Adding a name to the car title is a reasonably uncomplicated procedure similar to selling the vehicle. When you add a name to your title, you give the person the same authority over the car and make the ownership extend to them. So, if you wanted to do this and weren’t sure how the article will cover the whole process more than comprehensively.
The requirements for adding a name may vary slightly by state. However, you generally need the following documents to go through the process:
You need the already existing title to prove your ownership of the vehicle. Sign the seller section to indicate yourself as the seller, then provide your name and the person to be added in the buyer section.
Enter both names with the appropriate conjunction to indicate whether it is a Joint or Common Ownership.
Joint ownership is acknowledged by the conjunction 'or'. In contrast, Common ownership is recognized by the conjunction 'and'— for example, Alex or Ellen for joint ownership and Alex and Ellen for common ownership.
Joining the names by 'or' means that only one person will be required for future transactions concerning the car, such as a change of ownership, whereas joining the names by 'and' means that both persons must consent.
Request an application for a certificate of title from your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Both persons must complete the form with their valid signatures.
Make an appointment with the DMV to submit the completed application. Submission is subject to a fee and varies by state. Your DMV will issue the new title after all fees have been paid and signatures verified.
Your car’s title goes together with the registration; the title proves your ownership, and the registration proves that you have the legal right to drive the car on public roads. Therefore you need to register the new person that has been added to the title to prove that they, too, have the legal right to drive the car. Some states allow the person to be added to the existing registration, while others require a separate registration.
It is a requirement that both persons listed on the title must be insured. Update your insurance by submitting a copy of the new title and registration to your insurer.
If the removal of the name comes as a result of divorce, name change, or whether one of the persons on the title is deceased, the same documents will be required to support the removal of the name, and the process will remain the same, except for a few things.
The person whose name is to be removed signs the seller section of the title, and the person whose name is to remain signs the buyer section. When signing the seller section, pay attention to the conjunction used to join the names on the existing title.
If the conjunction joined the names “and,” then both persons must sign the seller section while the person to remain signs the buyer section. If the names were joined by the conjunction "or," then the person to be removed must sign the seller section, while the person to remain signs the buyer section.
Send the signed title to your local DMV and request a new title in your name. You’ll get it back as soon as signature verification ends.
Yes, but only with the lien holder’s permission. The lien holder has the right to your car because they financed it. The lien holder is, therefore, responsible for applying for the addition or removal of the name and will either veto or accept your proposal.
After gaining the lien holder's approval, visit your local DMV to begin the process.
When adding a name to a car title, you're selling the car to yourself and the person being added. It means you will share the right of ownership with them, and if you’re prepared for that, follow the outlined procedure.
The process for removing a name is also similar, and the person whose name goes off the title signs as the seller, while the other signs as the buyer. For titles with a lien holder, the lien holder's approval is always required for both the addition and removal of the name.
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