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Visit Dynamic Insurance Group‘s Fairmont, WV, location for your title transfer, temporary tag or registration renewal needs.
You don’t need an appointment to get your licensing services done at our office. Title work and registration renewals are done at our Fairmont, WV, office Monday through Friday from 8:00AM to 4:00PM
Frequently Asked Questions
- What do you need to bring with you to transfer a motor vehicle title?
- When is an odometer statement not required for motor vehicle title work?
- Will I have to pay sales tax?
- What if it was gifted to me?
- What about UTV/ATV?
- What about watercraft?
- What about utility trailers and recreational trailers?
- What if I lost my title?
- What if I ripped my title?
- Will a copy of my title work?
- If I am moving to WV, do I have to pay sales tax?
- As a new resident, how do I qualify for the sales tax exemption?
- How do I handle a title transfer due to a death?
What do you need to bring with you to transfer a motor vehicle title?
- Valid ID: Driver’s license, state-issued ID, or passport. ID Card must match the name of the person the title is being transferred to and the vehicle on the title.
- Title in the previous owner’s name: the seller must sign the title in the seller’s section – EXACTLY how it appears on the front of the title. If the title is in two names with “or” separating them only one of the signatures is needed. If “and” separates the names, both parties need to sign as the seller. Older titles that have and/or should be signed by both names listed. If the title is out of state – Some titles require the seller and buyer’s signature to be notarized. Those states include but are not limited to PA, KY, NC, OH, OK, WY, LA, and AZ. If the vehicle is a new vehicle and has never been titled, then the certificate of origin is required. If there is a lien on the front of the title, it must be completely released and notarized. If not, the title must be accompanied by a notarized Lien release letter that specifies the vehicle’s VIN number. If you have any doubts about how to complete the back of the title, please leave it blank (other than the seller’s signature) so we can help you complete it.
- Lien Information: If the vehicle has a lien you will need to provide the name of the lienholder, their address, and the amount financed.
Proof of Insurance: If a new plate is needed or you are transferring a current plate. (Not required for title transfer only.)
Registration Card: If you are transferring a plate. The registration card must be good for at least 90 more days and match the name of the person the title is being transferred to (if it is not our office can renew the registration for you). - Odometer Statement: An odometer disclosure is ALWAYS required except for certain exceptions.
- Payment: Checks and cash accepted.
When is an odometer statement not required for motor vehicle title work?
- The vehicle is non-motorized.
- The vehicle has a registered gross weight or gross vehicle weight rating of more than 16,000 pounds.
- As of January 1, 2021, all vehicle model years 2010 and before will not require an odometer reading. Vehicle model years 2011 and after will require an odometer reading for up to 20 years. Periodically they request the odometer statement so please know what the odometer reading is.
Will I have to pay sales tax?
WV Sales Tax is 6% of the purchase price.
If the vehicle is purchased from an individual and the purchase price is below 50% of the current NADA Clean Loan Book value, a notarized bill of sale must accompany the application for title, or the tax will be assessed on the NADA Clean Loan Book value.
If the vehicle is purchased from an individual and the purchase price is above 50%, the tax will be assessed on that price. Any vehicle not purchased from a registered dealer which is two years old or less will be taxed on the current NADA Clean Loan Book value despite the purchase price, a notarized bill of sale will not be accepted.
Titles being submitted listing a purchase price, whether the price has been altered or not, and accompanied by a bill of sale showing another price will not be accepted. The original owner must apply for a duplicate title and begin the process over. If unable to obtain a duplicate title, the tax will be assessed on the book value regardless of what price is reflected on the title or bill of sale.
If the vehicle is a new purchase and has never been titled a dealer invoice will be required.
What if it was gifted to me?
Any time there is a transfer of ownership for no consideration, monetary or otherwise, the seller must complete an Affidavit of Transfer of Ownership Without Consideration (DMV-5-TR). This affidavit must also be signed by the purchaser and accompany the certificate of title.
If the vehicle is titled in WV and is being gifted to a WV resident and the gift is between parent to child/child to parent or spouse to spouse, no gift affidavit is required per WV Law Code 17-A-34(2). Without the affidavit, the seller will pay tax on the book value, no matter what the relationship. The affidavit must be completed in its entirety. Incomplete affidavits will be returned.
Anyone not having a telephone must provide a number they can be reached at. Providing incorrect, false, or fraudulent information about the consideration exchanged, subjects the applicant as well as the seller to the revocation, suspension, and/or cancellation of any and all driver’s licenses, registration plates, cards, and permits issued in their name.
Any title application in which a purchase price is listed on the title and an Affidavit of Transfer of Ownership Without Consideration is attached will not be accepted as we have conflicting statements.
The form must be notarized and our office can help with that.
What about UTV/ATV?
Required to be titled but not registered. If registering, proof of insurance is required.
What about watercraft?
In addition to the title, you will need to know the following information:
- Year
- Make
- Hull Serial Number
- Hull Material
- Length in Feet
- Total HP
- Type of Propulsion
- Type of Fuel
- Make of Motor
- Serial Number of Motor
What about utility trailers and recreational trailers?
In addition to the title, you will need to know the following information:
- Gross Vehicle Weight
- Length
What if I lost my title?
You will need to request a duplicate title. You can mail the duplicate title form to the DMV or visit your local DMV.
What if I ripped my title?
You will need to request a duplicate title. You can mail the duplicate title form to the DMV or visit your local DMV.
Will a copy of my title work?
No, you must have the original.
If I am moving to WV, do I have to pay sales tax?
New Residents must have their vehicles titled and registered within 30 days of establishing residency.
The titling sales 6% sales tax on a vehicles’ value has been eliminated for new residents moving into West Virginia with a vehicle already titled in their name in another state. The vehicle has to be in the name of the applicant when they apply for title and will be titled in the same name as the out-of-state title.
As a new resident, how do I qualify for the sales tax exemption?
In order to qualify for the exemption, the new resident must meet the standards listed below:
- The applicant was not a resident of this state at the time of purchasing or otherwise acquiring ownership of the vehicle. The out-of-state title in their name with an out-of-state address would be the proof. There is no limit on how long the vehicle was titled in their name in another state.
- Presents evidence as the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require of having titled the vehicle in the applicant’s previous state of residence. The out-of-state title in the applicant’s name with an out-of-state address would be the proof.
- Has relocated to this state and can present such evidence as the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles may require showing bona fide residency in this state. A new West Virginia driver’s license or any other documents we would accept for proof of residency for a West Virginia driver’s license.
How do I handle a title transfer due to a death?
- After the death of a vehicle owner, a survivor should remove the name of the deceased registrant from the vehicle’s title. This is necessary for insurance and tax purposes and will lessen the burden on legal heirs after the death of the survivor.
- To transfer the title of a jointly-owned vehicle (the word “OR” appears between the two names) into the survivor’s name, the survivor signs the back of the title as the seller. The survivor also completes the remainder of the title and signs as the purchaser and completes the bottom of the title as the purchaser.
- If the title is in the deceased owner’s name only, the executor, administrator, or legal heir, if applicable, needs to sign the title on behalf of the seller. If the title is in joint ownership with the brand “and” appearing between the names, two signatures are required and the surviving spouse signs, and then one of the above entities would have to sign on behalf of the deceased owner. If the title is in joint ownership with the brand “or” appearing between the names, the title can be transferred with just the surviving owner’s signature. Don’t need any other signatures.
- If no will or administrator exists, the legal heir(s) can complete a Legal Heir Affidavit (DMV-185-TR), which will allow the heir to sign on behalf of the deceased owner in order to transfer the title to the vehicle. A copy of the death certificate is also required when submitting the Legal Heir Affidavit (DMV-185-TR).
- In both instances, the survivor should submit the properly assigned title, the odometer disclosure information, insurance information, and the current registration card for the vehicle being titled. If a will exists, a certified copy of the court appointment documents for the executor or administrator must be attached to the title allowing them to sign for the deceased owner, the division will not accept a copy of the will in lieu of the court appointment.
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