How To Transfer a Car Title in Utah

When you’re transferring a car title to a family member in Utah, it is essential to ensure that you have all the right information to do it properly. Failure to appropriately complete the transfer process can have many different negative consequences.

To help ensure that you manage the title process as well as possible, we’re going to discuss how to transfer car ownership to family in Utah. Whether you want to gift or sell your car to a family member, this article will cover all the essentials.

Family Title Transfer in Utah: Step-By-Step

Accomplishing a successful family title transfer in Utah is actually fairly simple. Let’s take a step-by-step look at how to transfer a car title to a family member in Utah.

There are two different options here. We’ll discuss both of them below.

Transferring a Title at the DMV

The more traditional option is to visit your nearest DMV in person and follow the following steps:

• Step One: Ensure that you have all the necessary documentation (a full list is provided below).
• Step Two: Complete the transfer of title form, ensuring that you fill out all the key elements, like:
  • The odometer reading
  • The original title
  • Your current, valid, mailing address
  • The appropriate, matching VIN number that is the same as that on the vehicle.
• Step Three: If the vehicle is leased, ensure that the lessor has provided you with a power of attorney, as well as their Utah sales tax number, and a billing statement.
• Step Four: Pay any related fees and taxes.
• Step FIve: Wait for the completion of the title transfer process, which can often take between two weeks and two months to complete. 

Transferring a Title Online

The easiest way, in many cases, to transfer car ownership to your family in Utah is to use the online Person-to-Person Title Transfer Tool. Here’s how you can do that:

• Step One: Navigate to the online Utah Motor Vehicle Portal (MVP).
• Step Two: Enter the vehicle’s VIN or HIN, and whether you have access to the vehicle’s current title. If yes, provide the vehicle’s title number. Then click on ‘Next’ in the lower right corner of the page. 
• Step Three: Upload the required documentation in order to continue with the rest of the process.
• Step Four: Pay the taxes and fees related to the process.  
• Step Five: Wait between two and eight weeks for the transfer of ownership or title to go through.

Transferring Ownership of a Titleless Vehicle

In certain cases, the owner of the vehicle may not have the original title or bill of sale. In exceptional cases, you may also be unable to get a duplicate title.

While it isn’t always advisable to buy a vehicle without a title, since it gives you protection against purchasing stolen vehicles, it is possible to register this type of vehicle and get a title for it.

What you’ll need to do is undergo the process mentioned in the Public Insufficient Evidence of Ownership Checklist. This includes submitting the following:

• Printed digital photos of all sides of the vehicle
• An ownership statement covering aspects like how the vehicle was obtained and from whom, and a statement of where and by whom the vehicle was last titled (if you know)
• A detailed description of the vehicle’s condition
• A VIN inspection
• A bill of sale or release of ownership
• An application for title or registration of the vehicle

Once you have submitted all the relevant information, a secondary process ensues to check that the vehicle hasn’t been stolen, the value of the vehicle, and other details.

This process can be quite arduous, so it’s always best to ask the original owner to request a duplicate title. Only go through this process if all other options are unavailable to you.

Family Title Transfer in Utah: Required Documentation

There are several essential types of documentation required when you transfer car ownership to your family in Utah. Let’s take a closer look at exactly which kinds of documentation are required. 

• DMV Title Transfer Form – In any type of transfer, you will require a DMV title transfer form. You can easily download the PDF version from the provided link and complete the form before printing it to avoid making mistakes or illegible handwriting.
• Certificate for Title or Duplicate Title – One of the title transfer requirements in  Utah is the provision of the original certificate for title, or a duplicate title. If you don’t have the original title, fill in an Application for Duplicate Utah Title. 
• Application for Utah Title – Whether you are selling a vehicle or transferring ownership to a family member, the new owner will have to complete the Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656). 
• Emissions Inspection Certificate – Whenever you are selling a vehicle, or transferring the title to a new individual, if the vehicle was manufactured in 2022, 2020, or prior to 2019, you will require an emissions inspection certificate.
• Survivor Affidavit – In the case of a transfer from a deceased family member to a surviving family member, you’ll need to fill out a survivor affidavit and have it notarized. 
• Small Estate Affidavit – In certain instances, when it comes to transferring the title from a deceased family member, a small estate affidavit may also be required. This is only necessary in small estates and prevents the person’s assets from going through probate before transfer.
• Public Insufficient Evidence of Ownership – When it comes to cars without a title (and the duplicate is not available), you may need to file a document stating that there is insufficient public evidence of ownership. You can review the related checklist to help you get started.

Family Title Transfer in Utah: Related Fees

When you do a car title transfer in Utah to a family member, there are a few fees to consider, though the overall process probably costs less than you would think.

The most significant fee (merely because it is a given and will always be paid) is the title transfer fee which comes in at a grand total of $6.

If there is a lien on the vehicle, you may also pay an additional fee for adding the lien holder to the title.

Finally, if you are registering a vehicle, this will be a fee of $44 or more, increasing along with the weight of the vehicle. Light motor vehicle registration starts at $44, with heavier vehicles becoming more expensive.

Real-Life Examples of Family Title Transfer in Utah

At times, it can be difficult to comprehend exactly how a title transfer works and how it functions differently in different situations. Below, we’ll take a brief look at a few common real-life situations calling for a title transfer and how they affect the process.

Death of a Family Member

One of the most common reasons for transferring a vehicle title within a family is the death of a relative. 

In this case, the process is somewhat different since the title owner (naturally) can’t sign the transfer documents. However, the title still must be transferred from the original owner to the beneficiary of the vehicle.

When this occurs, the beneficiary must fill in a survivor affidavit and have it notarized, to prove that the original owner is deceased and has left the vehicle to the beneficiary. In the case of small estates (worth under $100,000) they may also need a small estate affidavit to prevent the estate from going through probate.

Apart from the additional documents, the process remains basically the same. 

Transferring Ownership of a Vehicle to a Son or Daughter

Another common reason why people may want to transfer ownership to a family member in Utah is when a parent gives a vehicle to one of their children.

Unlike in the case of purchasing a vehicle, this is a very straightforward person-to-person transfer that simply requires the general title transfer documents as mentioned in the step-by-step process. 

As long as you’re in possession of the title, title duplicate, or bill of sale, and the recipient of the vehicle fills out the application for a title, you have nothing to be concerned about. The process should be simple and can be easily completed online.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, the vehicle transfer process is fairly straightforward, and doesn’t have many moving parts (except in unusual circumstances). By following the steps listed above, and avoiding common mistakes like incomplete paperwork, you can easily transfer the title of your vehicle to a family member.

Family Title Transfer in Utah: Frequently Asked Questions

What is required to transfer a car title in Utah?

In Utah, you will require the original title, a duplicate title, or bill of sale as well as a completed application for Utah title form and an emissions certificate if you’re registering the vehicle.

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

You do not need to pay taxes on a gifted car in Utah. However, you will need to pay sales tax if a vehicle is sold to another person, even within the same family. This will be based on the actual price you paid, and these documents will be reviewed to avoid tax fraud.