Transferring a Car Title in Montana
Steps and fees to transfer a vehicle title in Montana when you buy, sell or inherit a car, and the deadline to register after moving.
Short answer: A buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership by applying for title and registering the vehicle at the County Treasurer's office in the buyer's county of residence; a late fee applies after 40 days. Montana MVD, You Got a New Vehicle; Frequently Asked Questions
| Transferring a car title | A buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership by applying for title and registering the vehicle at the County Treasurer's office in the buyer's county of residence; a late fee applies after 40 days. The previous owner signs the current title over to the buyer, and the buyer provides the title, valid identification, and title and registration fees. A dealer sends the paperwork for dealer sales. In some cases (vehicle last titled and registered in Montana and sold to a Montana resident) the seller may provide a title application (MV1), bill of sale (MV24) or replacement title application (MV7). FAQ: https://mvdmt.gov/faqs/ |
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| Registering after you move | A new Montana resident transfers an out-of-state title by asking the County Treasurer for a Foreign Title Transfer form (MV63); if a lender holds the title, the form is sent to the lender asking it to release the out-of-state title to the county treasurer. A Montana driver's license cannot be issued until all driver's licenses from other jurisdictions are surrendered. License surrender: https://mca.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0610/chapter_0050/part_0010/section_0020/0610-0050-0010-0020.html |
More Montana car insurance & vehicle laws
- Minimum Car Insurance in Montana
- Driving Without Insurance in Montana
- SR-22 Insurance in Montana
- When a Car Is a Total Loss in Montana
- All Montana car insurance & vehicle laws rules
FAQ
How do you transfer a car title in Montana?
A buyer has 40 days from the sale date to transfer ownership by applying for title and registering the vehicle at the County Treasurer's office in the buyer's county of residence; a late fee applies after 40 days. The previous owner signs the current title over to the buyer, and the buyer provides the title, valid identification, and title and registration fees. A dealer sends the paperwork for dealer sales. In some cases (vehicle last titled and registered in Montana and sold to a Montana resident) the seller may provide a title application (MV1), bill of sale (MV24) or replacement title application (MV7).
How long do you have to register your car after moving to Montana?
A new Montana resident transfers an out-of-state title by asking the County Treasurer for a Foreign Title Transfer form (MV63); if a lender holds the title, the form is sent to the lender asking it to release the out-of-state title to the county treasurer. A Montana driver's license cannot be issued until all driver's licenses from other jurisdictions are surrendered.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.