Utah Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in Utah costs $6 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $891 in total, with $727.50 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
Utah title fees
These are the title-related fees in Utah's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $6 |
|---|
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in Utah
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the Utah car tax calculator:
| Title | $6 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $727.50 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $44 |
| Age-based uniform fee (if you register it now) | $110 |
| Driver ed + uninsured motorist (if you register it now) | $3.50 |
| Estimated total | $891 |
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
| Family transfer | No exemption; even a $1 sale is taxed |
|---|
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance with no purchase price | Sales tax typically $0; title and registration still due |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in Utah
| Manufacturer rebate | Reduces the taxable base |
|---|---|
| Dealer doc fee | Included in the taxable base |
| Tax paid to another U.S. state | Credit against Utah tax |
How Utah works out what you owe
- Taxable base = price - trade-in - rebate + taxable doc fee
- Tax = taxable base x combined rate
- Registration = base + uniform age-based fee + driver ed + uninsured motorist + corridor fee (listed counties) + air pollution fee (listed counties) + powertrain fee
- Total = tax + title + registration + 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 Utah: le.utah.gov, dmv.utah.gov, connect.udot.utah.gov, tax.utah.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Utah?
The title fee is $6. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $891.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in Utah?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, Utah charges about $727.50. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in Utah?
Family transfer: No exemption; even a $1 sale is taxed.
What happens to a car title after a death in Utah?
Inheritance with no purchase price: Sales tax typically $0; title and registration still due.