office.

Where to File

Your county tax assessor-collector office. Find your county office at txdmv.gov.

Money-Saving Tip

Bring a written bill of sale showing the actual sale price — TxDMV uses Standard Presumptive Value if the declared price is below market, which increases your tax.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Texas?

The base title transfer fee in Texas is $33 title application fee. Additional costs include 6.25% motor vehicle sales tax on purchase price (or Standard Presumptive Value — whichever is higher), $2.50 registration transfer fee, local county fees ($8–$15). Total typical cost: $45–$75 in fixed fees, plus 6.25% motor vehicle tax on purchase price.

How long do I have to transfer a car title in Texas?

Texas requires title transfer within 30 days of the sale. $25 penalty for late transfer (0–30 days late); $50 for 31–90 days; $75 for 91 days to 1 year; $250 for over 1 year

What is the penalty for a late title transfer in Texas?

$25 penalty for late transfer (0–30 days late); $50 for 31–90 days; $75 for 91 days to 1 year; $250 for over 1 year

Can I transfer a car title online in Texas?

Limited — Texas requires in-person title transfer at the county tax assessor-collector. webDEALER is available for dealers. Private party transfers must be done in person at the county office.

Where do I go to transfer a car title in Texas?

Your county tax assessor-collector office. Find your county office at txdmv.gov.

Document Your Vehicle Sale the Right Way

Before you transfer the title, make sure you have a Texas bill of sale documenting the sale price. It protects both buyer and seller.

Generate Texas Bill of Sale

Source: Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Verify current fees with your state DMV before filing.

Trusted by private vehicle sellers nationwide

45% faster sale

Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.

Source: Experian / AutoCheck

$4,000 avg loss

NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.

Source: NHTSA

17.5M private sales/yr

About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.

Source: Cox Automotive 2024

1 in 3 buyers

Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.

Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)

$60–$85 mobile notary

Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.

Source: Thumbtack / NNA