The certificate of title is a legal document establishing ownership of a car. If you’re buying or selling a pre-owned car in North Carolina, the transfer of title is one of the most crucial steps of the entire process.
What is the NC title transfer process?
What paperwork is required?
How to correctly fill out the title transfer form?
Is a NC smog check required?
Is a bill of sale required?
The title transfer needs to be carried out correctly. This North Carolina title transfer guide gives you everything you need to know to transfer a vehicle title in the Tarheel State.
There are two stages to a North Carolina car title transfer.
1. The two parties (buyer and seller) meet in person. The buyer pays the seller. Both fill out the physical certificate of title, and sign it. From this point on, the buyer is the legal owner of the car.
2. The buyer finalizes the transfer of ownership with the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV). At the same time, the buyer registers the car and applies for new license plates.
The first step (seller and buyer meeting) is the most important. The second step is a necessary formality.
As the seller, you’ll formalize the entire transaction when you transfer the ownership of the car by signing the title over to the buyer. You’ll remove the license plates and be done with the vehicle. If you’ve lost your vehicle title, you’ll need to apply for a replacement with Form MVR-1 prior to meeting the buyer.
As the buyer in a private car sale, you become the legal owner of the car as soon as the seller transfers the title to your name. You’ll finalize with DMV to get title and registration in your name. You’ll also get new North Carolina license plates and car insurance.
When signing the title certificate, always keep the following in mind.
Mistakes make the document invalid. Do not erase anything or use white-out. Only use black or blue ink. Any other color will void the title. Write neatly. Only use legal birth names.The front of a North Carolina title has a section for lienholders. If there is a lien on the title, the lienholder will need to release the lien in the green-colored section shown below.
The back of the title has sections for the seller (red), the notary (purple), and the buyer (teal). Here is the process for filling out the back of a North Carolina title.
1. In the red rectangle, marked “1”, the seller enters the name and address of the BUYER.
2. The seller enters the exact odometer disclosure reading, fills out the damage disclaimer section, enters the vehicle delivery date, and signs and prints their name in the red field marked “2”.
3. In the purple rectangle marked “3”, a notary enters the required information.
4. The buyer signs and prints their name in the blue-colored rectangle.
5. The buyer will fill out the application for a new title certificate simply by filling out the info that applies to them, signing, and checking the boxes in the blue field marked “6”.
6. In the blue rectangle, the buyer will fill out their personal info (full legal name, drivers license number, address, city, zip code, and county).
7. If applicable, the lienholder enters the information in the green rectangle.
8. The buyer enters their car insurance company, policy number as well as an accurate odometer reading followed by their signature.
9. In the last purple rectangle, the notary will enter the required information.
Congrats! You’ve completed the first part of a NC title transfer. Pretty simple, right? Now you need to complete the transfer with the DMV.
You’ve done the deal and are the proud owner of a new-to-you vehicle. You still need to register the car and transfer the title with the State of North Carolina. At the same time you submit vehicle registration paperwork and a title transfer request, you’ll apply for new NC license plates. You’ll also need to pay sales taxes and fees.
Bring the following to your local NC DMV office:
All documents provided by the car's seller (especially the original title as proof of ownership, signed by the previous vehicle owner)
