How to transfer car title in Nevada

Vehicle Title and Ownership

New Federal Odometer Law

You must complete the Odometer Reading section of the title on any 2011 or newer vehicle at the time of sale or transfer into a trust.

This applies even if the title indicates the vehicle is exempt after nine years.

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Fees

Duplicate Title

If your vehicle is titled in another state, you must obtain a duplicate from that state. See 50 State DMV Links.

If there is a loan, lease or other lien on the vehicle, you must contact the lienholder. The lienholder is responsible for ordering a printed title after you have satisfied the lien. Alternately, they may complete a Lien Release and you may submit this with an Application for Duplicate Title.

If your vehicle was last titled in Nevada and there are no liens, you may mail an application or drop it off in person at a DMV office. Your title will be mailed in approximately 6 weeks.

Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (VP 012)
This form is for use only if the vehicle was last titled in Nevada. If you are not sure whether your vehicle is titled in Nevada or if you do not have all of the information requested, please contact the Records Section for instructions.

Payment Authorization Form (ADM 205)
To pay by credit or debit card.

Lien Release (VP 186)
Releases an ownership interest held by a financial institution or other third party.

Application for Expedited Processing/Shipping of Nevada Title (VP 265)
To expedite the processing and/or shipping of your title for additional fee(s).

Local DMV offices accept title transactions but do not issue titles over the counter. All Nevada titles are mailed from Carson City once processing is complete.

You may expedite the processing of your title and/or have it delivered through Federal Express by completing the VP 265 application. Additional fees apply.

Instructional Video

How to Apply for a Duplicate Title

See Private Party Vehicle Sales for instructions and a video on how to complete the title during a sale.

Title Issues/FAQs

Adding or Dropping Names

The Odometer Reading section of a vehicle title must be completed on 2011 or newer vehicles, even if the title indicates the vehicle may be exempt due to age.

Without Lienholder

Sign the title as if you are selling the vehicle and put the new name(s) in the buyer section. Use your full legal name as listed on your driver license.

• If the title says 'person 1' AND 'person 2', both parties must sign it.
• If the title says 'person 1' OR 'person 2', either party can sign without the other.

If the vehicle is not registered or not operational, you may change the title only without obtaining insurance, a smog check or registration. Bring the title to a DMV office.

If you will be registering and driving the vehicle, you must obtain Nevada liability insurance in the same name(s) which will be on the new title and registration. If your vehicle requires a smog check, you must have a new test done if the last one is more than 90 days old.

Bring the signed-off title, current registration slip and smog check if needed to a DMV office to re-register the car. Credit will be given for the unused portion of the current registration.

If you are changing your name, you must have the legal document which authorizes the change (Marriage Certificate, divorce decree, etc.). Divorce decrees should include language which awards the vehicle to the new owner by Vehicle Identification Number.

With Lienholder

You must ask the lienholder to approve the change. Subleasing and "take over payments" arrangements are illegal.

The lienholder may wish to refinance any loan. They may ask you to sign the title and/or a power of attorney. The lienholder will have to apply for the new title and issue you a letter, including the Vehicle Identification Number, stating they will do so. You may also satisfy the lien and bring the signed-off title to the DMV.

If the vehicle is not registered or not operational, the lienholder may change the title only. If you wish to register the vehicle, you must obtain Nevada liability insurance in the same name(s) which will be on the new title and registration. If your vehicle requires a smog check, you must have a new test done if the last one is more than 90 days old. 

Bring the lienholder letter or signed-off title, current registration slip and an emissions Vehicle Inspection Report if needed to a DMV office to re-register the car. Credit will be given for the unused portion of the current registration.

If you are changing your name, you must have the legal document which authorizes the change (Marriage Certificate, divorce decree, etc.). Divorce decrees should include language which awards the vehicle to the new owner by Vehicle Identification Number.

Family Trusts

To transfer vehicles into a Family Trust, you must ask any lienholder to approve the change. The lienholder may ask you to sign either the title or a power of attorney, and may wish to refinance any loan. The lienholder will have to apply for the new title and issue you a letter, including the Vehicle Identification Number, stating they will do so. You may also satisfy the lien. The lienholder will release it and you may transfer the title into a trust.

You must add the name of the insured trustee to the registration and title or request that your insurance company report the vehicle in the name of the trust. The name of the insured on the Nevada Evidence of Insurance must match either a name of a trustee or the trust as the vehicle will be registered. This is necessary to comply with Nevada Liability Insurance Validation Electronically (NVLIVE). 

Please note the name of the trust can be a maximum of 50 characters. Bring the following items to a DMV office:

• Vehicle Title or lienholder letter
• Current registration
• Nevada Evidence of Insurance
• A completed Trustee Appointment and Powers Affidavit (VP 188) or court-certified trust documents

An emission inspection and registration renewal are not required.

You have the option of renewing your vehicle registration for a full year. You will need to complete an emission inspection if required and if the last test was completed more than 90 days ago. Your expiration date will change if the current expiration date is more than 35 days away. Credit will be given for the unused portion of your current Nevada registration.

If you have a Governmental Services Tax Exemption for Veterans, Disabled Veterans, Surviving Spouses or the Blind, you may apply this to a vehicle registered to a trust by completing the Trust Affidavit for Exemptions (VP 242). This must be filed at the registration renewal each year.

Proof of No Title Issued or Ownership Status

Locating Vehicle Owners/Bonded Title

Do not buy a vehicle from a private party unless the seller can provide a title in his or her name. A Bill of Sale by itself is not acceptable.

If you purchased a vehicle and do not have a title or adequate proof of ownership, bring any documentation you have to a DMV office. We will instruct you on how to attempt to locate and contact the previous owner.

If you are unable to contact the previous owner, you may be able to apply for a Bonded Title.

Publications and Contacts

Title Designs

See also:

• Lien Payoffs and Lease Buyouts.
• Transfer on Death
• Bonded Title
• Salvage Vehicles
• Flood-Damaged Vehicles

Odometer Disclosure Law

Effective January 1, 2021, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requires odometer disclosures until vehicles are 20 years old, beginning with vehicles of the 2011 model year. The previous rule was 10 years.

• If your vehicle is a 2011 model or newer, you must enter the current mileage in the Odometer Reading section of the title upon sale of the vehicle.
• If your vehicle is a 2010 model or older, you may check the exempt box on the title.

You must disclose the mileage even if the title says "Exempt - Model year over 9 years old." Titles now being issued reflect the new rule as shown below.

The seller must provide the buyer with a paper title for vehicles 2011 and newer. A Bill of Sale and Application for Duplicate Title or a non-secure Power of Attorney will not be accepted.

2011 vehicles will become exempt from odometer disclosure in the year 2031. 2012 vehicles will be exempt in 2032 and so on.

• Vehicle ownership transfers using a bill of sale and application for duplicate title and/or multiple bills of sale will not be allowed for model year 2011 and newer vehicles.
• Multiple private party sales will not be allowed for model year 2011 and newer vehicles.
• Use of a non-Secure Power of Attorney, for a vehicle sale, will not be allowed for 2011 and newer vehicles. 

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