North Dakota Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in North Dakota costs $5 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $848 in total, with $750 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
North Dakota title fees
These are the title-related fees in North Dakota's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $5 |
|---|---|
| Abandoned vehicle fee initial title | $1.50 |
| Plate transfer | $5 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in North Dakota
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the North Dakota car tax calculator:
| Title | $5 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $750 |
| License fee (full year) (if you register it now) | $93 |
| Estimated total | $848 |
Local taxes, county fees and inspections aren't included. Run your own numbers in the calculator.
Deadline and late fees
North Dakota charges a penalty if the title isn't transferred on time. Late penalties: plate transfer $5.
Transferring a title to a family member or as a gift
| Family gift (spouse, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild, sibling) | Tax $0 |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance / bequest / decedent trust | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in North Dakota
| Divorce transfer within 1 year of decree | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Certified service-member transfer within 30-day window | Tax $0 |
| Enrolled tribal member living on a ND reservation | Tax $0 |
| Renewal | No excise, no title |
| Ordinary hybrids | No EV/PHEV fee |
How North Dakota works out what you owe
- Taxable = price + accessories/prep/freight - trade-in - manufacturer rebate - auction fee
- Tax = taxable x 5%
- Total = tax + title + abandoned vehicle fee + license fee + EV/PHEV fee + plate transfer + SRP + 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 North Dakota: www.tax.nd.gov, www.dot.nd.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in North Dakota?
The title fee is $5. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $848.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in North Dakota?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, North Dakota charges about $750. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
Is there a late fee for transferring a title in North Dakota?
Yes. Plate transfer: $5.
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in North Dakota?
Family gift (spouse, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild, sibling): Tax $0.
What happens to a car title after a death in North Dakota?
Inheritance / bequest / decedent trust: Tax $0.