The title to a car proves who owns it. Obviously, if the ownership of a car changes, then the title needs to change hands (and names), as well. This applies to buying or selling a car, but it also applies to inheriting a vehicle from someone, as well as gifting or receiving a car as a gift from a family member. There are several things that residents of Kansas should know about transferring a car title.
Information for buyers
If you’re buying a car in Kansas, the title will need to be transferred into your name. If you’re working with a dealership, they’ll handle the process, but if you’re buying from a private seller, you need to follow these steps.
- Get the title from the seller and make sure that it’s completely filled out.
- Complete an Affidavit of Purchase Price and make sure all the fields are filled out.
- If the title does not have space to put the purchase price, or you’re buying a car from out of state, you’ll need a bill of sale.
- Get a lien release from the seller if there are liens on the title.
- You’ll need to get insurance on the car and provide proof of coverage.
- You’ll need a Motor Vehicle Examination certificate if the car is purchased from out of state. These are issued by inspection stations throughout the state.
- You’ll need to complete the Title and Registration Manual Application.
- You’ll need to bring these documents and payment for the registration and transfer fees to your local DOR office. Title transfer costs $10. Registration costs between $20 and $45 depending on the vehicle.
Common mistakes
- Not getting a lien release from the seller
Information for sellers
Sellers need to take many steps in the process of transferring a title in Kansas to ensure legality. They are as follows:
- Complete the fields on the back of the title and make sure that anyone else listed on the title also signs.
- Provide the buyer with a lien release if the title is not clean.
- Complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement if there is not room on the title for the odometer reading.
- Complete the Damage Disclosure Statement if there is not room on the title for this information.
- Complete an Affidavit to a Fact or a bill of sale if the title does not have room for the purchase price to be listed.
- Submit a Seller’s Notification of Sale to the DOR to remove your name from the database.
- Remove your license plates from the car. Transfer them to a new vehicle, or turn them in to the DOR.
Common mistakes
- Not submitting a Seller’s Notification of Sale
Gifting and inheriting
Both gifting and inheriting a car in Kansas are complicated processes. If you’re inheriting a vehicle, you’ll need the original title, as well as the Decedent’s Affidavit or a Claim of Heir and/or Beneficiary Affidavit, depending on the situation. You’ll also need the current registration, as well as a completed Title and Registration Manual Application.
For gifted vehicles, the seller will need to complete an Affidavit to a Fact and list the transfer as a gift. An Affidavit of Relationship may be needed if the gift is to a family member. The seller will also need to complete a Seller’s Notification of Sale.
For more information about how to transfer a car title in Kansas, visit the state’s Department of Revenue website.
