Missouri Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Missouri costs $17.50 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $711.50 in total, with $633.75 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Missouri title fees
These are the title-related fees in Missouri's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $8.50 |
|---|---|
| Title processing | $9 |
| Plate transfer | $2 |
| Lien notice | $9 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Missouri
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Missouri car tax calculator:
| Title + processing | $17.50 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $633.75 |
| Registration + processing (if you register it now) | $60.25 |
| Estimated total | $711.50 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
Missouri charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plate transfer $2.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift (donor paid tax) | Tax $0 with proof |
|---|---|
| Adding/dropping spouse or name | Tax $0 |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Missouri
| New resident, owned/titled/registered out of state 90+ days | No additional Missouri tax |
|---|---|
| Private sale replacing a vehicle sold within 180 days | Tax reduced/eliminated if documented (RSMo 144.025) |
| Owned out of state under 90 days | Missouri tax minus tax paid to another state |
| Military | No automatic exemption |
How Missouri works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - trade-in - rebate
- Tax = taxable base x (4.225% + buyer local rate)
- Title = $8.50 + $9 processing (+ $9 lien notice)
- Registration = horsepower fee (x2 for 2-year) + processing, or plate transfer + processing
- Total = tax + title + registration + EV/PHEV decal + inspection + 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 Missouri: dor.mo.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Missouri?
The title fee is $17.50. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $711.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Missouri?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Missouri charges about $633.75. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in Missouri?
Yes. Plate transfer: $2.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Missouri?
Gift (donor paid tax): Tax $0 with proof. Adding/dropping spouse or name: Tax $0.
What happens to a car title after a death in Missouri?
Inheritance: Tax $0.