How To Get a Car Title in Minnesota 2026
Minnesota law requires that all motor vehicles owned by Minnesota residents must be titled with the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS). Vehicle owners must obtain a certificate of title within 10 business days of purchase or upon establishing Minnesota residency. The Driver and Vehicle Services Division, operating under the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, administers the vehicle titling program and maintains ownership records for all motor vehicles registered throughout Minnesota's 87 counties.
Where to Apply for a Minnesota Certificate of Title
Minnesota residents must submit title applications through authorized processing facilities designated by Driver and Vehicle Services:
- Deputy Registrar Offices – Licensed offices located throughout Minnesota counties and municipalities
- DVS Driver Exam Stations – State-operated facilities in select metropolitan and regional areas
- Licensed Minnesota Vehicle Dealers – Authorized dealerships with electronic title system access
- Online Services Portal – Electronic submission platform for qualifying transactions through the DVS website
- DVS Self-Service Kiosks – Automated stations for limited transaction types at select locations
Required Documents for Title Application in Minnesota
Applicants must furnish comprehensive documentation when requesting a Minnesota certificate of title through authorized processing locations:
Primary Documentation
| Document Type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Previous Certificate of Title or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin | Document must display proper assignment chain to the applicant with all required signatures executed, or show the applicant as the original designated purchaser |
| Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle (Form PS2000) | Completed form containing accurate owner information, vehicle specifications, and transaction details |
| Proof of Sales Tax Payment or Exemption | Documentation establishing that motor vehicle sales tax obligations have been satisfied or exemption criteria are met |
Additional Documentation Requirements
Supplementary materials may be necessary depending on transaction circumstances and vehicle characteristics:
| Document Type | Purpose | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Valid Minnesota Driver's License or State Identification | Verify applicant identity and residency status | Out-of-state identification requires two additional proofs of Minnesota residency dated within 30 days |
| Proof of Minnesota Residency | Confirm physical address within state boundaries | Acceptable documents include utility bills, mortgage statements, lease agreements, or employment verification |
| Bill of Sale or Purchase Documentation | Establish transaction date and purchase price | Required for sales tax calculation and verification of consideration paid |
| Insurance Verification | Demonstrate minimum liability coverage | Minnesota requires proof of automobile insurance meeting statutory minimum requirements |
| Odometer Disclosure Statement | Record accurate vehicle mileage | Mandatory for vehicles model year 2011 or newer under federal and state disclosure laws |
| Safety Inspection Certificate | Verify compliance with Minnesota safety standards | Required for certain out-of-state vehicles and salvage title conversions |
Minnesota Title Fees and Costs
The Driver and Vehicle Services Division establishes standardized fee schedules for title transactions processed throughout Minnesota. All title transactions incur multiple mandatory fees, including the base title fee, filing fee, technology surcharge, and public safety vehicle fee.
Standard Title Fees
| Title Service | Fee |
|---|---|
| Title Fee (Original/Transfer/Correction) | $8.25 |
| Duplicate Title Fee | $7.25 |
| Grant of Security Interest (Lien Recording) | $2.00 |
| Release of Security Interest (Lien Removal) | Varies* |
| Assignment of Security Interest | $2.00 |
| Salvage Inspection Fee | $35.00 |
*Release of security interest fees are waived if submitted with another transaction; however, the $12.00 filing fee applies to clear a lien from a title.
Mandatory Surcharges (Due With Each Title Transaction)
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Filing Fee | $12.00 | Due with all title transactions |
| Technology Surcharge | $2.25 | Funds vehicle services information systems; due with most transactions except lien-only changes |
| Public Safety Vehicle (PSV) Fee | $3.50 | Charged on all vehicle title and registration transactions |
| Transfer Tax | $10.00 | Due on title transfers (exceptions: joint-to-single transfers, licensed dealer inventory, government entities, vehicles <1,000 lb) |
Additional Fees and Taxes
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Deputy Registrar Service Fee | Varies | County-specific charges for transaction processing services |
| Motor Vehicle Sales Tax | 6.875% | Calculated on purchase price or average dealer retail value from NADA guides (effective July 1, 2023) |
| Registration Tax | Varies | Based on vehicle value, age, and type; typically $35–$500 annually |
| Late Transfer Penalty | $2.00 | One-time fee applied if title transfer application not submitted within 20 calendar days of sale date |
| Expedited Processing (Optional) | $20.00 | Available for customers requesting priority service |
| Electric Vehicle (EV) Surcharge | $150.00 | Additional annual charge; amount may be greater based on vehicle age and MSRP |
| Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) Surcharge | $75.00 | Additional annual charge; amount may be greater based on vehicle age and MSRP |
Step-by-Step Title Application Process
Step 1: Gather Required Documentation
Obtain the properly assigned previous title or manufacturer's statement of origin, completed PS2000 form, bill of sale, valid identification, proof of Minnesota residency, insurance verification, and any supplementary materials applicable to your transaction.
Step 2: Determine Sales Tax Liability
Calculate the 6.875% motor vehicle sales tax based on the purchase price or average dealer retail value from NADA guides, whichever is greater. Certain transactions qualify for reduced rates or exemptions, including gifts between immediate family members, transfers due to death, or disabled veteran purchases.
Step 3: Verify Insurance Requirements
Ensure the vehicle is covered by an automobile insurance policy meeting Minnesota statutory minimum liability coverage. The insurance policy must be in effect at the time of application submission, and proof must be presented to the deputy registrar.
Step 4: Submit Application to Deputy Registrar or Online
Present all documentation to a deputy registrar's office or DVS driver exam station. Representatives will review materials for completeness and accuracy, verify vehicle identification numbers when necessary, and process the application through the DVS electronic system. Alternatively, eligible transactions may be submitted through the online services portal.
Step 5: Pay All Applicable Fees and Taxes
Remit the $8.25 title fee, $12.00 filing fee, $2.25 technology surcharge, $3.50 public safety vehicle fee, $10.00 transfer tax (if applicable), 6.875% motor vehicle sales tax, registration tax if simultaneous registration is requested, any county-specific deputy registrar service fees, and any applicable late penalties. Payment methods accepted include cash, checks, money orders, and major credit cards at most locations.
Step 6: Await Title Certificate Delivery
Upon successful application submission, you will receive confirmation of your title application and a reference number for tracking purposes. Standard processing for new title and transfer applications requires approximately 8 to 10 weeks from the application submission date. The Driver and Vehicle Services Division will mail the certificate of title to the owner's address of record, or to the lienholder if a security interest has been recorded. Duplicate title requests typically arrive within 14 days. If you have not received your title within six months, your application for a duplicate title will be processed at no fee.
Expedited Processing Option: For an additional $20.00 fee, you may request expedited processing to receive your title more quickly than standard timeframes.
Exemptions from Title Requirements
Specific vehicle categories are excluded from Minnesota's mandatory titling requirements under state statute:
- Vehicles model year 1972 or older that have never been previously titled in Minnesota
- Trailers with a gross vehicle weight rating not exceeding 4,000 pounds
- All-terrain vehicles, off-highway motorcycles, and snowmobiles registered through separate systems
- Farm tractors and self-propelled agricultural equipment used exclusively for farming operations
- Vehicles owned by the United States government or its agencies
- Special mobile equipment and machinery not designed for highway transportation
- Implements of husbandry operated primarily for agricultural purposes
- Vehicles registered under the International Registration Plan for interstate commercial transport
Contact Information
Inquiries regarding title applications, processing status, or documentation requirements should be directed to the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services Division.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Driver and Vehicle Services
445 Minnesota Street, Suite 195, Saint Paul, MN 55101–5190
Phone: (651) 297–2126
Official Website: Driver and Vehicle Services
