When you need to transfer a vehicle\u2019s title in Montana, there is specific documentation you need to obtain. To successfully transfer a vehicle title in Montana, you need these documents:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind, you may be required to submit additional paperwork and pay additional fees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Montana does not have vehicle emissions testing requirements at this time. This state does not have any populated areas that obtain a non-attainment status given by the government, so there is no need for these tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you move to Montana, you have 60 days to title and register your vehicle with the MT Motor Vehicle Division. You need to visit your local Montana county clerk and submit the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are different steps you need to take and documents you need to provide if you\u2019re buying, selling, or gifting a vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The process for transferring a vehicle title purchased from a dealer is different from transferring the title of a vehicle purchased from a private party.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you purchase a vehicle from a dealership in Montana, you don\u2019t have to worry about the vehicle title transfer process because the dealer handles the paperwork and the process for you. You need to make sure you receive a copy of all the documents to keep for your records.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you purchase a vehicle from a private seller, most of the transfer process is for you to handle. You need to make sure the vehicle\u2019s seller provides you with:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Once you have the above-listen documentation, you need to submit these items at your local MT Motor Vehicle Department (MVD):<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In a scenario where the vehicle title can\u2019t be provided to the vehicle buyer, you can use an electronic record transfer instead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you\u2019re selling a vehicle in Montana, most of the tasks that need to complete are up to the vehicle\u2019s buyer to complete. However, there are also steps you need to take and documents you are responsible for providing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The steps you need to take when you are transferring the title of a vehicle when you\u2019re selling it are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Make sure you have the above-stated documents ready to avoid delays in the MT vehicle title transfer process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the beneficiary of the vehicle, you have different options and have the legal authority to transfer the vehicle\u2019s title to someone else if the vehicle\u2019s owner has passed away. The joint-owner or surviving spouse has the same legal authority as the beneficiary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When a vehicle\u2019s owner passes away, the process you are required to follow to transfer the vehicle\u2019s title depends on whether the title was in the individual\u2019s name as a descendant or if there was joint ownership. In the case where the vehicle\u2019s title was solely in the descendant\u2019s name, you need to know whether the estate is being probated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Probate not only validates the deceased individual\u2019s property and assets, but it also proves the last will and testament are legitimate. This legal process administers the estate of the deceased individual when there is no beneficiary or living spouse provided on the will. Probate Court will determine how the person\u2019s belongings will be distributed based on the will.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the vehicle in question is part of a probated estate, you need to follow these steps to successfully transfer the vehicle title of a deceased individual in Montana:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
An MT vehicle title transfer can\u2019t occur when there is active probate, so it\u2019s the administrator\u2019s or executor\u2019s responsibility to contact Probate Court or an attorney to determine the next steps that need to be taken in the probate process. When the probate is completed, the heir will receive the vehicle unless the executor was given the vehicle. If the executor was given the vehicle, they can choose to sell the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The required documents for transferring a vehicle title when the owner of the vehicle is deceased varies by state. In the state of Montana, you are required to have all the following documents and payments in order to successfully transfer the vehicle\u2019s title:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you are the administrator of the deceased individual\u2019s estate or the beneficiary of the vehicle in question, you can visit your local Montana title office with the above-listed documentation and payment to initiate the vehicle title transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state of Montana requires the deceased person\u2019s property to not exceed a certain amount and a specific amount of time needs to have passed since the vehicle\u2019s owner passed away before a vehicle title transfer can be initiated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Since there is no probate involved, if you are the joint-owner, beneficiary, or administrator, you may only be requested to submit the death certificate and vehicle title at your local MT title office where the vehicle\u2019s title can be retitled. There is no court order or attorney required for this scenario.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you inherited a vehicle, the process for transferring the vehicle\u2019s title depends on the status of the estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the estate is probated, there should be a personal representative or executor of the estate that is named on the will or appointed by the court. The executor is required to handle the vehicle title transfer process if the vehicle was solely titled in the deceased individual\u2019s name.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If the vehicle in question had multiple owners listed, the surviving vehicle owner is required to handle the MT vehicle title transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
To successfully transfer the vehicle title of an inherited vehicle in MT, you need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the event there are multiple surviving vehicle owners listed on the vehicle title, and one or more of the owners wish to remove their name from the vehicle title, they must sign off as the \u201cseller(s)\u201d of the vehicle to the remaining owner(s).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you decide to sell the vehicle to a third party, you need to have the vehicle title signed and notarized, and follow the instructions for buying or selling a vehicle in Montana.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For an inherited vehicle of a non-probated estate, there is no representative or executor appointed by a court or will, so there are no requirements for these individuals. In this scenario, you will follow the required steps for transferring the vehicle title in a probated estate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You did it! You paid off your vehicle loan. When you pay off your vehicle loan, you can apply to have the security interest removed from your vehicle title and receive a clean vehicle title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You need to submit either of the following at your local MT MVD:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
OR<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can take the above-listed items to your local MVD branch office, or submit everything by mail to the following address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicle Services Bureau
302 N Roberts
Helena, MT 59620<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If a vehicle doesn\u2019t have a title, you must apply for a replacement vehicle title with the Montana Vehicle Services Bureau. You can apply for a duplicate Montana vehicle title by following these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can submit these documents in person or by mail to the following address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicle Services Bureau
Motor Vehicle Division
Montana Department of Justice
P.O. Box 201431
302 N Roberts
Helena, MT 59620<\/p>\n\n\n\n
When you gift a vehicle in Montana, you follow the same process you would if you were buying or selling a vehicle to a private party. Make sure you list the purchase price as \u201c$0\u201d or GIFT in the price section of the vehicle\u2019s title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If your vehicle was registered in a different state, you are required to initiate a vehicle title transfer for the vehicle. In the state of Montana, you must start the vehicle title transfer process for all used vehicles that have out-of-state documents, whether the vehicle was purchased from a dealership or a private seller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep in mind, new residents of Montana are required to complete the vehicle title transfer process and obtain new license plates within 60 days of their move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You will need to pay all applicable fees and submit different documents to successfully transfer an out-of-state vehicle title in Montana, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Be advised, if your out-of-state vehicle title is in a lien holder\u2019s possession, the MT MVD will be required to obtain the vehicle title certificate with a written title request form before completing the vehicle title transfer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Requesting a Duplicate Vehicle Title in Montana<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You might need to replace your vehicle\u2019s title for different reasons, such as the document being lost, damaged, or stolen. To request a duplicate Montana vehicle title, follow these steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can submit these items at your local Montana MVD branch office or mail them to the following address:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vehicle Services Bureau
P.O. Box 201431
302 N. Roberts
Helena, MT 59620<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The fee you are charged depends on the type of vehicle you need to transfer the title for. When it comes to lightweight vehicles, busses, and trucks that weigh less than one ton, the application fee is $12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All other vehicle transfers have a fee of $10. These rates are subject to change, which makes it important to determine how much it costs to transfer a vehicle\u2019s title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The state of Montana has different MVD locations you can visit to transfer the title of a vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Montana Motor Vehicle Division Headquarters<\/strong> Montana Department of Motor Vehicles<\/strong> Monday (9 AM to 4:30 PM) You need to ensure you complete all the required forms to prevent delays and avoid unnecessary penalties and fees. Make sure you create a bill of sale that discloses different vehicle factors, including its color, make, model, and year. Keep in mind, you may also need to include the vehicle\u2019s VIN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you sold your vehicle, you need to add sales tax to the vehicle\u2019s total price. In the \u201ctransfer of title by seller\u201d section of the vehicle title, you need to provide an accurate odometer reading. The buyer of the vehicle needs to sign their name in the provided spaces on the vehicle\u2019s title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You may also be required to provide additional documents, such as proof of a valid MT vehicle insurance policy that meets or exceeds the coverage limits set by the state of Montana. You may also be required to provide a valid government-issued photo ID. However, if you don\u2019t have one, a foreign passport will suffice as an acceptable form of identity verification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n When a vehicle has a title that is not transferred, it is considered an open title. The vehicle\u2019s seller didn\u2019t transfer ownership of the vehicle or didn\u2019t register it in their name. When a vehicle has an open title, the vehicle\u2019s seller doesn\u2019t have any legal liability to the vehicle since their name isn\u2019t on the vehicle title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
302 N Roberts St
Helena, MT 59601
(406) 444-3933
Monday-Friday (8 AM to 5 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
50 Airport Rd
Lewiston, MT 59457
(406) 538-8725<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tuesday (1 PM to 4:30 PM)
Wednesday and Friday (8 AM to 4:30 PM)
Thursday (8 AM to 12 PM)
Saturday and Sunday (Closed)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/a>How to Fill Out the Montana Title and Title Transfer Forms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
<\/a>My Car Title Was Signed But Never Transferred. What Do I Do?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n