Transferring a Car Title in North Dakota

The seller signs and dates Part 1 (Seller's Assignment & Warranty of Title) with the buyer's name, purchase price and date, records the odometer reading for vehicles under 10 years old, completes a Damage Disclosure Statement (SFN 18609) for vehicles under 9 years old, removes the plates, and must deliver the endorsed title to the buyer within 15 days. The buyer completes Part 3 and applies at a motor vehicle office; the title transfer fee is $5. A buyer may drive up to 5 days with dated proof of ownership, or 30 days with a self-issued temporary permit. When an owner has died, signing for the deceased requires an appointed personal representative; for estates of $50,000 or less, an Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent (SFN 2916) may be used.

A new resident with a valid license from another state may drive on it for up to 60 days after becoming a resident. To title and register a vehicle, submit SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title & Registration), proof of legal name, and the out-of-state title; vehicles titled in Alaska, Delaware, Georgia, Montana, New Hampshire, Oregon, Canada, a foreign country or a tribal nation owe excise tax on current market value (with credit for tax paid). For vehicle registration, a person counts as a resident if employed in North Dakota while living here, or after remaining in the state at least 90 consecutive days.