Puerto Rico Title Transfer Guide (2026)
| Titling agency | Puerto Rico DMV ↗ |
| Transfer deadline | 30 days from sale |
| Bill of sale notary | Not required |
| VIN inspection (out-of-state) | Required · |
| Lien release form | CESCO Form |
Puerto Rico title transfer in 8 steps
- 1Gather documents — original title (or duplicate if lost), valid government ID, current registration, lien release (CESCO Form) if applicable, and odometer disclosure for vehicles under 20 years old.
- 2Complete the bill of sale — record buyer + seller full legal names and addresses, vehicle VIN, year, make, model, odometer reading, sale price, and sale date.
- 3Sign the title — seller endorses the title assignment section on the back, fills in buyer info, odometer reading, and sale date. Puerto Rico requires odometer disclosure for vehicles under 15 years old.
- 4Complete VIN inspection — Puerto Rico requires VIN inspection for out-of-state vehicles. Schedule with Puerto Rico DMV or a licensed inspector.
- 5Buyer files at Puerto Rico DMV — within 30 days of the sale, the buyer brings the signed title, bill of sale, and ID to Puerto Rico DMV.
- 6Pay tax and fees — state sales/use tax plus local rates, plus the title fee ($15-$50).
- 7Receive new title — Puerto Rico DMV issues a new title in the buyer's name (typically by mail within 2-4 weeks).
- 8Seller files release of liability — to remove future ticket/toll responsibility from the seller's record, file a notice of transfer with Puerto Rico DMV the same day as the sale.
Puerto Rico lien release procedure
- Lienholder provides a signed CESCO lien release form or letter.
- Owner submits the lien release with the existing title and title application at a CESCO office.
- Pay the applicable title fee and receive a clean Puerto Rico title.
Inherited vehicle title transfer
Puerto Rico estate transfers require either a small-estate affidavit (for estates below the state threshold, typically $50,000-$150,000) or letters of administration from probate court. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title to Puerto Rico DMV.
Need a Puerto Rico bill of sale to complete the transfer?
Compliant with Puerto Rico DMV requirements. From $9 — instant DMV-ready PDF, no signup.
Create Puerto Rico Bill of Sale →Frequently Asked Questions — Puerto Rico
How long do I have to transfer a car title in Puerto Rico?▾
Puerto Rico requires the buyer to file the title transfer within 30 days of the sale date. Missing the deadline triggers late penalties (typically $25-$50) and accrued use tax.
What does a Puerto Rico title transfer cost?▾
Puerto Rico title transfer fees vary. The transfer typically includes a title fee ($15-$50) plus state and local sales/use tax. Contact Puerto Rico DMV for exact rates.
Do I need a bill of sale to transfer a title in Puerto Rico?▾
Yes — Puerto Rico requires a written bill of sale documenting the buyer, seller, vehicle (VIN, year, make, model), odometer reading, and sale price. Puerto Rico DMV uses the bill of sale to calculate sales tax and confirm transfer terms.
What if there's a lien on the title in Puerto Rico?▾
In Puerto Rico, the lender must complete CESCO Form confirming lien satisfaction before title transfer. Some lenders provide an electronic release directly to Puerto Rico DMV. The buyer cannot register the vehicle until the lien is cleared.
How do I transfer a title for an inherited vehicle in Puerto Rico?▾
Puerto Rico inherited-vehicle transfers require either a small-estate affidavit or letters of administration depending on estate value. The successor presents probate paperwork plus the original title (or duplicate) to Puerto Rico DMV, along with a bill of sale for any sale to a third party.
Source: Puerto Rico DMV ↗ · Last verified 2026-05-07