In the state of Utah, in order to correctly transfer the title of a vehicle, you need to obtain and submit certain documentation.
In order to successfully transfer the title of a Utah vehicle, you need to follow these steps:
- Ensure the vehicle’s seller completes the vehicle title assignment on the vehicle title certificate and provides a bill of sale and odometer disclosure (if applicable)
- Complete the Utah vehicle title application form
- Provide proof of a vehicle safety/emissions inspection (if applicable)
You need to submit the above-listed documents and applicable payment(s) to your local Utah Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Be advised you may be required to submit additional documents and payments at the time of the vehicle title transfer.
Smog Certification/Vehicle Inspection in Utah
In the state of Utah, residents with vehicles registered in this state are required to have their vehicle endure a vehicle safety inspection and emissions test. These vehicle tests are required to obtain a UT vehicle registration and registration renewal.
The cost and the kind of vehicle tests that are required depend on where in Utah the vehicle is registered and the vehicle’s model year. New residents of this state are required to have a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection performed in addition to complying with the same vehicle testing requirements as other UT residents.
Be advised, vehicle safety inspections in Utah for passenger vehicles are no longer required starting with 2018 registrations and registration renewals.
Utah Emissions and Smog Check Requirements
As a vehicle owner in Utah who lives in Salt Lake, Davis, Utah, Weber, or Cache counties, you are required to have your vehicle tested in accordance with the following criteria:
- Vehicles that are less than six years old are required to pass an emissions test every two years (Vehicles made in even model years are required to get tested in even calendar numbers, and vehicles made in odd model years must get tested in odd calendar years)
- Vehicles 6 years old or more (until the 1967 model year) are required to get tested annually before registration
Vehicle owners in Cache county with vehicles that are 6 years old or more are required to schedule their smog check according to the vehicle’s model year. Vehicles made in even-numbered model years must get smog checked in even-number calendar years, and vehicles made in odd-numbered years are required to get smog checked in odd-numbered calendar years.
If a vehicle falls into one of the categories, it must also pass a Utah safety inspection as well:
- Commercial vehicles (Safety inspection not required for registration, but drivers must have inspection documentation to be able to present to law enforcement)
- Salvaged vehicles getting titled as a rebuilt vehicle
- First-time (initial) registration of Street-legal ATVs (Must also get a safety inspection whenever vehicle has a title transferred)
The Utah state legislature passed a new law eliminating vehicle safety inspections for all passenger vehicles, starting with vehicles registered in 2018. However, passenger vehicles with registrations that expired in 2017 are still required to pass a safety inspection.
Smog Check Exemptions in Utah
If your vehicle falls into one of the following categories, your vehicle is not required to pass a smog check:
- Newly manufactured vehicles with a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSOs)
- Motorcycles
- Vehicles that were made in the last 2 model years
- Vehicles that were made in the 1968 model year and registered in Cache County
- Vehicles that were made in the 1967 model year or older, and registered in Davis, Salt Lake, Utah, or Weber counties
- Diesel-powered vehicles
Out-of-state vehicles that are registered in Utah when their vehicle registration renewal deadline occurs may be eligible for a temporary out-of-state exemption, or be granted permission to pass a vehicle inspection in a reciprocal municipality.
You will need to mail proof of a passed vehicle inspection to the UT DMV and take these steps to complete an out-of-state vehicle testing and inspection:
- Complete and mail an Exemption of Utah Safety and Emission Requirements for Vehicle Not In Utah (Form TC-810)
Once you complete the form, you need to mail it to the address provided on the form. If you own an out-of-state vehicle and not in a municipality that requires vehicle inspections or testing during their registration renewal deadline, you are required to have your vehicle pass a vehicle safety inspection and emissions test (if required) once you return to Utah.
If you need more information about out-of-state inspections and exemptions in Utah, call the Utah DMV at (801) 297-7780 or toll-free at (800) 368-8824.
How to Transfer Your Vehicle Title in Utah?
In Utah, whether you are purchasing a vehicle or selling one, you need the vehicle’s title in order to transfer ownership of the vehicle. Here’s what you need to know about transferring a vehicle title in Utah.
Transferring a Vehicle’s Title As a New Resident of Utah
As a new resident of the Beehive state, you need to transfer your out-of-state vehicle title by submitting the following to your local Utah DMV:
- The vehicle title certificate from your previous state (if you are paying a vehicle loan and have a lien on the vehicle, you are allowed to use your current out-of-state vehicle registration to register your vehicle without applying for a Utah vehicle title certificate) You may also be required to provide your lender’s information (name and address)
- A completed Vehicle Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656)
- Proof of required vehicle inspections (safety and/or emissions inspection certificate, if applicable, and a vehicle identification number (VIN) inspection.
- If the vehicle is being leased, you need to submit the following from the lessor:
- Power of Attorney
- Billing statement
- Utah sales tax number
- Payment for all applicable vehicle title fees
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle Purchased From a Private Seller
In order to successfully transfer the title of a vehicle purchased from a private seller in Utah, there are different documents you need to obtain. You need to take the following documents and payment to your local UT DMV office:
- The current vehicle title certificate, correctly assigned to you by the previous vehicle owner (if the vehicle title is lost, the title assignment can be made on the Application for Utah Duplicate Title (Form TC-123)
- A completed Bill of Sale (Form TC-843) This form needs to include the following information:
- Buyer/seller names, signatures, addresses
- Vehicle description and VIN
- Purchase date and price
- Trade-in description and allowance (if applicable)
- A completed Vehicle Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656)
- A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TC-891) This form is only required if the vehicle is less than 20 years old
- If the vehicle is being leased, you need to submit the following from the lessor:
- Power of Attorney
- Billing statement
- Utah sales tax number
- Safety and/or emissions inspection certificates (if applicable)
- Payment for UT vehicle title transfer fees and taxes
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle Purchased From a Dealership
If you purchased a vehicle from a dealership in Utah, the dealer usually handles the vehicle title and registration paperwork on your behalf. As part of this transaction, the dealer will collect the necessary titling fees and sales tax.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle You’re Selling in Utah
If you’re selling a vehicle in Utah, it is your responsibility to complete the vehicle title transfer by providing the vehicle’s buyer with different documentation. Provide the vehicle’s buyer with the following documents:
- The vehicle title certificate assigned to the vehicle’s buyer
- Current registration
- A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TC-891) if the vehicle is under 20 years old
- Current safety and/or emissions inspection certificates
It’s a good idea to keep the license plates and notify the UT DMV in writing regarding the sale of the vehicle. When you write the letter to the UT DMV, make sure you include information regarding the vehicle’s make, year, model, plate number, or VIN, and your signature.
You can also mail this notification of sale letter to the following address:
Division of Motor Vehicles
MVCC Correspondence
P.O. Box 30412
Salt Lake City, UT 84130
You can also fax the notification of sale letter to (801) 297-3570.
How to Transfer a Vehicle Title When the Owner is Deceased?
When the owner of a vehicle is deceased, and you want to keep the vehicle, you need to transfer the vehicle’s title. If you’re the beneficiary, you can gift the vehicle to a family member or sell it to someone else.
You can be the beneficiary, surviving spouse, or joint-owner and obtain the legal authority to transfer the vehicle title to someone else when the vehicle’s owner passes away. You need to know whether the vehicle is part of a probated estate.
Transferring the Title of a Vehicle In a Probated Estate
When the owner of a vehicle passes away, the steps you will take to transfer the vehicle’s title depends on whether the title of the vehicle was in the individual’s name as a descendant or joint ownership. If the title of the vehicle was solely in the descendant’s name, you need to determine the status of the probate.
The legal process that involves administering the estate of the deceased individual is called probate. This legal process occurs when there is no beneficiary or surviving spouse listed on the will. The probate validates the deceased individual’s property and assets. This process also proves that the last will and testament are legitimate.
If the vehicle in question is part of a probated estate, you need to follow these steps to transfer the vehicle title with a deceased owner:
Contact an Attorney or Probate Court
The title of a vehicle can’t be transferred until the probate process is complete, which means the executor or administrator of the deceased needs to contact Probate Court or an attorney immediately to receive instructions on how to proceed with the probate process. Once the probate process is complete, the heir will receive the vehicle, unless the vehicle was given to the executor. If the executor was given the vehicle, they have the option to sell the vehicle.
Gather the Necessary Documentation
The documents that are required to transfer the vehicle title with a deceased owner will vary slightly from state to state, but in Utah, you need to have all the following documents in order to successfully transfer the title of the vehicle:
- Death certificate
- Order from Probate Court to transfer the title of the vehicle
- Certificate of title
- Odometer disclosure statement
- Transfer fee
Visit the Title Office
As the beneficiary of the vehicle or the administrator of the deceased person’s estate, you can visit your local UT title office with the above-stated documents to initiate the vehicle title transfer.
How to Transfer a Vehicle Title Without Probate
When you are transferring the title of a vehicle that is not in probate, the steps you are required to follow depends on the state in which you live. In Utah, the deceased individual’s property can’t exceed a certain amount and a specific amount of time needs to have passed since the individual passed away before the vehicle title can be initiated.
If you happen to be the joint-owner, spouse, or beneficiary, you may only be required to present the death certificate and the vehicle’s title to your local Utah title office, and have them retitle the vehicle’s title.
Transferring the Title of an Inherited Vehicle in Utah
The steps you’re required to complete for a Utah vehicle transfer of an inherited vehicle will differ depending on your unique situation. In Utah, you will follow the steps for transferring a vehicle’s title when you are buying or selling a vehicle in UT. You can contact your local UT DMV for specific information regarding your situation.
How to Transfer Ownership of a Vehicle Without a Title in Utah?
If you purchased a vehicle in Utah, and the vehicle’s title isn’t available, which is common for older vehicles, you can apply for a vehicle title by submitting the following documentation to your local UT DMV office:
- A completed Vehicle Application for Utah Title (Form TC-656)
- A completed Ownership Statement (Form TC-569A) This form must include:
- An explanation of why the vehicle doesn’t have a vehicle title or current registration from a non-title state
- How you obtained the vehicle
- The name of the individual from whom you obtained the vehicle
- A statement of any existing liens (if applicable)
- A statement of any previous vehicle titles or registrations
- A detailed description of the vehicle’s overall condition
- Any other relevant information pertaining to your possession of the vehicle
- Bill of Sale (Form TC-843) and any other release of ownership documentation
- Receipts for repairs (if applicable)
- VIN inspection (unless the vehicle has a current UT registration)
- Pictures of the exterior and interior of the vehicle taken from multiple angles
Can I Gift a Car to a Family Member?
Yes! You can gift a vehicle to a relative with the correct documents. If you are the recipient of a gifted vehicle, or the vehicle is being transferred from a family member, you need to complete a vehicle title transfer at your local UT DMV office. The process you need to follow to correctly transfer the vehicle’s title is similar to the steps you must follow when you’re buying or selling a vehicle in Utah.
There are different sections of the vehicle’s title. Find the section labeled “price” and write “0”. The person receiving the vehicle could be exempt from paying taxes on the vehicle. Like it is with a private vehicle sale, you are required to complete the transfer of ownership sections on the back of the vehicle title.
Although the vehicle is being gifted to a relative, the relative may still owe taxes on the vehicle’s current market value when they register the vehicle. You need to make sure you submit the signed original vehicle title to the UT city clerk to have the application for a new vehicle title completed.
Transferring a Vehicle Title When You Have an Out-of-State Title
If you need to transfer the title of an out-of-state vehicle in Utah, you must meet different requirements. The following out-of-state vehicle title transfer paperwork is required to properly transfer the vehicle title from one state to Utah:
- The original out-of-state vehicle title
- A completed application for a certificate of ownership
- A complete Utah vehicle registration application
- Proof of a valid UT vehicle insurance policy
- Proof of identification (ex. A valid driver’s license)
If a lien holder possesses your vehicle title, you must complete an application for the release of the vehicle’s title, which will be sent to the UT DMV. Be advised, you may be required to submit additional information.
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title in Utah
If you lost or damaged your Utah vehicle title, you can submit a Vehicle Application for Utah Duplicate Title (Form TC-123) as well as payment for the UT duplicate vehicle title fee. The Vehicle Application for Utah Duplicate Vehicle Title can also be used to assign a vehicle title to a new owner.
Transferring a Vehicle Title With a Lien
When you pay off the loan on your vehicle, the lien holder needs to release the on the vehicle and send you the vehicle title certificate. For more information regarding lien releases on vehicles, you can contact your local UT DMV.
How Much Does a Title Transfer Cost in Utah?
In the state of Utah, there are different vehicle title fees. The following are the standard Utah vehicle title transfer fees:
- Vehicle title fee: $6
- Duplicate vehicle title: $6
- Correction or name change titling fee: $6
- Sales tax: varies by city
Where Can I Go to Transfer a Vehicle Title in Utah?
There are different DMV locations in New Hampshire where you can transfer a vehicle’s title.
Utah Division of Motor Vehicles – Ogden Office
2447 Lincoln Ave
Ogden, UT 84401
(801) 297-7780
Monday – Friday (8 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Utah Motor Vehicle Division
380 W 2880 S
Salt Lake City, UT 84115
(801) 297-7780
Monday – Friday (8AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Utah Department of Motor Vehicles
55 S Main Street
Panguitch, UT 84759
(435) 676-8826
Monday – Friday (9 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
Utah Department of Motor Vehicles – Farmington
969 W Clark Ln
Farmington, UT 84025
(801) 297-7780
Monday – Friday (8 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)
How to Fill Out the Utah Title and Title Transfer Forms
In order to complete the Utah vehicle title and title transfer forms, you need to ensure you have the required signatures of the vehicle’s seller and buyer in the provided areas on the vehicle title. You also need to create a bill of sale that provides information about the vehicle, such as its make, year, model, and color. Don’t forget to include the vehicle’s VIN.
If you sold a vehicle instead of gifting the vehicle, make sure you add sales tax to the vehicle’s total price. In the “transfer of title by seller” section of the vehicle title, provide an odometer reading, and make sure the recipient of the vehicle signs the vehicle’s title in the provided spaces.
Keep in mind that you may be required to provide additional documentation, including a valid Utah vehicle insurance policy that meets or exceeds the minimum coverage limits set by the state of Utah. You may also be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID or a foreign passport for proof of identification.
My Vehicle Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?
If your vehicle’s title has been signed, but not transferred, your vehicle has an open title. Also, with an open vehicle title, the seller of the vehicle didn’t transfer ownership of or register the vehicle in their name.
Being that the vehicle seller’s name is not on the vehicle title, they will not assume any legal responsibility for anything associated with the vehicle, such as taxes, and other fees.
If the seller of the vehicle has lost the vehicle’s title, they can apply for a duplicate UT vehicle title (Form TC-123) and sign it over to you for you to put in your name. Be advised, the person who is listed on the vehicle’s title is responsible for requesting a duplicate vehicle title.