In order to successfully transfer the title of a North Dakota vehicle, you need specific documentation and payment for all the applicable fees. In North Dakota, the buyer and seller of the vehicle need to sign the vehicle title and complete the necessary forms.
You need to take the vehicle title and completed form to your local North Dakota DOT office. You are also responsible for paying the $5 fee and excise tax (if required).
Be advised, you may be required to submit additional documents and payments at the time of the vehicle title transfer.
Smog Certification/Vehicle Inspection
In North Dakota, there are no requirements for smog testing or vehicle emissions testing for vehicles that are registered in this state. Vehicle owners in the state of North Dakota do not have to worry about getting their vehicle(s) to pass an emissions test or smog check when it’s time to renew their vehicle’s registration, regardless of the vehicle’s age.
However, residents of North Dakota are required to pass a general safety inspection in order to be eligible to drive on the roads of North Dakota. A vehicle inspection is required in ND before you can receive the vehicle’s title and register the vehicle within the state. The state of North Dakota does not require vehicles to be inspected during registration renewal.
North Dakota Emissions, Smog Check, and Vehicle Inspection Requirements
There is no smog or emissions testing in North Dakota. However, as a new resident of North Dakota, you have 90 days to have your vehicle inspected and registered in the state. If you fall under one of the following categories, you are not required to obtain an ND vehicle registration:
- Nonresident students
- Tourists
- Members of the Armed Forces
However, if you’re a new resident who owns one of the following types of vehicles, you are required to have a vehicle inspection performed:
- Rebuilt or modified vehicle
- Salvaged title
- Antique vehicles
- Vehicles that require a VIN verification
Once you had a vehicle inspection performed by an inspector, and they sign the appropriate form, you are required to pay for the inspection fee. The fee may vary depending on where you have the vehicle inspection performed. Once you pay the necessary fees, you must mail the inspection form to the following address:
Motor Vehicle Division
NDDOT
608 E. Boulevard Ave
Bismarck, ND 58505
Make sure you mail the vehicle inspection form as soon as you receive it to avoid penalties and unnecessary fees.
How to Transfer Your Vehicle Title in North Dakota?
Whether you are buying or selling a vehicle in North Dakota, you are required to transfer the vehicle’s title.
Transferring a Vehicle’s Title As a New Resident of North Dakota
As a new resident of North Dakota, you must apply for a vehicle title transfer from your previous state. You are also required to register your vehicle and obtain North Dakota license plates simultaneously.
To transfer your vehicle’s title as a new resident of North Dakota, you need to visit your local ND Department of Transportation (DOT) office and:
- Submit a completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration of a Motor Vehicle (Form SFN 2872)
- Submit your out-of-state vehicle registration
- Submit your vehicle’s out-of-state title (if there is a lien on your vehicle) You must also ensure the “Dealer and lien holder information” section on the out-of-state title is filled out
- Pay all applicable fees:
- Vehicle title transfer fee: $5
- Excise tax (if required): 5% of the market value of the vehicle
- Registration fees: these fees are based on the weight of your vehicle
- Abandoned vehicle disposal fee of $1.50
Be advised, if your vehicle is from any of the following states, you are required to pay excise tax:
- Alaska
- Delaware
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- Any Canadian Province
Keep in mind, if you’ve already paid excise tax in a different state, you are exempt from paying the same tax as long as you obtain proof the tax was paid.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle Purchased From a Private Seller
When you purchase a vehicle from a private party in North Dakota, you must obtain certain documents from the seller and apply for the vehicle title transfer on your own.
In order to successfully transfer a vehicle’s title purchased from a private seller, you must visit your local North Dakota DOT with:
- The completed vehicle title certificate (you will also need to complete an odometer disclosure statement unless the vehicle is a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle (ATV), is not self-propelled, or the vehicle is transferring owners.
- Proof of identity (such as your ND driver’s license or ID card)
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Vehicle (Form SFN 2872) This form is also used for duplicate vehicle titles.
- A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609). This form is only required if the vehicle is less than 9 years old.
- Payment for all applicable fees:
- Vehicle title transfer fee: $5
- Excise tax
- Vehicle registration fees
- Abandoned vehicle disposal fee of $1.50 (required for new vehicles only)
Make sure you have the required documents and payments before heading to your local ND DOT to avoid delays and additional fees.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle Purchased From a Dealership
When you purchase a vehicle from a North Dakota dealership, the dealership will handle the ND DOT vehicle title transfer and all other paperwork. If the dealership does not handle the vehicle title transfer paperwork, you need to contact the ND DOT to inquire about the required documents.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle You’re Selling
If you’re selling a vehicle in North Dakota, there are certain documents you are required to give the vehicle’s buyer.
In order to successfully transfer the title of a vehicle you’re selling in ND, you need to provide the vehicle’s buyer with the following:
- Completed vehicle title certificate (the odometer disclosure statement must be completed unless the vehicle’s ownership is being transferred, the vehicle is an ATV or snowmobile, or the vehicle is not self-propelled)
- A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609)
Be advised, if you are not in possession of the vehicle’s title, you must apply for a duplicate ND vehicle title to complete the vehicle title transfer process. Also, remember to remove the license plates from the vehicle before you complete the vehicle title transfer in North Dakota.
How to Transfer a Car Title When the Owner is Deceased?
After the owner of a vehicle passes away, the process for transferring the title of a deceased individual varies depending on whether the vehicle’s title was in the individual’s name as a descendant or joint ownership. The question of probate comes up if the vehicle’s title was solely in the descendant’s name.
The probate process takes place when there is no beneficiary or living spouse provided in the will. Probate is a legal process that proves that the last will and testament are legitimate, and it involves the administering of the estate of the deceased individual. The Probate Court determines how you need to proceed with the individual’s belongings, and during this process, the deceased person’s property is distributed according to their will.
When a vehicle is part of a probated estate, you need to follow these steps to successfully transfer the vehicle title of a deceased person:
Contact Probate Court and an Attorney
The administrator or executor of the deceased should contact an attorney or Probate Court as soon as possible to determine their next steps in the probate process. Be advised that a vehicle’s title can’t be transferred until the probate process is completed. Once the probate is complete, the heir will receive the vehicle, unless the executor was given the vehicle. If the executor was given the vehicle, they can choose to sell it.
Obtain the Required Documentation
The necessary documents for this scenario vary by state, but in North Dakota, you must have the following documents to successfully transfer a vehicle’s title:
- Order from Probate Court to transfer the vehicle’s title
- The death certificate
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Certificate of the vehicle title
- Vehicle title transfer fee
Visit the Title Office
If you are the administrator of the deceased individual’s estate or the beneficiary, you can visit your local ND vehicle title office with the above-listed documentation to begin the vehicle title transfer process.
Transferring the Title of an Inherited Vehicle
If you inherited a vehicle, there are certain steps you are required to take to successfully transfer the vehicle’s title.
When you inherit a vehicle, you need the following items to complete a vehicle title transfer:
- A completed vehicle title (The personal representative of the deceased individual needs to complete the “Seller’s Assignment & Warranty of Title” section). You need to complete the vehicle title as the “Buyer”. You will also need to complete an odometer disclosure statement.
- A copy of the personal representative’s papers as proof of power of attorney
- A completed Damaged/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609)
- Payment for the ND DOT vehicle title transfer fee of $5
Take the above-mentioned documents and necessary payment to your local North Dakota DOT office.
How to Transfer Ownership of a Vehicle Without a Title in North Dakota?
In the state of North Dakota, you can’t transfer ownership of a vehicle without the vehicle’s title. If you don’t have the vehicle’s title, you must request a duplicate North Dakota vehicle title (Form SFN 2872).
Can I Gift a Vehicle to a Family Member?
In North Dakota, you can gift a vehicle to a family member as long as you have the proper documentation. If the vehicle was a gift, or the vehicle is being transferred from a family member, you must complete a vehicle title transfer at your local ND DOT office. The steps you are required to take when transferring the title of a gifted vehicle are the same as the steps required when you are buying or selling a vehicle in North Dakota.
In the section of the vehicle’s title where you are required to disclose a price for the vehicle, write “0”. The person receiving the vehicle may not be required to pay vehicle sales tax. As you would with a private vehicle sale in North Dakota, you are required to complete the transfer of ownership sections on the back of the vehicle’s original title.
Although the vehicle is being gifted to a relative, they may have to pay tax on the current market value of the vehicle when they register the vehicle. You need to make sure the signed original vehicle title is given to the city clerk in order to have the application for a new vehicle title completed.
If you are the recipient of a gifted vehicle, or you’re transferring ownership between relatives, you can apply for a vehicle title transfer by submitting the following to your local North Dakota Department of Transportation office:
- Certificate of title (you need to make sure the previous owner or donor of the vehicle has completed the vehicle title as the “Seller”, and you must complete the vehicle title as the “buyer”. Make sure the odometer reading is recorded.
- A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609)
- Payment for the vehicle title transfer fee of $5
Transferring a Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title
If your vehicle has an out-of-state vehicle title, you are required to transfer the vehicle’s title when you establish yourself as a resident of North Dakota. In the state of North Dakota, you must meet a variety of requirements to transfer your vehicle’s title in this scenario.
You are required to have the following out-of-state vehicle title transfer paperwork to correctly transfer the title from a different state to North Dakota:
- Proof of identification (such as a driver’s license)
- The original out-of-state vehicle title
- Proof of a valid ND vehicle insurance policy
- The original out-of-state vehicle title
- A completed North Dakota vehicle registration application
- A completed application for a certificate of ownership
If a lien holder has the vehicle’s title, you must fill out an application for the release of the vehicle’s title, which will be sent to the ND DOT. Be advised you may be required to submit additional paperwork.
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title in North Dakota
If you lose your vehicle’s title, or it becomes damaged or stolen, you must replace the vehicle’s title. If you purchased a vehicle but lost the vehicle’s title before you can transfer ownership of the vehicle, the previous vehicle owner is required to apply for a duplicate vehicle title before a new vehicle title can be issued to you.
Individuals who have power of attorney, the owner’s personal representative, lien holders, or the registered owner can apply for a duplicate vehicle title in North Dakota. You can apply for a duplicate vehicle title in-person or by mail at your local ND DOT office, excluding the Williston office.
To successfully apply for a duplicate vehicle title in North Dakota, you need to:
- Fill out the Application for Certificate of Title & Registration of a Vehicle (Form SFN 2872)
- Show your registration certificate
- Provide your reason for requesting a duplicate vehicle title (such as the title being lost, stolen, or an illegible title, etc.)
- Pay the ND duplicate vehicle title fee of $5
If you prefer to mail your duplicate vehicle title application, mail the application to the following address:
Department of Transportation
Motor Vehicle Division
608 E. Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, ND 58505
If there is currently a lien on the vehicle, the vehicle’s title will be mailed to the lien holder.
Transferring a Vehicle Title With a Lien
Hooray! You paid off the loan on your vehicle. Now that you’ve paid off your vehicle loan, you need to take the following documentation and payment to your local ND DOT office to complete the vehicle title transfer process and receive a vehicle title in your name:
- Certificate of title (be advised, the lien holder is required to complete the “seller’s assignment and warranty of title” section, and you must complete the “purchaser’s certification and application” section of the vehicle title.
- A completed Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement (Form SFN 18609) if the vehicle is less than 9 years old
- Payment for the vehicle title transfer of $5 and tax (if applicable)
Keep in mind, if you started the vehicle lease before July 1, 2021, you are exempt from vehicle tax. Otherwise, you are required to pay a 5% tax.
How Much Does a Title Transfer Cost in North Dakota?
The North Dakota DOT requires drivers in this state to pay a $5 vehicle title transfer fee when they transfer ownership of a motor vehicle. To successfully finalize a vehicle title transfer in ND, drivers in this state need to provide payment for all applicable transfer fees that are required to be submitted along with the necessary paperwork.
Be advised, you may also be required to pay a 5% sales tax for purchased vehicles. Other fees you may be required to pay include vehicle registration or license renewal fees if your vehicle’s paperwork is not current.
Where Can I Go to Transfer a Vehicle Title in New Hampshire?
There are different DOT locations in North Dakota where you can transfer a vehicle’s title.
How to Fill Out the New Hampshire Title and Title Transfer Forms
Correctly filling out the North Dakota vehicle title and vehicle title transfer forms require you to obtain the required signatures of the vehicle’s buyer and seller in the designated areas of the vehicle title. Make sure you create a bill of sale that discloses information pertaining to the vehicle, such as its year, make, model, and color. You also need to provide the vehicle’s VIN.
If you sold a vehicle instead of gifting one, you need to make sure you add the correct sales tax to the vehicle’s total price. Find the “transfer of title by seller” section of the vehicle’s title, and provide an accurate odometer reading. Make sure the recipient of the vehicle signs the title in the required spaces.
Keep in mind, you may be required to submit additional documentation, such as a valid North Dakota vehicle insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage limits. You may also need to submit a valid government-issued photo ID or a foreign passport as proof of identification.
My Car Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?
Your vehicle’s title can be signed, but not transferred, which means it has an open title. When a vehicle has an open title, this means the seller of the vehicle didn’t transfer ownership of or register the vehicle in their name.
Since the vehicle seller’s name isn’t listed on the vehicle’s title, this individual doesn’t assume any legal responsibility for anything associated with the vehicle, including taxes and fees.
If the vehicle seller loses the vehicle’s title, they can request a duplicate ND vehicle title (Form SFN 2872), and sign it over to you for you to put in your name. Be advised, the individual who is listed on the vehicle’s is responsible for requesting a duplicate vehicle title.