North Dakota Title Transfer

A North Dakota title transfer happens at the buyer's county treasurer office or at an NDDOT Motor Vehicle Division office. The process is straightforward - a one-page application, a 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax, a $5 title fee, and a damage disclosure statement when the vehicle is less than nine years old. The seller's job is to assign the title properly and file a notice of transfer; the buyer's job is to file the application and pay the excise tax within 30 days.

The seller's responsibilities

On the back of the North Dakota Certificate of Title, the seller completes:

• The buyer's full legal name and address.
• The sale date and purchase price.
• The current odometer reading (federal disclosure required for vehicles under 20 model years old).
• The seller's signature.

The seller should also file form SFN-2435 - Notice of Transfer / Bill of Sale - with NDDOT or the county treasurer. The Notice removes the vehicle from the seller's record and protects against later citations or tickets accrued by the buyer. North Dakota plates are owner-attached, so the seller typically removes the plates and either transfers them to a replacement vehicle or surrenders them to NDDOT.

The buyer's responsibilities

The buyer has 30 days from the sale date to title and register the vehicle in North Dakota. Bring the following to the county treasurer or NDDOT:

• The properly assigned title from the seller.
• Form SFN-2872 - Application for Certificate of Title and Registration.
• A completed bill of sale or SFN-2435 showing price, date, and odometer reading.
• Form SFN-2486 - Damage Disclosure Statement (vehicles less than 9 model years old).
• Proof of North Dakota auto insurance meeting 25/50/25 + UM 25/50 + MedPay $5,000 - see North Dakota car insurance.
• A photo ID.
• Lien release if the previous title shows a lien (or new lien information if the buyer financed the purchase).

The 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax

North Dakota collects a 5% Motor Vehicle Excise Tax on the purchase price of every titled vehicle, paid at the time of registration. The tax is calculated on the actual sale price for private-party sales. Trade-in credits reduce the taxable purchase price when the trade is processed through a licensed dealer; private-party trades do not qualify for the trade-in credit. North Dakota credits sales tax already paid in another state up to the North Dakota tax amount.

Title fee and other costs

• Title fee: $5.
• Lien filing fee: $5.
• Initial registration: $49-$274 based on vehicle age and weight.
• License plate transfer: often included if you keep your owner-attached plates.
• Late title penalty: applies if the buyer misses the 30-day deadline.

Family transfers and exemptions

North Dakota waives the 5% excise tax on several family transfers, including:

• Spouse-to-spouse transfers.
• Parent-to-child or child-to-parent transfers.
• Transfers between siblings.
• Inheritance from a deceased spouse or parent.
• Transfers as part of a divorce settlement.

To claim a family exemption, the buyer files an Affidavit of Exemption with NDDOT or the county treasurer. The title fee still applies. Inheritance transfers may also require a copy of the death certificate and a letter of testamentary or affidavit of small estate.

Buying from a dealer

When you buy from a licensed North Dakota dealer, the dealer handles the paperwork in most cases - the dealer collects the excise tax, files the SFN-2872, and submits everything to NDDOT or the county treasurer on your behalf. You typically drive off with a 30-day temporary registration; the permanent plates and title arrive by mail within 4-6 weeks. Always confirm with the dealer that the title work has been filed within the 30-day window.

Out-of-state title transfers

If the previous title is from another state, bring it to NDDOT or the county treasurer along with the SFN-2872 and proof of North Dakota residency. North Dakota will not retitle without a properly assigned out-of-state title. If the previous state held the title electronically (paperless), the seller must request a paper title from that state's DMV before transferring to a North Dakota buyer. New residents have 30 days to title and register a vehicle from another state.