There are specific documents you need to successfully transfer your vehicle’s title in Washington, D.C. Some required documents include:
- The seller and buyer must both sign the vehicle title
- Complete the required forms
- Take the vehicle title and required forms to the Washington, D.C. DMV
- Pay the $26 Washington vehicle title transfer fee
Here’s more information regarding the steps and documents that are required to transfer your vehicle’s title in Washington, D.C.
Smog Certification/Vehicle Inspection
All vehicles in Washington, D.C. must pass a vehicle emission test before it can be registered within the district. Once the vehicle passes the emission test, as the vehicle’s owner, you are required to display your emissions test sticker on your windshield on the front bottom passenger side of your vehicle.
Washington D.C. Emissions and Smog Check Requirements
Non-commercial, personal, non-fee-for-hire vehicles that were made in the 1968 model year or newer are required to have an emission test performed every two years.
Most commercial and fee-for-hire vehicles are required to have an emission test performed every year.
Smog Check Exemptions in Washington, D.C.
Certain vehicles are exempt from smog checks in the District of Columbia. If you own one of the following vehicles, a smog check is not required:
- A new personal non-commercial vehicle that was made in the past 4 model years that possesses a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin
- Motorized bicycles, mopeds, motorcycles
- Zero-emissions vehicles (diesel and electric personal trailers and vehicles)
- Vehicles for personal use made in the 1968 model year or earlier
How to Transfer Your Vehicle Title in Washington, D.C.?
Transferring your vehicle’s title in Washington, D.C. doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Whether you’re a new resident of this district, or you’re buying or selling a vehicle, you are required to transfer the vehicle’s title.
Transferring a Vehicle’s Title As a New Resident of Washington, D.C.
Welcome to the U.S. capital! As a new resident of this district, you are required to register and title your vehicle with the D.C. DMV. You must handle your initial vehicle registration in person at your local DC DMV service center. At this time, you are not allowed to register your vehicle initially online, by mail, or by phone.
New Residents of Washington, D.C.
After you move to Washington, D.C., you are required to register your vehicle within 60 days. To register your vehicle, you need to have the following:
- A valid D.C. driver’s license
- The title for your vehicle(s)
- A valid D.C. auto insurance policy
- A vehicle inspection(s)
In order to register your vehicle in D.C., you must visit your local D.C. DMV service center. In this district, you can title and register your vehicle simultaneously.
You are required to present:
- Proof of ownership (bill of sale, manufacturer’s certificate of origin, signed vehicle title)
- Previous vehicle registration (if you purchase a vehicle from a private party)
- Your valid Washington, D.C. driver’s license or ID card
- Proof of a valid D.C. auto insurance policy
- Proof of a vehicle inspection (only for used vehicles)
- A vehicle with a valid inspection sticker does not require an inspection until the sticker expires
- If your vehicle registration has already expired, you can apply for temporary vehicle registration to get a vehicle inspection
- Loan contract information, if applicable (you will not be able to register your vehicle until the D.C. DMV receives your vehicle title information from the lien holder
- Lease contract information (if applicable)
- Payment for all required D.C. taxes and fees
Temporary D.C. Registration or Tags
If you just purchased a vehicle that has an unexpired D.C. inspection, you are not required to obtain temporary registration, and you can register your vehicle immediately.
The D.C. DMV issues temporary registrations (hard tags) that are valid for 45 days. They issue these temporary registrations to residents who need a vehicle inspection to convert their out-of-state registration or need to register a newly purchased vehicle. This includes:
- Out-of-state residents who recently purchased a used vehicle
- New D.C. residents who have not had their vehicles inspected
- New D.C. residents with expired out-of-state vehicle tags who are waiting for a vehicle title
In order to apply for temporary D.C. registration tags, you need to visit your local D.C. DMV office and present:
- Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001)
- Signed vehicle title
- Proof of a valid D.C. auto insurance policy
- Valid D.C. driver’s license or ID card
- Payment for the temporary D.C. registration or tag fee, title, and lien holder fees
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle Purchased From a Private Seller
If you recently purchased a vehicle from a private party (the same as a private seller), you need the following items to complete a D.C. vehicle title transfer:
- Valid Washington, D.C. ID card or driver’s license
- Vehicle title certificate (original title ONLY. Copies are not accepted) The vehicle title must be completed by the buyer and seller
- A Certificate of Title/Temporary Registration and Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001)
- Proof of the vehicle’s odometer reading
- The lien or lease contract (if applicable)
- Payment for all applicable D.C. vehicle title transfer fees and taxes
The above-listed documentation must be submitted to your local D.C. DMV office. Your new D.C. vehicle title will arrive in the mail within 10 business days. Once your vehicle title arrives, you must register your vehicle.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle Purchased From a Dealership
If you purchased a new vehicle from the dealership, you are required to submit the following documentation if the dealership does not submit the required documentation to the D.C. DMV on your behalf:
- The original Certificate of Origin
- Your valid D.C. driver’s license or ID card
- A bill of sale
- The dealer’s odometer statement
- A Certificate of Title/Temporary Registration and Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001)
- Lien or Lessee contract (if applicable)
- Payment for all applicable D.C. auto title transfer fees
The above-stated documentation must be submitted in person at your local D.C. DMV office.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle You’re Selling in Washington, D.C.
If you’re selling your vehicle to an individual in D.C., you need to take the following steps:
- Remove your vehicle tags from the vehicle and transfer them to a different car you own, or return them to the D.C. DMV by mail or in person.
- Provide the vehicle’s buyer with the original vehicle title (you need to complete all required sections as the “Seller”)
If you have over 6 months remaining on your vehicle registration at the time of the sale, you can request a refund of the unused portion of the registration from the D.C. DMV.
How to Transfer a Vehicle Title When the Owner is Deceased?
When the owner of a vehicle passes away, if you are the beneficiary, you must transfer the vehicle’s title. As the beneficiary, you can keep the vehicle, sell it, or gift the vehicle to a family member.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle in a Probated Estate
The car title transfer process in the situation of a probated estate depends on whether the vehicle’s title was solely in the individual’s name as a descendant or joint ownership. If the vehicle title was only in the descendant’s name, you need to know if the estate is being probated.
Probate is the legal process that involves administering the estate of the deceased. This legal process occurs when there is no beneficiary or living spouse presented on the will. The probate validates the deceased’s assets and property and proves the last will and testament are legitimate. The Probate Court will determine how you need to proceed with the individual’s belongings. During this process, the deceased person’s property will be distributed based on their will.
If the vehicle in the estate is part of probate, you are required to follow these steps to transfer the vehicle title of the owner who is deceased:
Contact an Attorney or Probate Court
A vehicle’s title will not be transferred until the probate process is complete, so the administrator of the deceased or the executor needs to contact the Probate Court or an attorney immediately to receive further instructions regarding the next steps in the probate process. When the probate process is complete, the heir will receive the vehicle, unless the vehicle was left to the executor. If the vehicle was left to the executor, they can choose to sell the vehicle.
Gather the Necessary Documents
While the required documentation to transfer the vehicle title of a deceased person varies from one state to another, in Washington, D.C., you need to submit all the following documents in order to successfully transfer the vehicle’s title:
- Certificate of title
- Order from Probate Court to transfer the vehicle
- Death certificate
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Transfer fee
Visit the Title Office
If you are listed as the administrator of the deceased individual’s estate or the beneficiary, you can visit your local D.C. title office with the above-listed documentation to initiate the vehicle title transfer process.
How to Transfer a Vehicle Title Without Probate
The steps you need to follow to transfer the title of a vehicle without probate will vary depending on the state in which you reside. In Washington, D.C., the deceased person’s property can’t exceed a certain amount and a specific amount of time needs to have passed since the person passed away before the vehicle title transfer can be initiated.
If you are the administrator, spouse, joint-owner, or beneficiary, you may only be requested to provide the death certificate and the vehicle’s title to your local D.C. title office, and they will retitle the vehicle’s title without a court order or an attorney.
Transferring the Title of an Inherited Vehicle in Washington, D.C.
If you inherited a vehicle, the steps required to complete a vehicle title transfer from a deceased individual will depend on the size of the estate.
To apply for a vehicle title transfer in D.C. under these circumstances, you will need:
- The assignment of ownership of the vehicle by:
- The deceased personal representative (only for large estates)
- The relevant person assigned by the probate court (for small estates)
- A Certificate of Title/Temporary Registration and Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001)
- A copy of the death certificate
- The petition for probate
- The letters testamentary of administration (authenticated) and issued to the personal representative (for large estates)
- The small estate order (copy) for small estates
Inheriting a Vehicle From a Joint Owner
Are you listed as a co-owner on a vehicle title and the vehicle owner is deceased? You can obtain a new vehicle title in your name by submitting the following documents at your local D.C. DMV office in person:
- Certificate of title
- Authenticated death certificate
- Payment for all applicable fees
How to Transfer Ownership of a Vehicle Without a Title in Washington, D.C.?
You can’t transfer a vehicle’s title without the original title. If you have lost or damaged the vehicle title, or the vehicle title was stolen, you must request a duplicate vehicle title.
Can I Gift a Car to a Family Member?
Yes! You can gift a vehicle to a family member. To apply for a D.C. vehicle title transfer when you obtain a vehicle as a gift, the process you will follow is similar to the process of buying a vehicle. You will be exempt from paying the excise tax if the vehicle donor is your spouse, parent, or your former or current domestic partner. As far as a spouse is concerned, it can be your current, divorced, or separated spouse.
If you qualify for the excise tax exemption, you will also need to complete and submit the Excise Tax Gift Tax Exemption Form (Form DMV-EGTE-01)
Transferring a Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title
When you are transferring ownership of a vehicle from a different state, you must obtain specific documents to successfully complete the process. These required documents include:
- Proof of D.C. residency
- A valid D.C. driver’s license or ID card
- Proof of a completed vehicle inspection (for used and commercial vehicles)
- Proof of a valid D.C. auto insurance policy
- Car title
- Payment for the applicable D.C. vehicle title and registration fees
Be advised, that you may be required to submit additional paperwork to complete the vehicle title transfer process.
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title in Washington, D.C.
You can replace your lost, damaged, or stolen Washington, D.C. vehicle title online, by mail, or in person at your local DC DMV office service location.
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title Online
You must request a duplicate vehicle title if you’re applying online. You need to visit the Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles website to request a duplicate D.C. vehicle title online.
You need to provide the title number and the last four characters of the vehicle identification number (VIN). The duplicate vehicle title fee is $26. If you experience any issues, you can contact the D.C. Citywide Call Center by dialing 311 or by calling (202) 737-4404.
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title By Mail or In Person
When you apply for a duplicate D.C. vehicle certificate of title by mail or in person, the D.C. DMV requires you to provide the following documents and payment(s):
- Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application (Form DMV-CTA-001) All vehicle owners are required to sign this completed form.
- A valid form of identification for each vehicle owner (valid D.C. driver’s license, learner’s permit, or identification card, as long as it’s not expired)
- Vehicle identification. The D.C. DMV accepts any of the following forms of identification:
- Registration renewal notice
- Registration card
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- Title number
- Tag (license plate) number
- Payment for the D.C. replacement title fee of $26
You can also mail the required documents with photocopies of your proof of identification to the following address:
D.C. DMV
P.O. Box 90120
Washington, D.C. 20090
Transferring a Vehicle Title With a Lien
Hooray! You paid off your vehicle loan. Now, you can have the lien removed from the vehicle title by submitting one of the following documents to the D.C. DMV:
- A letter of financing stating the lien has been satisfied (this statement must be made on company letterhead)
- A certified loan agreement with the bank’s “paid” stamp
- The certificate of title with a lien release stamp
You must take one of the above-listed documents to your local D.C. DMV office and apply for a duplicate D.C. vehicle title.
How Much Does a Vehicle Title Transfer Cost in Washington, D.C.?
There are different vehicle title transfer costs in Washington, D.C. Here are the standard vehicle title fees:
- New vehicle title/title transfer fee: $26
- Duplicate vehicle title certificate: $26
- Lien recording: $20 per lien
- Excise tax:
- Vehicles that weigh 3,499 pounds or less: 6% of market value
- Vehicles that weigh 3,500 to 4,999 pounds: 7% of market value
- Vehicles that weigh 5,000 pounds or more: 8% of market value
Be advised, some vehicles will be exempt from excise tax, including:
- Hybrid vehicles
- Gifted vehicles (between eligible parties)
Where Can I Go to Transfer a Vehicle Title in Washington, D.C.?
There are multiple DMV locations in Washington, D.C. where you can transfer your vehicle’s title.
Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
3222 M St. NW
Washington, DC 20007
(202) 737-4404
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (8:15 AM to 4 PM)
Sunday and Monday (Closed)
Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
955 Lenfant Plz SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 737-4404
Monday – Friday (8:15 AM to 4PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
95 M St. SW
Washington, DC 20024
(202) 737-4404
Tuesday – Friday (8:15 AM to 4 PM)
Saturday, Sunday, and Monday (Closed)
Washington, D.C. Department of Motor Vehicles
2350 Washington Place
NE Suite 112N
Washington, DC, 20018
(202) 737-4404
Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday (8:15 AM to 4 PM)
Thursday (9:15 AM to 4 PM)
Saturday, Sunday, Monday (Closed)
How to Fill Out the Washington, D.C. Title and Title Transfer Forms
In order to ensure you complete the Washington, D.C. vehicle title and title transfer forms, you need to ensure the required signatures of the vehicle’s seller and buyer in the designated areas on the vehicle title. You also need to create a bill of sale that provides information about the vehicle, such as its make, year, model, and color. Don’t forget to include the vehicle’s VIN.
If you sold a vehicle and didn’t gift it, the correct sales tax needs to be added to the vehicle’s total price. In the “transfer of title by seller” section of the vehicle title, provide an odometer reading, and make sure the recipient of the vehicle signs the vehicle’s title in the designated spaces.
Be advised that you may be required to provide additional documentation, such as a valid South Dakota vehicle insurance policy that meets or exceeds the state’s minimum coverage limits. You may also be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID or a foreign passport for a valid proof of identification.
My Vehicle Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?
When a vehicle’s title is signed but never transferred, the vehicle has an open title. An open vehicle title means the vehicle’s seller didn’t transfer ownership of or register the vehicle in their name.
Since the vehicle seller’s name is not presented on the vehicle title, they do not assume any legal responsibility for anything associated with the vehicle, including taxes and other fees.
If the vehicle’s seller has lost the title, they can apply for a duplicate D.C. vehicle title (Form DMV-CTA-001) and sign it over to you for you to put in your name. Keep in mind, that the person who is listed on the vehicle’s title must request a duplicate vehicle title.