TITLE TRANSFERS
Auto, Boat, Motorcycle, Big Trucks, and ATV's
Wheather you are selling a car or are buying one. The Texas Auto Title Company can help you transfer ownership of the vehicle. We will also issue a new registration sticker and license plates if needed. From the simplest title transactions to the most difficult ones, we do them all.
Texas Title Transfers
Out of State Title Transfers
Salvage Title Transfers
Bonded Title Transfers
Lost Title Transfers
Heir ship Title Transfers
Registration and Replacement Stickers
License Plates
30 Day Temporary Tag Paper Plates
Personalized License Plates
Handicap Plates and Tags
Classic Plates
Sellers
Vehicles are required to be titled in the buyer's name within 30 calendar days. Failing to properly transfer a vehicle into the buyer's name could result in the seller being held responsible for tickets, toll violations or they could even have property seized if the vehicle was used to commit a crime. To ensure this doesn't happen to you, accompany the buyer to our office and make sure a vehicle title application is filed.
If you sell or trade-in your vehicle to a licensed motor vehicle dealer, the dealer is not required to title the vehicle in the dealership's name. The vehicle stays in your name until it is sold to an individual, which may take months or even years. To protect yourself, file a vehicle transfer notification in our office.
Provide the buyer with a properly signed title, including the date of sale and odometer reading and a signed vehicle title application, with the sales price clearly shown. Keep detailed written records of any transaction, including contact information for the buyer, the date of sale and information on the vehicle, including the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Buyers
If buying from an individual, have the seller accompany you to our office if possible to avoid any unwanted surprises. Before submitting the title application, an office representative can tell you if the title being signed over to you is correct and if it has any legal or salvage issues.
If you buy your vehicle from a dealer, the dealer is required to file the title papers on your behalf, so you will not have to visit the office. Make sure the dealer provides you with a receipt showing the vehicle has been titled in your name within 30 calendar days.
In addition to the title, ask the seller to provide you with the signed vehicle title application and any other supporting documents, such as a release of lien, power of attorney or a bill of sale. Keep a written record that includes the name and address of the seller, date of sale and vehicle information, including the Vehicle Identification Number. Failing to title a vehicle within 30 days may result in the buyer being fined and penalized.
You must provide proof of liability insurance when you title and register your vehicle or if the vehicle you purchased has current Texas registration that is transferred to you. If you do not provide proof of insurance, you may apply for a title only. All out of state title transfers must be accompanied by Vehicle Identification Certificate (Form VI-30), completed by a safety inspection station and an Out of State Certificate also provided by the station.
Vehicle Color: We are now collecting vehicle color information. Please refer to the Color Chart when completing a vehicle title application.
Fees
If buying from an individual, when you apply for a vehicle title the motor vehicle sales tax (6.25 percent) on either the purchase price or standard presumptive value, whichever is the highest value must be paid. The standard title, registration and local fees will also be due. Contact us for the exact amount that is due and to learn which forms of payment are accepted. We accept most forms of payment but the state does not accept credit cards to pay your taxes however, we do provide that option for our customers but a convenience fee will be applied.
For more information about vehicle title transfers, call us at 832-619-1330 or send us an e-mail to info@TheTexasAutoTitleCompany.com
Registration Stickers
Are your registration stickers due to expire soon or maybe you've just lost it and need it replaced? Are you the registered owner of the vehicle?
Note: Only registered owners may apply to renew their registration. If you are not the registered owner or are having trouble registering the vehicle you may apply for 30 Day Temporary Tags which would allow you to operate the vehicle legally temporarily without purchasing a registration sticker. See license plates section for more details. However this is not ideal as there is a limit on how many times you may apply for a 30 day tag. Your best option would be to get the vehicles title transferred into your name.
Texas residents who own a motor vehicle are legally required to annually renew their vehicle registration. If you just moved to Texas, you need to follow the steps described in the New to Texas section.
Vehicles may be registered three ways:
- Online
- Phone
- Email or Fax
- In Person
By Email or Fax
Registration renewal notice if you received one:
- Renewal notice if available (keep the vehicle owner's section for your records)
- Contact Information: Mailing address, Phone number, Email address, Specify which vehicle
- Proof of current liability insurance ID card, and current US or state issued photo ID No Matricula's
or other foreign id's will be accepted
- Registration Fees: A Representative will contact you shortly for payment processing or feel free to contact us
Note: Auto Insurance is required by law by the State of Texas to renew vehicle registration. If you do not have insurance on it yet, please give us a call and we will be more than happy to assist you with a low free quote on liability insurance.
If you did not receive your renewal notice, you can renew your registration using your:
- vehicle license plate number, or
- vehicle identification number,
In Person
To register your vehicle in person, take your registration renewal notice if you have one, proof of current liability insurance, and current US or state issued photo ID to our office. No Matriculas or other foreign id's will be accepted online or in person. All registration fees will be due at this time.
If you did not receive your renewal notice, you can renew your registration using your:
- vehicle license plate number,
- vehicle identification number, or
Change of Address
Vehicle registration renewal notices are mailed to the address on your motor vehicle record. If you need to change your address, you can do so:
- Phone
- Email or Fax
- In Person
Are you new to Texas?
If so, follow these steps to become a registered Texan:
If you are a new resident you may only register in person.
1. Have your vehicle inspected. Simply take your vehicle to a certified Texas Department of Public Safety inspection station. (Many mechanic shops, oil change locations and service stations are certified by DPS as inspection stations.) Take your auto insurance card.
In Texas, you must show you have insurance coverage for a minimum of $30,000 per injured person, up to a total of $60,000 for everyone injured in an accident, and $25,000 for property damage. If you do not have Texas insurance yet you may visit, call or email us to get a free quote and we are able to bind coverage for you immediately so you can take your new insurance card with you to get your vehicle inspected.
2. Next, it's time to get your vehicle registration sticker and license plates. To do this, you must contact a local representative. You will need to bring that insurance card, the inspection papers and out of state certificate from inspection shop, and proof you own the vehicle, such as the registration or title from your previous state. You can also show a current foreign/military ownership document or foreign evidence of ownership.
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You need to fill out the following forms and bring to us. You are not required to title your vehicle in Texas. If you wish to title your vehicle in Texas and have the title, complete Form 130-U. If you do not possess the title because it has a lien, you need to complete Form VTR-272. The sales tax for new residents is usually $90 plus normal registration fees will apply.
While in our office be sure to ask your customer service representative to sign you up for eReminder. We'll email you a reminder when it's time to renew.
Note: Active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces and non-resident, full-time students attending a Texas college or university are not required to register or title their vehicles in Texas.
- The Texas Auto Title Company DOES NOT ISSUE DRIVER LICENSES. But as a new resident you are required to obtain your Texas driver license from the Texas Department of Public Safety within 90 days of moving here.
For more information about vehicle registration, call us at 832-619-1330 or send us an e-mail to info@TheTexasAutoTitleCompany.com
License Plates
Are your plates too old and not looking well? Did you misplace or loose one? We can easily replace those license plates for you.
As part of your vehicle registration you are issued a set of general-issue license plates. The plate number is assigned to you by the TxDMV, and you cannot personalize general-issue plates.
The plates are good for seven years, and then you are required to obtain a new set of plates. Mandatory replacement is necessary because at seven years the reflectivity of the license plate sheeting begins to diminish.
When a new general-issue license plate design is released, it takes several years before all registered vehicle owners receive the plates. Those with previous general-issue plate designs that are less than seven years old keep that design until mandatory replacement becomes necessary.
30 Day Temporary License Plate Tags
Note: If you are not the registered owner or are having trouble registering the vehicle you may apply for 30 Day Temporary Tags which would allow you to operate the vehicle legally without purchasing a registration sticker. If you have a car that has been given an emissions test and failed, you may have a problem. Your car has to be fixed before it can be legally registered in your state. However, if this is the only vehicle that you own, you will probably still need to drive to get to work and other appointments. There are also many other reasons why you are unable obtain registration. A 30 day permit lets you legally drive your vehicle while you're waiting for the mechanic to fix the issues that caused you to fail the inspection or other circumstances that are preventing you from registering the vehicle.
In order to get a 30 day permit, you will need to bring in, email or fax us the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), copy of your driver's license, and proof of insurance on the same vehicle.
You must display the 30 day permit in the bottom right corner of the rear window of the vehicle it is for. There will also be a printed sheet you can carry in your car as proof of registration.
In most cases we are able to obtain these same day. They may be picked up in our office or we can mail (additional fees apply) or email these to you so you can use them immediately.
Personalized Plates
You're just four steps away from creating your plates:
- Choose a plate design style. Click Here to choose a design. Each design is individually numbered.
- Then choose a design and create your message. Message us the number of the design you chose on facebook or email us your choice to info@TheTexasAutoTitleCompany.com
- Once your request is received we will check to see if the letter/number combination you requested is available and will notify you to complete all purchase and payment information.
- Pick up your plates! About three to four weeks after you ordered your plate, we shall notify you and you can pick them up at our office, then put them on your car and enjoy!
Handicap Plates and Tags
To apply for a new "permanent" (blue) placard or "temporary" (red) placard, you must:
- Ask your doctor to complete the Disability Statement section of the application
- Complete the rest of the application
- Submit the application and applicable fees and payments to our office.
To renew a "permanent" (blue) placard, you must:
- Complete the Affidavit portion of a new application (not the disability statement), including the signature of the applicant
- Submit a copy of the original application, along with the new application to our office. If you do not have a copy of your application, you may also submit your expiring placard(s) to our office.
Placards for permanent disabilities must be renewed every four years. Placards for temporary disabilities are valid for six months or until your disability ends, whichever comes first, and cannot be renewed. You will need to apply for a new placard if your temporary disability extends beyond the six-month limit.
For more information about vehicle registration, renewal, license plates or temporary tags call us at 832-619-1330 or send us an e-mail to info@TheTexasAutoTitleCompany.com
