Connecticut Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Connecticut costs $25 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,159 in total, with $952.50 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Connecticut title fees
These are the title-related fees in Connecticut's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $25 |
|---|---|
| Plate | $5 |
| Lien | $10 |
| Greenhouse gas existing title | $7.50 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Connecticut
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Connecticut car tax calculator:
| Title | $25 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $952.50 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $120 |
| Plate (if you register it now) | $5 |
| Admin fee (if you register it now) | $10 |
| Clean Air Act fee (if you register it now) | $15 |
| Passport to the Parks (if you register it now) | $24 |
| Greenhouse gas fee (if you register it now) | $7.50 |
| Estimated total | $1,159 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Connecticut charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plate $5.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Immediate family transfer | Tax $0 (qualifying relationship, 60+ days prior registration, prior tax paid) |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Connecticut
| New resident, same-name out-of-state registration 30+ days | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Nonresident active-duty military (CERT-135) | 4.5% rate |
| Tax paid to another state | Credit against Connecticut tax |
| Private sale | No trade-in credit |
How Connecticut works out what you owe
- Dealer: taxable = price + taxable extras - trade-in
- Private: taxable = greater of NADA average trade-in or bill of sale price
- Tax = taxable x 6.35% (7.75% luxury rate if over threshold)
- Total = tax + title + registration + plate + admin + clean air + parks fee + new-vehicle fees + emissions + lien + property tax + doc fee
What to bring
The title signed over by the seller (with the odometer reading), a bill of sale, proof of insurance and your ID. If the car still has a loan, the lender must release the lien first.
Official sources checked for Connecticut: portal.ct.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Connecticut?
The title fee is $25. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,159.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Connecticut?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Connecticut charges about $952.50. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Connecticut?
Yes. Plate: $5.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Connecticut?
Immediate family transfer: Tax $0 (qualifying relationship, 60+ days prior registration, prior tax paid).
What happens to a car title after a death in Connecticut?
Inheritance: Tax $0.