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New Jersey title transfer fees
How much is the title fee in New Jersey?
$60 or $85
Amounts in the quoted line; read it for which applies.
In plain English
The Motor Vehicle Commission's fee page lists $60 to transfer a title, or $85 when there is a lien, which is a lender's claim recorded on the title. Its page for people moving to the state likewise lists $85 for a financed vehicle with one lien.
“Transfer of the title is $60 (or $85 with a lien).”
The official words for the rest
“$85 for financed vehicle with one lien”
Worked example
Example: a $12,000 used car bought from a private seller in New Jersey. Title fee: $60 or $85, whichever case in the quoted line applies. Tax at the quoted 6.625% of $12,000: $795, before any trade-in, credit or exemption in the quoted lines. 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 other fees come with it?
- Lien fee
“$85 for financed vehicle with one lien”
What are the steps in New Jersey, and by when?
In plain English
A New Jersey title or a dealer reassigned title has to be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale to avoid a $25 penalty.
The official words
“To avoid a $25 penalty, New Jersey or dealer reassigned titles must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale.”
What if the car comes from another state?
In plain English
A person moving to New Jersey has 60 days to transfer the vehicle title and registration, with or without a lien, or 120 days during a Public Health Emergency.
The official words
“Under New Jersey law, you must transfer your vehicle title and registration (with or without a lien) within 60 days (120 days during a Public Health Emergency).”
What about tax on the purchase in New Jersey?
In plain English
The Division of Taxation's page on casual sales gives a rate of 6.625% on the purchase price of a new or used vehicle, as of January 1, 2018.
The official words
“As of January 1, 2018, the rate is 6.625% on the purchase price of a new or used vehicle.”
The tool below multiplies the quoted percentage by a price typed in, as an illustration. Trade-ins, credits and exemptions are not applied.
A calculator on a state or county government site: 4-Year Registration Fee Calculator (nj.gov).
What does a gift or family transfer change in New Jersey?
In plain English
A vehicle is exempt from sales tax only if the purchase price line on the reverse side of the title says it is a gift. The Division of Taxation's page adds that no sales tax is due for a person who was a co-owner on the original title.
The official words
“A vehicle is only exempt from sales tax if the customer indicates on the purchase price line on the reverse side of the title that it is a gift.”
“If you were a co-owner on the original title, there is no Sales Tax due.”
What happens if the transfer is late in New Jersey?
In plain English
Late titling carries a $25 penalty. It applies when a New Jersey or dealer reassigned title is not transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale.
The official words
“To avoid a $25 penalty, New Jersey or dealer reassigned titles must be transferred within 10 working days from the date of sale.”
What the pages we read do not cover
The pages we read do not say what papers to bring or which office handles the transfer.
The quotes we hold do not say what tax, if any, a new resident owes on a vehicle brought into the state.
How New Jersey compares
The lowest title fee amount quoted for New Jersey is $60. Of the other 37 states with a figure, 33 states quote less and 4 states quote more. 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
More from New Jersey’s official pages
Registration and plates
“7 older than 2 years Under 3,500 lbs. $46.50 7 within 2 years Under 3,500 lbs. $59.00 8 older than 2 years Over 3,500 lbs. $71.50 8 within 2 years Over 3,500 lbs. $84.00”
Sources
9 quoted lines from 5 official sources, each matched word for word on November 12, 2026. The state’s own titling page is nj.gov.
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Registration and Title Fees · nj.gov
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Transferring Vehicle Ownership · nj.gov
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Moving to New Jersey · nj.gov
- New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, Vehicles Exempt From Sales Tax · nj.gov
- New Jersey Division of Taxation, Motor Vehicle Casual Sales Frequently Asked Questions · nj.gov