What You Need to Do to Transfer a Title in Minnesota

To transfer a vehicle title in Minnesota, you submit Form REG 13 (process for Minnesota Certificate of Title) to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, along with the signed title from the previous owner, proof of ownership, and a bill of sale. The state charges a title transfer fee that varies based on the vehicle's age and value. Processing takes about two weeks by mail, though you can also transfer a title in person at any Deputy Registrar office across the state.

The process differs slightly depending on whether you are buying from a private seller, a dealership, or inheriting the vehicle. A dealership often handles the paperwork for you as part of the sale, but if you buy privately, you are responsible for completing and submitting the forms yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • You must submit Form REG 13, the signed title from the seller, a bill of sale, and proof of ownership to transfer a title in Minnesota.
  • The title transfer fee depends on the vehicle's value and age, and you can pay it when you submit your forms by mail or in person.
  • Processing by mail takes roughly two weeks; visiting a Deputy Registrar office in person is faster but requires a trip to their location.
  • If you buy from a dealership, they typically handle the title transfer for you, but private sales require you to do the paperwork yourself.
  • The previous owner must sign the title in the designated section before you submit it, and their signature cannot be notarized or witnessed.

Documents You Need to Gather Before You Start

The signed title from the previous owner is the most critical document. The seller must sign in the assignment section on the back of the title — not in front, and not with a notary present. Minnesota does not accept notarized signatures on titles. If the title is lost or damaged, the previous owner can request a duplicate from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety before signing it over to you.

You also need a bill of sale, which documents the sale price and date. This can be a straightforward written agreement between you and the seller, or you can use Minnesota's standard form. The bill of sale protects both parties and serves as proof of the transaction if questions arise later.

Bring proof that you own the vehicle now. This is usually the bill of sale itself, but if you inherited the vehicle, you will need the death certificate and a document showing you are the heir. If the vehicle was repossessed or came from an insurance settlement, bring the relevant paperwork from that process.

You will also need your Minnesota driver's license or ID, and the vehicle's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), which appears on the title and on the vehicle itself, usually on the dashboard or door jamb.

How to Submit Your Title Transfer by Mail

Complete Form REG 13 in full, including your name, address, and the vehicle information. Sign the form where indicated. Attach the signed title from the previous owner and the bill of sale. Include a check or money order for the title transfer fee — do not send cash.

Mail the complete packet to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Driver and Vehicle Services Division, at the address listed on Form REG 13. Keep a copy of everything you send for your records. The department will process your forms and mail the new title to you, which typically takes two weeks from the date they receive your packet.

If you are transferring a title for a vehicle with a lien (meaning a bank or lender still owns it), include a letter from the lienholder authorizing the transfer, or bring that letter in person to a Deputy Registrar office. Some lienholders handle this step themselves and will send the paperwork directly to the state.

Transferring a Title in Person at a Deputy Registrar Office

You can walk into any Deputy Registrar office in Minnesota with your completed Form REG 13, the signed title, bill of sale, proof of ownership, and payment, and leave with a temporary title the same day. The permanent title arrives by mail within two weeks. This route is faster if you need to register the vehicle when ready or if you want to avoid mail delays.

Deputy Registrar offices are located in most cities and towns across Minnesota. You can find the office nearest you on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety website. Hours vary by location, so call ahead or check online before you go. Bring all documents in original form — photocopies are not accepted.

Payment at a Deputy Registrar office can be made by cash, check, or card, depending on the office. Ask when you call whether they accept the payment method you plan to use.

Understanding the Title Transfer Fee

Minnesota charges a title transfer fee based on the vehicle's value and age. The fee is not a flat amount — it scales with the vehicle's market value. A vehicle worth $5,000 costs less to transfer than one worth $20,000. The state publishes a fee schedule that the Deputy Registrar or the Department of Public Safety can provide.

You pay the fee once, when you submit your transfer paperwork. If you are also registering the vehicle at the same time, registration fees are separate and additional. Some people transfer the title and registration together; others do them at different times, though registering without a title in your name is not possible.

What Happens If the Title Has a Lien or Is Held by a Lender

If you are buying a vehicle that still has a loan against it, the lender (usually a bank or credit union) holds the title until the loan is paid off. You cannot transfer the title to your name until the lien is removed. The seller must pay off the loan first, or arrange for the lender to release the title as part of the sale closing.

In most cases, the seller's lender will send the title directly to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety with a lien release form, and you will receive your clear title by mail. Ask the seller to confirm with their lender that this will happen before you complete the purchase. If the lender does not release the title within a few weeks of the sale, contact the lender directly to follow up.

If you are financing the purchase yourself, your new lender will hold the title until your loan is paid off. Your lender will handle submitting the lien paperwork to the state as part of the loan closing.

Scams and Safety Warnings for Title Transfers

Never buy a vehicle with a title that shows "salvage," "rebuilt," or "flood" status unless you understand what that means for the vehicle's safety and resale value. A salvage title means the vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurance company. A rebuilt title means it was salvaged and then repaired. These vehicles are legal to own and drive, but they are worth significantly less and may have hidden damage. Always have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before you buy.

Do not wire money to a seller before you have the signed title in your hands. Scammers pose as private sellers online, collect payment, and never deliver the title or vehicle. Meet in person, inspect the vehicle, verify the VIN matches the title, and only then hand over payment.

Be cautious of sellers who pressure you to complete the sale quickly or who ask you to sign blank forms. Legitimate private sales allow time for you to review documents and have questions answered. If a seller refuses to let you see the title before you pay, walk away.

Do not use a title transfer service or online company that promises to handle your transfer "for free" or charges an upfront fee before processing. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety does not endorse private services, and you can submit your own paperwork directly to the state at no cost beyond the official fee.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get my new title after I submit the paperwork?

By mail, expect two weeks from the date the Department of Public Safety receives your packet. If you submit in person at a Deputy Registrar office, you receive a temporary title when ready and the permanent title by mail within two weeks. Processing times can be longer during peak periods, such as spring and early summer.

What if the seller's name on the title does not match their ID?

The name on the title must match the name on the seller's ID. If there is a mismatch, the seller must first correct their title with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety before they can sign it over to you. This requires a separate process and may delay your purchase by several weeks.

Can I transfer a title if the vehicle has an outstanding loan I am paying off?

No, not until the loan is paid in full and the lender releases the lien. Once the lien is released, the lender will send the title to the state, and you will receive it by mail. You cannot register or legally own the vehicle until the title is in your name.

Do I need to have the vehicle inspected before I transfer the title?

Minnesota does not require a pre-purchase inspection for title transfer. However, having a mechanic inspect any used vehicle before you buy is a smart safety step. An inspection can reveal hidden damage or mechanical problems that affect the vehicle's value and safety.

What if I lose the title after I receive it?

You can request a duplicate title from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety by submitting Form REG 13 and paying a duplicate title fee. The process is the same as a transfer, and you will receive a replacement title by mail within two weeks.