Minnesota Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Minnesota costs $51.50 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,423.50 in total, with $1,031.25 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Minnesota title fees
These are the title-related fees in Minnesota's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title package | $51.50 |
|---|---|
| Title package parts (title) | $8.25 |
| Title package parts (filing) | $12 |
| Title package parts (technology) | $2.25 |
| Title package parts (public safety vehicle) | $3.50 |
| Title package parts (transfer) | $10 |
| Title package parts (plates) | $15.50 |
| Lien | $2 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Minnesota
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Minnesota car tax calculator:
| Title & filing package | $51.50 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $1,031.25 |
| Registration tax (if you register it now) | $340.75 |
| Estimated total | $1,423.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Minnesota charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: title package parts (plates) $15.50.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Family gift (spouse, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Divorce transfer to spouse | Tax $0 |
| Nominal ($1) non-family gift | Taxable |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance / bequest / TOD | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Minnesota
| New resident, titled out of state over 60 days | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Qualifying disabled veteran | Tax $0 with proof |
| Tax paid to reciprocal state | Credit against MVST |
| Older low-value passenger vehicle (10+ model years, price under $3,000, average value under $3,000) | $10 in-lieu tax instead of 6.875% MVST |
How Minnesota works out what you owe
- Taxable = price - motor vehicle trade-in (doc fee not taxable)
- MVST = taxable x 6.875%
- Registration tax from MSRP and year of life
- Total = MVST + title package + lien + deputy fee + registration tax + EV surcharge + wheelage + local excise + 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 Minnesota: www.revisor.mn.gov, dps.mn.gov, assets.dps.mn.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Minnesota?
The title fee is $51.50. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,423.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Minnesota?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Minnesota charges about $1,031.25. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Minnesota?
Yes. Title package parts (plates): $15.50.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Minnesota?
Family gift (spouse, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild): Tax $0. Divorce transfer to spouse: Tax $0. Nominal ($1) non-family gift: Taxable.
What happens to a car title after a death in Minnesota?
Inheritance / bequest / TOD: Tax $0.