New Jersey Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in New Jersey costs $60 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $1,100.25 in total, with $993.75 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
New Jersey title fees
These are the title-related fees in New Jersey's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $60 |
|---|---|
| Title with lien | $85 |
| Title search | $15 |
| Registration transfer | $4.50 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in New Jersey
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the New Jersey car tax calculator:
| Title | $60 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $993.75 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $46.50 |
| Estimated total | $1,100.25 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Gift (title marked GIFT, free and clear or prior co-owner) | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Gift with assumed lien | 6.625% of principal assumed |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance / legatee / trust beneficiary | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in New Jersey
| Bought out of state while a nonresident | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Military with Letter of Deferment | Tax deferred |
| VA-funded purchase by disabled veteran | Tax $0 |
| Undervalued private sale | May be assessed at NADA value |
How New Jersey works out what you owe
- Taxable = price - trade-in
- Tax = taxable x 6.625%
- Total = tax + title + registration + ZEV fees + 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 New Jersey: www.nj.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in New Jersey?
The title fee is $60. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $1,100.25.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in New Jersey?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, New Jersey charges about $993.75. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in New Jersey?
Gift (title marked GIFT, free and clear or prior co-owner): Tax $0. Gift with assumed lien: 6.625% of principal assumed.
What happens to a car title after a death in New Jersey?
Inheritance / legatee / trust beneficiary: Tax $0.