Texas department of motor vehicles title transfer

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Vehicle Services

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Back to Tax Assessor Home Page
Register your vehicle
Renew your vehicle registration
Vehicle registration fees
New to Texas?
County Tax Assessor-Collectors
What are the steps to transferring a car title Texas?
Can a car title be transferred online in Texas?
Do you need a notary to transfer a car title in Texas?
Can you transfer a car title electronically?

By working closely with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles and the local Dealers, we hope to offer our customers the most convenient and efficient service possible.

Since the introduction of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle’s computerized Registration and Title System (RTS) in 1995, the transaction time for registrations and titles in our offices has been reduced greatly. Also, titles are now delivered to customers approximately three weeks from the transaction date instead of six to eight weeks, as it was prior to RTS implementation.

The Tax Office offers a number of ways to conduct your automobile transactions. The purchase of registration stickers and the transfer of titles can be done through the mail. We now offer Online Vehicle Registration; to access this feature, click here.

*Please note that you will need to have your license plate number and the last four digits of your VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in order to renew your registration online. For more information on these services, please call the Tax Office at 512.393.5545.

Registered vehicle owners can authorize a representative to complete vehicle registration-related business on their behalf. Please download and complete an Authorization Letter and present with a copy of the registered owner’s valid Driver’s License.

Registration Renewal at HEB

You can also renew your registrations at any of these six locations:

H-E-B
200 W. Hopkins St.
San Marcos, TX 78666
Phone: 512.396.0100

H-E-B
641 E. Hopkins St.
San Marcos, Texas 78666
Phone: 512.396.8880

H-E-B
5401 South FM 1626
Kyle, Texas 78640
Phone: 512.268.7900

H-E-B
15300 S IH 35
Buda, Texas 78610
Phone: 512.312.1615

H-E-B
14501 Ranch Road 12
Wimberley, TX 78676
Phone:512.842.3700

H-E-B
598 E. Hwy US 290
Dripping Springs, Texas 78620
Phone: 512.858.2972

Each day, our employees field hundreds of calls about registrations and titles. To view the most frequently asked questions and corresponding answers, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

DMV Forms

A wide variety of forms are required to process the various transactions involving vehicles. Visit the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to view or print DMV forms: https://www.txdmv.gov/forms.

Below are links to some of the most common forms:

130-U (Application for Texas Title and/or Registration) VTR-214 (Application for Persons with Disabilities Parking Placard and/or License Plate) VTR-34 (Application for Certified Copy of Title)

The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) offers a wide variety of specialized license plates. Customize your license plate, choose from one of many license plates designed to pay tribute to the U.S. Military, or express support for your special interest, favorite college, university, professional sports team or other organization.

Order your specialized license plates at any Hays County Tax Office. Click here to visit the TxDMV website where you can see the variety of plates offered and the fees charged for each.

For more information about Motor Vehicles, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Register your vehicle

There are several steps to register your vehicle with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.

1. Have your vehicle inspected at a certified inspection station.

Texas requires state-registered vehicles to pass an annual inspection to ensure compliance with safety standards. Learn about the Vehicle Inspection Program on the Texas Department of Public Safety website.
Find an inspection station.

2. Show insurance coverage for the required minimums per person, per accident, and for property damage.

3. Get your vehicle registration and sticker at your local county Tax Assessor Collector office.

Renew your vehicle registration

There are several ways to renew your vehicle registration. Remember, you must have a passing vehicle inspection before you can renew.

Online. You can renew your vehicle registration online 90 days before the expiration date or up to six months after the expiration date, if you have not received a citation for expired registration. If you renew online, you’ll receive $1.00 discount. There are two online renewal options:
- Renew with Texas by Texas (TxT). TxT is an official, account-based digital government assistant that provides an even easier, faster, and more secure way for Texans to take care of government services – like vehicle registration renewal. To learn more about TxT and create an account, visit the Texas by Texas page on Texas.gov.
- Complete the Vehicle Registration Renewal application. If you don’t want to create a TxT account, you can still use this online option to renew.
Mail. Send the renewal notice, a copy of your Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR), proof of current liability insurance, and all fees to your county Tax Assessor- Collector office.
In-person. Take your registration renewal notice and proof of current liability insurance to your county’s Tax Assessor-Collector office or an approved substation.

Vehicle registration fees

Vehicle registration fees vary based on the type and weight of the vehicle you’re registering.

New to Texas?

If you’re a new Texas resident, you have 30 days to register your vehicle.

County Tax Assessor-Collectors

County Tax Assessor-Collector offices handle most vehicle title and registration services on behalf of TxDMV. These services include:

Registration renewals (license plates and registration stickers).
Vehicle title transfers.
Change of address on motor vehicle records.
Non-fee license plates such as Purple Heart and Disabled Veterans license plates.
Disabled parking placards.
Copies of registration receipts.
Temporary registration.

What are the steps to transferring a car title Texas?

To transfer a Texas titled vehicle, bring in or mail the following to our offices:.

Texas title, signed and dated by the seller(s) and buyer(s). ... .

VTR-130U (Application for Texas title), signed and dated by the seller(s) and buyer(s). ... .

Proof of insurance in the buyer's name..

Acceptable form of ID..

Proof of inspection..

Can a car title be transferred online in Texas?

1. TO COMPLETE THE TX MOTOR VEHICLE TRANSFER NOTIFICATION ONLINE: *PREFERRED METHOD* If possible, we highly recommend completing forms online instead of by mail, so you may easily save and print out a copy for your records that includes a date/timestamp.

Do you need a notary to transfer a car title in Texas?

While some states require the signatures to be notarized, Texas doesn't. You can have your signatures notarized if you wish, but this isn't a required step to legally transfer a title in your state.

Can you transfer a car title electronically?

They can be submitted electronically, in person or through the mail. Make sure you provide the necessary fees and documentation in order to receive your title.