How To Transfer a Car Title in West Virginia 2026
West Virginia law places concurrent obligations on both parties to every motor vehicle title transfer. As codified in West Virginia Code § 17A-4-2, the seller must endorse an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title and deliver the executed certificate to the buyer within 60 days of the date of sale. Upon any transfer or assignment of ownership, the vehicle's existing registration expires, obligating the buyer to apply for a new certificate of title through the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV).
Required Documents for Title Transfer in West Virginia
The table below identifies the documentation required to complete a motor vehicle title transfer in West Virginia. Additional forms may be required depending on the nature of the transaction. All documents submitted to WV DMV must be originals unless otherwise noted.
| Document | Purpose | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title (signed by seller) | The previous owner's title, properly reassigned; both seller and buyer must sign the reverse of a West Virginia title | Always |
| Application for Certificate of Title (DMV-1-TR) | Official WV DMV form for applying for a new certificate of title in the buyer's name | Always |
| Proof of West Virginia Automobile Insurance | Confirms active insurance coverage through a carrier licensed to operate in West Virginia; insurance information may be listed directly on the DMV-1-TR | Always |
| Valid West Virginia Driver's License or State-Issued ID | Required as proof of identity for all parties involved in the transaction | Always |
| Bill of Sale (DMV-7-TR) | Required when the stated purchase price falls below 50% of the current NADA Clean Loan Book value; must be notarized and accompanied by copies of both parties' driver's licenses | Conditional |
| Odometer Disclosure Statement (DMV-TM-1) | Required when the certificate of title does not include a designated section for mileage recording; odometer disclosure is mandatory at the time of all ownership transfers | Conditional |
| Affidavit of Transfer Without Consideration (DMV-5-TR) | Required for all transfers in which no monetary or other consideration is exchanged; must be signed by both the transferor and the transferee | Conditional |
| Affidavit of Duplicate Title (DMV-4-TR) | Required when the original certificate of title has been lost, stolen, or destroyed | If applicable |
| Legal Heir Affidavit (DMV-185-TR) | Required for title transfers resulting from the death of the registered owner | If applicable |
| Lienholder Documentation | Required when an active security interest exists on the vehicle; the lienholder must authorize the transfer or provide a lien release | If applicable |
Step-by-Step Title Transfer Process in West Virginia
Step 1: Assemble Required Documentation
Before presenting at a WV DMV regional office, both the seller and the buyer must confirm that all necessary documentation is complete and accurate. Incomplete applications will be rejected and may delay the issuance of the new certificate of title.
The seller must confirm:
- The certificate of title is unaltered, valid, and accurately reflects current ownership
- All existing liens and encumbrances are identified and, where possible, supported by a formal lien release
- The odometer reading is recorded and available for disclosure at the time of transfer
- West Virginia insurance coverage through a carrier licensed in the state is in place
The buyer must confirm:
- A valid West Virginia driver's license or state-issued ID is available
- The vehicle is insured through a carrier licensed to operate in West Virginia
- All applicable supplemental forms — including the DMV-5-TR for gift transactions or DMV-185-TR for inherited vehicles — have been identified and are ready for completion
New residents arriving from another state should review the WV DMV New Residents requirements, which impose a 30-day deadline and provide a sales tax exemption on vehicles already titled in the applicant's name in another state.
Step 2: Complete the Odometer Disclosure and Bill of Sale
Odometer Disclosure
Odometer disclosure is mandatory at the time of every ownership transfer. The seller must record the vehicle's mileage in the designated assignment section on the reverse of the certificate of title. When the title does not include a mileage section, the seller must complete a separate Odometer Disclosure Statement (DMV-TM-1) and submit it with the title application. The mileage status must be designated as one of the following:
- Actual Mileage
- Not Actual Mileage
- Mileage Exceeds Mechanical Limits
- Exempt (applicable category only)
Odometer Disclosure Exemptions — the following vehicle classes are not subject to odometer disclosure:
| Exempt Class | Description |
|---|---|
| Class B | Vehicles with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs |
| Class C | Trailers and semi-trailers |
| Class H | Buses and limousines with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs |
| Class I | Recreational/off-road vehicles not titled for on-road use |
| Class R | Recreational trailers and pull campers |
| Class T | General trailers and boat trailers |
| Class M | Mobile equipment with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs |
| Class X | Trucks with a GVWR exceeding 16,000 lbs |
Bill of Sale
A notarized Bill of Sale (DMV-7-TR) is required when the stated purchase price is less than 50% of the vehicle's current NADA Clean Loan Book value. In such cases, the titling sales tax will be assessed on the NADA Clean Loan Book value rather than the sale price. The notarized bill of sale must be accompanied by legible copies of both the buyer's and the seller's driver's licenses. For gift transactions, a notarized Affidavit of Transfer Without Consideration (DMV-5-TR) must be completed and signed by both parties instead of a standard bill of sale.
Gift Transfer Exception: The DMV-5-TR is not required for transfers between a parent and child, or between spouses, provided the vehicle is already titled in West Virginia, and the recipient is a current West Virginia resident.
Step 3: Execute the Title Endorsement and Deliver the Certificate
As mandated under West Virginia Code § 17A-4-2, the seller must endorse the assignment and warranty of title on the reverse of the certificate of title. This endorsement must be verified under oath and must include a complete statement of all liens and encumbrances recorded against the vehicle. The completed certificate must then be delivered to the buyer within 60 days of the sale date.
For out-of-state titles: The previous owner must sign the title in the assignment section, and the new owner's full name and address must appear on the document. The buyer then submits the out-of-state title, together with the completed DMV-1-TR Application for Certificate of Title to a WV DMV regional office.
Important: The seller is required to notify the WV DMV of the transfer and retain the registration plates from the vehicle. Plates remain the property of the original registrant and may not be transferred to the buyer with the vehicle unless the original registrant is specifically authorized to do so under applicable law.
Step 4: Complete the Application for Certificate of Title (DMV-1-TR)
The buyer must submit a fully completed Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle (DMV-1-TR) to the WV DMV. The application must be signed in the presence of a WV DMV official or notary public at the time of submission.
Step 5: Submit the Application and Pay All Required Fees
All completed documents and required fees must be presented together at a WV DMV regional office. The following fees apply to standard title transfer transactions, as established by the WV DMV fee schedule and West Virginia Code § 17A-3-4:
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $15.00 | Standard title fee for all new title applications |
| Titling Sales Tax | 6% of net purchase price | Applies to vehicles with a net purchase price exceeding $500 |
| Titling Sales Tax (minimum) | $30.00 flat | Applies when net purchase price is $500 or less |
| Lien Recordation Fee | $10.00 | Required if a security interest is recorded on the title |
| Registration Fee — Class A (Passenger, ≤ 10,000 lbs) | $51.50 | Standard annual passenger vehicle registration |
| Hybrid Vehicle Surcharge | +$100.00/year | Added to applicable registration fee |
| Electric and Alternative Fuel Vehicle Surcharge | +$200.00/year | Added to applicable registration fee |
| Motorcycle Registration — Class G | $16.00 | Standard annual registration fee |
| Registration Transfer Fee | $10.00 | Applied when existing plates are transferred to a different vehicle |
Trade-In Credit: When a trade-in vehicle is involved in the transaction, the 6% titling sales tax is assessed on the purchase price minus the trade-in value — provided the trade-in vehicle is currently titled in the applicant's name in West Virginia.
New Resident Exemption: Individuals establishing West Virginia residency for the first time are exempt from the 6% titling sales tax on vehicles already titled in their name in their former state, provided all four eligibility conditions under the new resident exemption criteria are met, and the application is filed within 30 days of establishing residency.
Step 6: Receive the New Certificate of Title
Upon acceptance of a complete application and payment of all required fees, the WV DMV will process the title transfer and issue a new certificate of title in the buyer's name. The certificate will be mailed to the primary registered owner or the primary lienholder, as applicable.
Contact Information
West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
5707 MacCorkle Ave SE, Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (800) 642-9066
Official Website: West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles
