Titles

If the title is in your name, or you are the recorded lien holder for the vehicle, you can apply for a certified copy through the TxDMV.

• If a vehicle has more than one name listed as owner, both owners must apply.
• Application may be mailed or submitted in person to the address provided on the Application for a Certified Copy of Title (VTR-34).
• For more details, visit the TxDMV's Lost Titles page.

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles encourages a Title Check. For a small fee, approved Title Check vendors will provide a vehicle history including issues impacting the vehicle's value. For more information visit the TxDMV - Title Check page.

If you do not have acceptable evidence of ownership for a vehicle you own or recently purchased, you may have the option of applying for a bonded title.

Seller

• Complete, date and sign the out-of-state title or Texas title,
  • TX Title, Assignment of Title section on the back.
• Complete form Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346). When you submit the form a remark will be added to the vehicle record which shows the date you sold the vehicle. This can protect you if the buyer fails to promptly transfer the title.

Buyer

The legal name on the photo ID must match the name on all paperwork:

• Complete, date and sign the out-of-state title or Texas title,
  • TX Title, Assignment of Title section on the back.
• From the date of the seller's signature, the buyer has 30 calendar days to complete the title transfer before late fees are assessed
• Buyer must sign form Application for Texas Title - VTR-130 U (PDF)
• Valid government-issued ID
• Valid proof of Insurance
  • Must be in the name of all buyers.
  • Insurance on another vehicle owned by the buyers can be used for the first 30 calendar days from the date of sale
• Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) - Inspection Report showing emissions test overall passed and issued within last 90 days. Required only if the vehicle is from out of state or was last registered or titled in a Texas County without an emissions inspection program.
  • Exemptions include
  • Title only transfers
  • Vehicles less than 2 years old or vehicles older than 24 years
  • Diesel-powered vehicles, vehicles registered as antique, motorcycle, and title-only vehicles.
  • If the vehicle was purchased out of state ask the station for the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Verify that the vehicle identification number on the form matches your vehicle information and bring the form to the tax office. No alterations or errors will be accepted. Inspection station locator and information.
• Any supporting documents such as Release of Lien, Power of Attorney (VTR-271), etc.
• If you are a Texas resident who purchased a vehicle from overseas, please view the TxDMV.gov - Out of State and Imported Vehicles page for additional requirements.

Title Transfer Fees

• Title Application fee $33
• Applicable registration fee
• Sales tax is calculated at 6.25% on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value whichever is greater.
• If over 30 calendar days from the date of sale, additional penalties may apply.
• View the Method of Payments page for accepted payment options.

House Bill 2654 established new criteria for determining when a transaction qualifies as a gift for motor vehicle tax purposes. Effective September 1, 2009, the only transactions that qualify to be taxed as gifts ($10) are those wherein the vehicles are received from a: spouse, parent or stepparent, in-laws, grandparent or grandchild, child or stepchild, sibling, guardian, decedent's estate or if it is donated to, or given by, a nonprofit service organization qualifying under the Internal Revenue Code, Sec. 501(c)(3).

All other motor vehicle transfers made without payment of consideration are now defined as sales and will be subject to tax calculated on the normal Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) of the vehicle as determined through the Registration and Title System (RTS).

Please note: The donor or recipient is the only one that may bring the paperwork into the Tax Office in order to process it.

Donor

• Complete the Assignment of Title Seller section on the certificate of title.
• Completed Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer - (14-317) (PDF)
  • Requires notarization, unless signed in front of a county tax office employee
  • Refer to page 2 for additional instructions
• Complete form Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (VTR-346). When you submit the form a remark will be added to the vehicle record which shows the date you sold the vehicle. This can protect you if the buyer fails to promptly transfer the title.

Recipient

The legal name on the photo ID must match the name on all paperwork.

• Complete the Assignment of Title Buyer section on the certificate of title.
• From the date of sale, the recipient has 30 calendar days to complete the title transfer before late fees are assessed.
• Original signature on the sales tax affidavit form Application for Texas Title - (VTR-130 U) (PDF)
• Completed Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer - (14-317) (PDF)
  • Requires notarization, unless signed in front of a county tax office employee
  • Refer to page 2 for additional instructions
• Valid government-issued ID
• Valid proof of Insurance
  • Must be in the name of all recipients.
  • Insurance on another vehicle owned by the recipients can be used for the first 30 calendar days from the date of sale
• Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR) - Inspection Report showing emissions test overall passed and issued within the last 90 days. Required only if the vehicle is from out of state or was last registered or titled in a TX county without an emissions inspection program.
  • Exemptions include
    • Title only transfers
    • Vehicles less than 2 years old or vehicles older than 24 years
    • Diesel-powered vehicles, vehicles registered as antique, motorcycle, and title-only vehicles.
  • If the vehicle was purchased out of state ask the station for the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). Verify that the vehicle identification number on the form matches your vehicle information and bring the form to the tax office. No alterations or errors will be accepted. Original signature of the inspector.
• Any supporting documents such as Release of Lien, Power of Attorney - (VTR-271) (PDF), etc.

Gift Transfer Fees

• Title Application fee $33
• Gift Tax $10
• Applicable registration fee
• If over 30 calendar days from the sale date additional title and sales tax penalties may apply.
• View the Method of Payments page for accepted payment options.

If you purchase a vehicle from a Texas dealer, the dealer is required to process the title transaction. Contact your dealer if you have questions about your purchase.

If you do not have acceptable evidence of ownership for a vehicle you own or recently purchased, you may have the option of applying for a bonded title. For additional information, please see TXDMV Bonded Title Information.

View a list of bonded title agents provided by the Texas Department of Insurance. The companies listed are not affiliated with nor promoted by Williamson County Tax Office.

Senate Bill 543 effective September 1, 2009, requires the mechanic filing the lien to submit the following to the county tax assessor collector's office in the county in which repairs were made:

• $25 administrative fee
• Copy of the notification to owner/lienholder
• Signed copy of the work order

The Mechanic's Lien Foreclosure form (VTR-265-M) can be found on the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles Forms page.

Sales Tax Penalty

• From the date of sale, you will count 30 days (day 1 is the day after the sale date)
• 5% penalty on the sales tax amount between the 31st and 60th day late
• 10% penalty on the sales tax amount any day after the 61st date late

Delinquent Transfer Penalty

• From the date of sale, you will count 30 days (day 1 is the day after the sale date)
• The $25 penalty applies every 30 days or any part of a 30-day period up to a maximum of $250.

If you are a Texas resident who purchased a vehicle from overseas, please view the TxDMV.gov - Out of State and Imported Vehicles page for additional requirements.