How To Transfer a Car Title in Oklahoma

When you are transferring a car title to a family member in the state of Oklahoma, you need to know exactly what the process looks like to avoid potential issues later on. In this article, we’ll discuss how to transfer a car title to a family member in Oklahoma, including the various documentation you need, and a step-by-step set of instructions.

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

While it may sound like a troublesome or complex task to perform, it’s fairly easy to transfer car ownership to your family in Oklahoma. Below, we’ll take a closer look at the process step-by-step, and help you accomplish what you need.

Transferring a Title at the DMV

The title transfer requirements in Oklahoma are fairly straightforward. Here’s how to do that in Oklahoma.

• Step One: Accumulate all the required documentation. A comprehensive list of documents is provided below, so ensure that you have all the documents required for your application.
• Step Two: Fill in all the necessary documents, including the affidavits, application forms, and vehicle title.
• Step Three: Submit the documentation and pay all the requisite fees.
• Step Four: Wait for the completion of the process. It can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on how much pressure the local DMV is facing.

Transferring Ownership of a Titleless Vehicle

In some cases, you may find yourself saddled with a vehicle that doesn’t have a title. The best approach in this situation is to apply for a duplicate title. All you need to do is fill out the Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form 701-7) and submit it to the local DMV.

If you can’t get a duplicate title, you’ll need to complete and submit the Affidavit for Transfer of Ownership Following Loss of Assigned Oklahoma Title (Form 777). Along with this form, you’ll need to submit some kind of proof of ownership for the vehicle. This can be a notarized bill of sale, a canceled check, or another kind of proof of purchase.

Family Title Transfer in Oklahoma: Required Documentation

When you transfer car ownership to your family in Oklahoma, you will need to acquire a range of different documents. These may include the following:

• A Certificate of Title – Without an appropriately assigned and notarized title certificate from the state, it is difficult to transfer a vehicle. Having this certificate also helps to protect buyers from unintentionally purchasing stolen or salvaged vehicles.
• The Vehicle’s Current Registration – Unless you are intentionally giving a junk vehicle to a relative, you will require the current registration in order to transfer a vehicle title to a new owner. 
• Proof of Insurance – When doing a family title transfer in Oklahoma, you will require proof of liability insurance.
• Odometer Disclosure Statement – If your vehicle is nine years old or younger, you will need to complete an odometer disclosure statement for the vehicle in question.
• Proof of Sale/Value – When transferring a vehicle title to another person, you require a proof of value. This may take the form of a bill of sale, purchase contract, or even a  Declaration of Vehicle Purchase Price (Form 722-1).
• Driver’s License or FEI Number – To make a title transfer in Oklahoma, you require a driver’s license or FEI number.
• A Lien Release (Circumstance Dependent) – If the car is under a lien of any sort, you’ll need to acquire a lien release for any active liens.
• Family Affidavit (Form 794) – If you are gifting a vehicle to a family member, you need to fill this form and submit it to your local DMV.
• Application for Oklahoma Certificate of Title for a Vehicle – When doing an Oklahoma car title transfer to a family member, it works the same as buying a used vehicle, and the recipient will need to complete an application for a title certificate. 

Family Title Transfer in Oklahoma: Related Fees

Now that you know how to transfer a car title to a family member in Oklahoma, it’s natural to want to know what kind of fees you may be dealing with. Fortunately, Oklahoma is considered one of the more affordable states for a title transfer.

The main thing to consider here is that you’ll need to pay an ownership transfer fee, which costs around $17.

If the car title is under lien, you will also need to pay a lien processing fee. This will cost you $10 for a lien in state and $13 for a lien outside the state. 

Finally, if you decide to submit the  Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Vehicle (Form 773), which is an optional form, you’ll need to pay a $10 processing fee.  

Real-Life Examples of Family Title Transfer in Oklahoma

While it’s easy to understand that it’s sometimes necessary to transfer a vehicle’s title, it can be difficult to understand this in terms of real-life events. Let’s take a look at a few examples of real-life situations when you may need to know how to transfer a car title to a family member in Oklahoma.

Transferring a Car Title From A Deceased Owner in Oklahoma

One common situation is when a car owner passes away and leaves their vehicle to a family member. Assuming that the vehicle was bequeathed to you in the owner’s will, you can simply submit the following documents to the local DMV:

First, you require a letter from the court that authorizes you to act on behalf of the estate. Furthermore, you require a certified death certificate stating that the individual is deceased. You will also need to pay all the applicable fees.

In Oklahoma, the will also needs to go through probate before you can transfer the vehicle’s title.

If there isn’t a valid will leaving ownership of the car to a specific individual, and nobody else has a claim on the vehicle, simply provide the DMV with the deceased’s death certificate, and complete the process as you would with a private sale or transfer of title.

In either situation, if the estate is valued at under $50,000, you may also need to fill out a Small Estate Affidavit (Form 405).

Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle to a Son or Daughter

One more common occurrence is when parents transfer the ownership and title of a vehicle to their children. Whether they bought a new car for their child or they want to transfer a family car to their child, the process is the same. 

However, keep in mind that giving a vehicle as a gift means you need to fill out and submit a Family Affidavit (Form 794) to your local DMV. For a purchase within the family, the process is exactly the same as with a second-hand vehicle purchase.

Simply submit all the relevant documentation, as listed above, pay the fees, and wait for the process. It’s important to ensure that you fill out the certificate of title, odometer disclosure statement, and application for an Oklahoma certificate of title. Do not neglect to fill out and sign these documents, as it can lead to frustration and delays. 

Final Thoughts

As is readily apparent, the process to transfer car ownership to family in Oklahoma is reasonably simple. It’s important to note that you can’t get a title loan in Oklahoma on a vehicle for which you do not have the title.

As long as you have all the required documentation, and you ensure that you don’t make any mistakes on the required forms, you should accomplish the vehicle title transfer without any issues. 

Family Title Transfer in Oklahoma: Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to transfer title in Oklahoma?

In Oklahoma, you require the following items to successfully transfer a vehicle title: An assigned and notarized certificate of title for the vehicle, a valid driver’s license (or a FEI number), a verification of liability insurance, and a lien release for any liens on the vehicle. 

You also require an odometer disclosure statement, if the vehicle was manufactured in the last nine years, and a bill of sale, Declaration of Vehicle Purchase Price, or purchase contract.

Can a non-resident register a vehicle in Oklahoma?

Yes they can. Any non-resident, whether from out of state or another country, will have to register their vehicle in the state of Oklahoma if it is present in the state for more than 60 days. The same applies to cars purchased out-of-state by Oklahoma residents. The vehicle has to be registered in Oklahoma after purchase.

What is the penalty for not transferring title within 30 days in Oklahoma?

All tags are penalty-free for 30 days, applying to both new vehicles and vehicles brought in from out-of-state. After that the penalty is generally around $1 per day, accruing to a maximum of $100 per year. However, this may vary depending on weight and vehicle class, it’s best to check directly with the DMV to find out what the potential penalties are.