West Virginia Title Transfer Cost
Transferring a car title in West Virginia costs $15 in title fees. Buying a used car privately for $15,000, you'd pay about $966.50 in total, with $900 of that in tax and the rest for title and registration.
West Virginia title fees
These are the title-related fees in West Virginia's official schedule (source). Most buyers pay only the standard title fee, plus a lien fee if the car is financed.
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Lien | $10 |
Example: buying a used car from a private seller in West Virginia
A 4-year-old car bought from a private seller for $15,000, worked out with the West Virginia car tax calculator:
| Title | $15 |
|---|---|
| Tax on the sale | $900 |
| Registration (if you register it now) | $51.50 |
| Estimated total | $966.50 |
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 to spouse, parent or child | Tax $0 |
|---|---|
| Other gift with DMV-5-TR affidavit | Tax $0 (otherwise taxed on NADA or price) |
| Gift with a lien | 6% of recorded lien amount |
Inherited vehicles
| Inheritance | Tax $0 |
|---|
Other cases that change the cost in West Virginia
| Manufacturer rebate | Taxable; not subtracted |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state trade-in | No credit |
| New resident, out-of-state title within 30 days | Tax $0 |
How West Virginia works out what you owe
- Net = price - trade-in (trade-in only if WV-titled in applicant's name)
- Private sale: use NADA Clean Loan value if vehicle is 2 years old or newer, or if price is under 50% of NADA without notarized bill of sale
- Tax = net x 6% (flat $30 if net is under $500)
- Total = tax + title + registration + lien + property tax + 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 West Virginia: transportation.wv.gov, dmv.wv.gov.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in West Virginia?
The title fee is $15. For a used car bought privately for $15,000, the title, tax and registration come to about $966.50.
Do I pay sales tax when a title is transferred in West Virginia?
Usually yes. On a $15,000 private sale, West Virginia charges about $900. Gifts, family transfers and inheritances can be treated differently (see below).
How do I transfer a car title to a family member in West Virginia?
Gift to spouse, parent or child: Tax $0. Other gift with DMV-5-TR affidavit: Tax $0 (otherwise taxed on NADA or price). Gift with a lien: 6% of recorded lien amount.
What happens to a car title after a death in West Virginia?
Inheritance: Tax $0.