How To Transfer a Car Title in Nevada

When you do a family title transfer in Nevada, it’s essential that you fully understand the ins and outs of the process. Failure to understand the process and fulfill all the requirements can lead to a frustrating series of events. 

In this article, we’ll take you through the process step-by-step, including the required documentation and examples of when and how the process may change.

How to Transfer Car Ownership to Family in Nevada: Step-By-Step

While you may expect it to be a fairly complex process, it’s relatively easy to meet the Nevada title transfer requirements. Below, we’ll discuss these requirements in detail.

Transferring a Title at the DMV

The best way to accomplish a Nevada car title transfer to a family member is to visit the Department of Motor Vehicles. Here’s how the process works:

• Step One: Ensure that you have gathered all the required documentation (A comprehensive list is available below).
• Step Two: Complete the title transfer form (we’ll discuss that in detail in a moment).
• Step Three: Pay all the relevant fees and taxes.
• Step Four: Wait for the completion of the process. Expect to wait several weeks or possibly a few months.

How to Complete the Title Transfer Form

The title transfer form is likely the most complex part of the entire process, and the place where mistakes are most likely to slip in. Let’s discuss some of the details of this process, and which mistakes you should avoid.

The title transfer process in Nevada isn’t as difficult as you might think, but it’s absolutely essential to ensure that you complete each of the essential steps on the form.

First, ensure that you get all of the owners listed on the original title to sign and date the assignment section of the title (located on the back of the title). Second, ensure that all the buyers are listed on the new title and that they sign and date the title.

Getting these signatures is extremely important, and it’s also often one of the stages in the process where people make the most mistakes. Make no mistake, this is an essential part of the whole ordeal.

Next, ensure that you get an odometer reading for the vehicle. It must be both recorded and witnessed for the form, and you cannot change this number after filling it in. If you make changes, your form may be rejected. If that happens, you’ll need to get a duplicate title before the transaction is finalized.

Remember to ensure that the VIN on the form matches the VIN on the vehicle; otherwise, you may experience delays in the title processing experience. 

It’s worth noting that you can accelerate the process by filling the Application for Expedited Processing. However, there may be an additional fee involved if you do. 

Transferring Ownership of a Titleless Vehicle

While it is possible to transfer ownership of a vehicle without a title, it isn’t recommended. It’s best to apply for a duplicate title before completing the transfer. If that isn’t a possibility, contact the DMV to provide you with the information you need to complete the process without a title.

Family Title Transfer in Nevada: Required Documentation

Now that you know how to transfer a car title to a family member in Nevada, let’s take a closer look at the documentation required to complete the transfer process.

• The Original Title – When doing a title transfer, you need to provide the original title document, signed and dated by both the original owner and the recipient of the vehicle.
• The Application for Vehicle Registration – The recipient of the vehicle needs to complete an application for registration of a vehicle. 
• Evidence of Your Insurance Card – To successfully transfer ownership of the vehicle, you need evidence of an insurance card from a valid Nevada insurance carrier.
• An Emissions Inspection Certificate – When appropriate, you need to acquire an emissions inspection certificate for your vehicle. It helps to ensure that the vehicle produces emissions within safe amounts. However, this certificate is only required if the vehicle is gasoline-powered, diesel-powered, manufactured after 1968, a new vehicle on its third registration cycle, or a hybrid in its sixth model year. 
• The Current Odometer Reading – To successfully transfer a vehicle title, you need a current and accurate odometer reading. 
• The Title Transfer Form – You will need to fill out the title transfer form before you can transfer ownership of your vehicle to a family member in Nevada. 

Family Title Transfer in Nevada: Related Fees

If you’ve been considering the fees related to Nevada car title transfer to a family member, rest assured. We’ve compiled a list of all the essential fees that are involved with the process.

The first applicable fee is for a complete change of ownership, which costs $28.25 per vehicle. 

If you require a duplicate of the original title, it will cost you $20 if you receive the title in Nevada and $35 if you receive the document outside of the state.

In Nevada, you can also opt to add a secondary owner to a vehicle title rather than go through the transfer process. This process costs $20.

Real-Life Examples of Family Title Transfer in Nevada

There are several reasons why you may want to transfer car ownership to your family in Nevada, but it can be difficult to wrap your head around practical applications for the process. Below, we’ll take a closer look at a few examples.

Death of a Family Member

One common reason for the transfer of a vehicle title to a family member is when a family member dies and leaves their vehicle to a family member. There are two approaches to this. 

The first approach is that the vehicle owner can fill out a Transfer on Death form when applying for a title. By stipulating who will receive your car when you die, it makes it considerably easier for them to transfer the title with little to no additional effort. It also prevents the vehicle from getting caught in probate.

However, if the vehicle owner didn’t fill out the Transfer on Death form before passing away, you can still successfully accomplish the title transfer. You will need to present the death certificate for the previous owner and a declaration from the court stating that you are the person who should receive the vehicle. 

Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle to a Son or Daughter

Another common reason why you may see people transferring ownership to a family member is when people want to give a vehicle to a son or daughter. 

Fortunately, this qualifies as a simple person-to-person title transfer and is relatively easy to process. Whether it’s because you’ve bought a car for your progeny, or you’ve been saving a car for them, it’s a relatively easy and straightforward process.

Simply fill the title transfer form and ensure that your son or daughter fills the application for a title form. 

Essentially, you go through the same process as you would for selling a car. However, instead of providing a bill of sale and filling in a purchase price, you write ‘Gift’ in the purchase price field. Do not write ‘0’ as it can be changed to a different number after the fact and result in your child having to pay additional fees.

It really is an incredibly simple process, and you shouldn’t encounter any problems. However, if you have additional questions, you can contact your nearest DMV and find out from them directly. They’ll be able to answer any questions you may have quickly and easily. 

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the transfer [process in Nevada is relatively simple as long as you have the appropriate documentation. There are relatively few required steps, which makes it a relatively painless process, especially when you use the online portal.  

It’s important to remember that you need to have the car’s title before you can get a car title loan in Nevada.

Family Title Transfer in Nevada: Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to transfer a car title in Nevada?

When transferring the ownership or title of a vehicle in the state of Nevada, you will require a signed title, an application for vehicle registration, proof of insurance, a current and accurate odometer reading, the vehicle’s VIN, and a bill of sale.

Do I have to pay taxes on a gifted car in Nevada?

No, you do not have to pay taxes on gifted cars in Nevada. You also won’t need to pay sales tax when selling a vehicle within your own family. It is essential, when gifting a car in Nevada, to create a bill of sale, assign the title to the new owner, fill out an affidavit declaring the gift transfer of a motor vehicle, and have the recipient register the car.

Can you register a car with a bill of sale and no title in Nevada?

No, you’ll need more than just a bill of sale in the state of Nevada. The current owner should provide the title or apply for a duplicate title. If this isn’t possible, contact the DMV for further assistance.