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 Wisconsin, the title of a car is a legal document that establishes the owner of the vehicle. When a car is sold, the title must be transferred from the seller to the buyer to show change of ownership. This process is overseen by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (WisDOT). To transfer a title, the seller must complete the appropriate sections on the title document, including the odometer reading and the buyer's information. The buyer then submits the title, along with a completed Title/License Plate Application and the required fee, to the WisDOT. In the case of a divorce, the process is similar; the title can be transferred to one spouse as part of the property division by completing the title transfer section and submitting the necessary documentation to the WisDOT. The department provides forms and detailed instructions for title transfers on its website, which can guide individuals through the process.