Whether it’s due to divorce, death, or you’re making ownership-related changes, removing a name from a vehicle title is like a title transfer you get when buying a car. A few details determine who signs and where the signature is placed on the title. When a life event demands you to make changes in title ownership, it’s best to do it sooner rather than later. Keep it quick and clean! Read on for a detailed guide on how to remove a name from your vehicle title.
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Removing a name is just like a transferring a title after selling your car
To be clear, if you’ve read about title transfer here before, this is the same thing. Depending on what state you’re in, you need to gather the usual suspects. The title, the driver license for the buyer (that’s the individual who wants their name to stay on the title, even though they’re not really ‘buying’ a car), and car insurance of course. But where do you sign?
SEE ALSO: HOW TO ADD A NAME TO A CAR TITLE
You can register a vehicle only if the title also lists you as the owner or co-owner
Great question! Even if there’s no money involved, you need a buyer and a seller for purposes of the transfer. The person wanting to be removed from the vehicle title is the “seller” and the remaining party on the title is the “buyer.” So if you’re looking to take your name off the title, all you need to do is head to your local DMV to process your title transfer. Or skip the trip altogether, get online for a title transfer with eTags and remove a name from a title online.
Pro-tip: Change over the vehicle insurance to the new “sole” owner of the vehicle before going to DMV to transfer the title. A lot of folks think they can transfer titles and registrations before getting insurance coverage. Save yourself the hassle of wasted time at the DMV and sort out your insurance first.
Depending on where you reside, your name removal will cost a different fee; for example in Ohio the price starts at $15
Check the owner information on the title; look for “AND” or “OR”
On your vehicle title, watch out for how names are listed in the owner section. In most states, when there are two owners, they’re usually separated by either an “and” or an “or.”
Names separated by “and” mean both owners are required to sign before any action is taken with the car title. The party looking to be removed from the title will sign as the first seller. The person looking to remain/stay on the title will sign both as the co-seller and buyer. When “or” is used, either party is authorized to make changes to the title. Only one person needs to sign as the seller (that’ll be the person wanting to be removed) and the remaining owner is the buyer.
Here’s an example: Brother and sister Mary and Joe are both owners of their 2015 Nissan Altima. Mary decides she’s going to buy a new car and move across the country. She’ll want to relinquish ownership of the vehicle to her brother first. On the title, their names are separated by “and” so both Mary AND Joe will sign as seller and co-seller. Joe will also sign as a buyer and obtain vehicle insurance in only his name for the Nissan. Joe will take the title, his license and his insurance card to the DMV to complete the transfer.
Signatures on vehicle titles have to be clear and in the right spot; mistakes renders the title null and void and you must order a duplicate title
A little advice on purchase price
Make sure your odometer reading is recorded correctly and that your address details are accurate. Leave the selling price on the title, also known as the “purchase price” blank, or write zero. You don’t want to stick the new-ish owner with unnecessary fees for sales tax if it doesn’t apply. They’ll already be paying for state and county fees for title and registration so they can legally drive. Depending on what state you live in, sales tax can be anywhere from 0-9%.
In Arizona when names are separated by “and/or” on the title, the transfer is treated as if the paperwork stated “and;” meaning both owners must sign
What to do when there’s a lienholder on your car
If a lienholder (car loan lender like a bank) is recorded on the title, it could throw a wrench in an otherwise simple transaction. If you have the ability to pay off the lien first, that’s going to be your best option. The lienholder would then provide a lien release notice to submit for the title transfer.
In some states, if the lienholder doesn’t agree to remove their name because payments are still owed on the car or need refinancing, you can’t transfer the title to solely your name. Your personal bank or other financial institution servicing your car loan can help you figure out how to best treat the lien situation. Do you need to refinance your loan should you wish to remove someone from the title or will the lien simply carry over to the remaining owner. Either way, the lienholder has to agree in some capacity to the transaction in order to transfer the title to your name.
Don’t forget to reach out to eTags online should you need any assistance with your title transfer!
19 comments
I would like my name off tha title of nissan
Hi – In most states, this is considered a transfer of title same as if you were selling the vehicle. In this case, you would be the “seller” and the other owner would be the “buyer” and you would complete the title as such, with considerations for whether one or both of you are required to sign as the “seller”. Keep in mind that if the vehicle has a lien and your both named on the loan, you would have to go through the lender to get your name removed.
Streamline the process of removing a name from your vehicle title with this concise guide. Understand seller and buyer roles, update insurance, and ensure a smooth transfer of ownership
I sold a motorcycle 2 years ago and we handed over the title signed for it to be changed into the buyers name. Unfortunately they never took the proper steps to change it over. So it is still in our name. We have been getting tolls bills on it now. Is there anything we can do to change this or get it out of our name?
We’re not sure where you reside, but in CA for example you can complete a notice of transfer and release of liability known as an NRL. So that all activities like unpaid tolls, accidents, parking tickets and such won’t be tied to you.
I can’t find my original title and my car is no longer drivable. I just want to donate it for scrap metal, but need to take my name off the title. How do I do that? I tried looking at the California DMV website, but all their info seems to be about transferring a title, not anything about removing a name for a car that is going to be junked/recycled.
Removing a name from a title still involves a title transfer, the person wanting to be removed from the vehicle title is the “seller” and the remaining party on the title is the “buyer.” If you don’t have the title, you must request a duplicate title.
I put my name on a friend’s car so she can drive it back and forth to work it’s her car and she’s got the tile and registration but now we’re not friends any more so I do I get my name off her car what do I have to do to get my name off her car
Typically to remove a name from a title, you’ll need a title transfer. It’s similar to selling/buying a car.
I gave my son my truck but he never had it switched over in his name and he moved out of state how do I get my name removed and I don’t have the title
Not sure where you reside, but if you don’t have the title you can request a duplicate title then sign over the title to him so he can transfer the title and register under his name only
Me and my ex have a card together my name is the one on the title his assigned on the back but I want my name off he lives in Colorado and I live in Las Vegas how can this be done
eTags doesn’t operate in those states, but typically to remove a name from title is the same process as selling the vehicle. So basically it’s like you’re selling it to him and he transfers it into his own name. If the title has both names separated by AND, you both have to take action, if it’s OR only one of you does. But best to verify DMV laws where vehicle was titled.
My daughter and I are co-borrowers on her car loan. She makes all the payments. She recently got married and I want to change the title to her name only and remove my name. The bank still has the title since the car is not paid off. What is the process in Arkansas?
Hello there, eTags doesn’t operate in AK. However, typically to remove or add a name on a title, you must get a title transfer. It’s as if you’re selling her the car. Check out details with the AK DMV.
I also live in Florida. My granddaughter’s car is paid off, but is registered in both our names. How do I have my name removed from the title? She is 20 years old.
You would have to sign over title to her through a title transfer. Essentially, it’s as if you’re selling it to her. You can transfer online thru eTags
I live in Florida. my husband has just passed away and he has a Motorcycle that is titled in just his name. I do have the POA. Can I sell the motorcyle and sign as POA or do I have to go to the DMV and transfer the title to myself.
Typically in FL, if you’re the spouse you don’t have to transfer title to yourself and then sell..you can use the title you have.