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Mississippi title transfer fees
How much is the title fee in Mississippi?
$9
In plain English
The Department of Revenue's question-and-answer page gives the cost of a motor vehicle title as $9.00.
“How much does a title cost in Mississippi? Motor Vehicle Title: $9.00”
Worked example
Example: a $12,000 used car bought from a private seller in Mississippi. Title fee: $9. Tax is left out of this example. Not included: registration and plates, a lien fee, an out-of-state inspection, county or office add-ons, and late fees.
A made-up price; every other figure is from the quotes on this page. It is an illustration, not a bill.
What are the steps in Mississippi, and by when?
In plain English
A vehicle less than ten years old sold by a person who is not regularly in business is still subject to sales tax.
The official words
“Sales of motor vehicles that are less than ten years old made by persons not regularly engaged in business are subject to sales tax.”
In that kind of sale the tax is figured from a pre-determined value for that kind of car, not from the purchase price.
The official words
“The sales tax due is calculated by a pre-determined value for that kind of car. The purchase price is not used to determine the value of the vehicle.”
The buyer must register the vehicle within 30 business days of the purchase date.
The official words
“You must register the vehicle within 30 business days of the purchase date.”
At registration the owner pays privilege tax, registration fees, ad valorem (value-based) taxes, and sales or use tax if it applies. The registration fee is $14.00 for a first-time registration and $12.75 for a renewal, and the other taxes depend on the vehicle's type and value and on the city and county.
The official words
“You will pay: Privilege Tax Registration Fees Ad Valorem Taxes Sales or Use Tax, if applicable Registration Fees: $12.75 for renewals $14.00 for first-time registrations Other taxes depend on: Type and value of your vehicle Your city and county of residents.”
What if the car comes from another state?
In plain English
A person moving to Mississippi has 30 days to register a vehicle that has a current registration or valid license plate from the previous state.
The official words
“You have 30 days to register your vehicle(s) after moving to Mississippi, if you have a current registration/valid license plate from your previous state.”
Sales tax paid to another state is not credited toward Mississippi tax when the vehicle is registered.
The official words
“If you paid sales tax to another state, it will not be credited toward Mississippi tax when you register the vehicle.”
What about tax on the purchase in Mississippi?
In plain English
The agency page gives the sales tax rate as 5% of the net purchase price, meaning the price after dealer's discounts and trade-ins. The 5% applies to cars, vans, buses and trucks under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, while 3% applies to trucks over 10,000 pounds used for carrying property.
The official words
“The general sales tax rate is 5% on the net purchase price (after dealer’s discounts and trade-ins).”
“5% tax applies to: - Cars, vans, buses - Trucks under 10,000 pounds gross vehicle weight 3% tax applies to: - Trucks over 10,000 pounds used for carrying property”
We don’t work out tax for Mississippi.
What does a gift or family transfer change in Mississippi?
In plain English
When the buyer and seller are related (spouse, child, parent, grandchild, grandparent, brother or sister), the agency page calls for an Affidavit of Relationship to be completed. The sentence we hold does not say what the affidavit changes.
The official words
“If the buyer and seller are related (spouse, child, parent, grandchild, or grandparent, brother, sister), an Affidavit of Relationship should be completed.”
What happens if the transfer is late in Mississippi?
In plain English
This is about late registration: failing to register within 30 days brings standard late penalties and a $250 penalty.
The official words
“Failure to register within 30 days will result in: Standard late penalties A $250 penalty”
What the pages we read do not cover
The pages we read do not say what papers to bring or which office handles the title.
They do not give a fee for recording a lender's claim on the title.
They do not mention an inspection for a vehicle coming from another state.
How Mississippi compares
The title fee quoted for Mississippi is $9. Of the other 37 states with a figure, 5 states quote less, 31 states quote more and 1 state quotes the same. A title fee is one line, not the whole cost.
LowerHigher
The states whose flat title fee sits closest to Mississippi’s. Each figure is copied from the quote at the top of that state’s page, with its source and read date. A title fee is one line, not the whole cost.
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Reference only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the agency. Full statement
Sources
11 quoted lines from 2 official sources, each matched word for word on November 12, 2026. The state’s own titling page is dor.ms.gov.