Title to a car is the official record and proof of ownership of the car. Transferring the title to a car is necessary when a seller sells the car to a buyer—or when divorcing spouses are transferring the title from both spouses to one spouse. Your state’s department of motor vehicles will usually make the forms necessary to transfer the title/change vehicle ownership available on its website—with some additional information to guide you through the process.
In New Jersey, the title of a car is a legal document that establishes a person or business as the legal owner of the vehicle. When a car is sold, the title must be transferred to the new owner, which involves signing the back of the title by the seller and providing the buyer with a bill of sale. Additionally, both parties must complete the Vehicle Registration Application (Form BA-49). If the transaction occurs during a divorce, the title can be transferred from joint ownership to a single spouse, typically as part of the divorce settlement. The New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) provides the necessary forms and instructions for title transfer on its website. It's important to note that the process must be completed within ten days of the sale or transfer to avoid penalties. The buyer must also pay the required title transfer fee and sales tax based on the vehicle's purchase price or the fair market value.