How To Transfer a Car Title in Vermont 2026
Vermont law requires the seller to sign the certificate of title over to the purchaser at the time the vehicle is delivered. Under 23 V.S.A. § 2023, the seller must complete the title assignment at delivery and provide the signed certificate to the purchaser or to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The title application and all fees must be received by the Vermont DMV within 30 days of the transfer date.
Required Documents for Title Transfer in Vermont
| Document | Party Responsible | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title (assigned) | Seller | All owners on the title must sign the assignment; all existing liens must be released before transfer |
| Form VD-119 – Vehicle Registration, Tax, and Title Application | Purchaser | Primary application form; covers registration, tax, and title in one submission |
| Form VT-005 – Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement | Both parties | Required for all transfers; odometer section is mandatory for model year 2011 and newer vehicles |
| Valid Government-Issued Photo ID | Purchaser | Required at time of submission |
| Lien Release | Seller / Lienholder | Required if a lien is recorded on the existing title; lienholder must sign before transfer can proceed |
| Current Registration Certificate | Seller | Registration expires upon transfer; must be returned to the Commissioner with the transfer date and new owner information noted on the back |
| VIN Verification | Purchaser | Required for vehicles with salvage documentation, bonded titles, or any vehicle previously registered outside the United States |
| Affidavit of Non-Titled Vehicle | Purchaser | Required when no title record appears in the NMVTIS database; must be signed before a notary |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in Vermont
Step 1: Execute the Title Assignment
The seller completes the assignment section on the back of the existing certificate of title. The following information is required:
- Purchaser's full legal name and mailing address
- Date of sale and declared purchase price
- Current odometer reading (mandatory for model year 2011 and newer vehicles)
- Signatures of all owners listed on the certificate
All owners must sign. If the title reflects joint ownership (e.g., JTEN, TEN ENT, TEN COM), each co-owner must execute the assignment. A damaged or illegible certificate cannot be used; a replacement title must be obtained before proceeding.
Step 2: Complete the Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure
Both the seller and the purchaser must sign Form VT-005, the combined Bill of Sale and Odometer Disclosure Statement. The form must include the vehicle's VIN, year, make, model, sale date, purchase price, and odometer reading at the time of transfer. The odometer disclosure section is a federal and state requirement for vehicles of model year 2011 or newer. Both parties should retain a copy for their records.
Step 3: Compile All Required Documentation
The purchaser collects all documents listed in the Required Documents section above. Key points to note:
- If a lienholder holds the original title, the lienholder must either send the certificate to the purchaser or forward it directly to the Commissioner along with the purchaser's title application.
- The DMV checks the NMVTIS database on all title transactions. If an active title record is detected and the prior certificate cannot be obtained, the Vermont Title Bond process must be completed before the transfer can proceed.
- If a prior Vermont registration (rather than a title) serves as the ownership document for older vehicles, that registration and all subsequent bills of sale must be included to establish a complete chain of ownership.
Step 4: Complete and Submit Form VD-119
The purchaser completes all sections of the Vermont Motor Vehicle Registration, Tax, and Title Application (Form VD-119). Section 8 of the form requires the Purchase and Use Tax to be calculated based on the purchase price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is greater. The completed application and all supporting documents may be submitted in one of two ways:
- In Person: Deliver all documents to any Vermont DMV office. Office locations and hours are listed on the DMV Locations page.
- By Mail: Send all documents to Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603. Mail submissions must include a J.D. Power vehicle valuation printout dated within the prior seven days.
Step 5: Pay All Applicable Fees and Taxes
All title fees, registration fees, and Purchase and Use Tax are due upon submission of the application. The Purchase and Use Tax rate is 6% of the purchase price or the J.D. Power clean trade-in value, whichever is greater. Limited credits and exemptions may apply; qualifying conditions are listed on the tax exemptions page.
The complete title fee schedule and registration fee schedule are listed below.
| Fee Type | Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title – New | $42.00 |
| Certificate of Title – Replacement | $42.00 |
| Certificate of Title – Corrected | $42.00 |
| Lien Recording (each) | $14.00 |
| Title Search | $27.00 |
| Registration Transfer – Car / Motorcycle / Truck / Trailer | $30.00 |
| Registration – Auto (1 Year, Gasoline / Diesel) | $91.00 |
| Registration – Auto (1 Year, Plug-in Hybrid) | $135.50 |
| Registration – Auto (1 Year, Battery Electric) | $178.00 |
| Purchase and Use Tax | 6% of purchase price or J.D. Power clean trade-in value (whichever is greater) |
| Maximum Tax – Heavy Trucks (10,100+ lb) / Other Vehicles | $2,486.00 |
Step 6: Receive the New Certificate of Title
Once the application is processed, the new certificate of title is mailed to the owner of record. If the vehicle has an outstanding loan, the title is sent directly to the lienholder and held until the loan is paid off. Processing and delivery typically take up to three weeks from the date the registration is completed.
Contact Information
Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603
Phone: (802) 828-2000
Official Website: Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles
