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South Dakota title transfer fees
How much is the title fee in South Dakota?
$10
In plain English
The Department of Revenue's fee list shows a title fee of $10. If a lender's claim is noted on the title, the lien notation fee is another $10, and the same page describes a $2 technology fee that is applied to certain transactions.
“Title Fee $10”
The official words for the rest
“Lien Notation Fee $10”
“Technology Fee: A $2 fee applied to certain transactions to help cover the cost of maintaining, upgrading, and securing the technology systems that support our services.”
Worked example
Example: a $12,000 used car bought from a private seller in South Dakota. Title fee: $10. 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 other fees come with it?
- Lien fee$10added if there is a loan
“Lien Notation Fee $10”
What are the steps in South Dakota, and by when?
In plain English
Besides the title, the page says the seller provides the purchaser with a Bill of Sale. The seller has 45 days to deliver the title.
The official words
“In addition to the title, when selling a vehicle, the party selling the vehicle should provide to the purchaser a Bill of Sale .”
“The seller has 45 days to deliver title.”
A seller's permit allows the new owner to drive legally while waiting to apply for title. It is valid for 45 days.
The official words
“A seller’s permit allows the new owner to drive legally while waiting to apply for title.”
“The seller's permit is valid for 45 days.”
Titling and registration are handled through the local county treasurer's office.
The official words
“Motor vehicle titling and registration is handled through your local county treasurer’s office .”
The Motor Vehicle or Boat Title & Registration Application must be signed by the record owner or owners, or by an authorized agent for them.
The official words
“A Motor Vehicle or Boat Title & Registration Application must be signed by the record owner(s) or by an authorized agent for the record owner(s).”
For a recently purchased vehicle, the title must be updated within 45 days from the date of purchase. Registration is required within 45 days of the purchase date.
The official words
“If you have recently purchased a vehicle, titles must be updated within 45 days from the date of purchase.”
“Registrations are required within 45 days of the purchase date.”
A buyer who already holds license plates transfers them from the old vehicle to the newly acquired vehicle.
The official words
“If you purchase a new vehicle, you will transfer the license plates from your old vehicle to your newly acquired vehicle.”
The fee table lists a $10 title fee, and vehicles registered in South Dakota are subject to the 4% motor vehicle excise tax. Registration fees are based on the weight and year of the vehicle and on its intended use.
The official words
“Title Fee $10”
“Motor vehicles registered in the State of South Dakota are subject to the 4% motor vehicle excise tax.”
“Fees are based on the weight and year of the vehicle / trailer in addition to its intended use.”
What if the car comes from another state?
New residents have
90 days
“You have 90 days from your date of arrival to title and license your vehicle in South Dakota.”
In plain English
A new arrival has 90 days from the date of arrival to title and license a vehicle in South Dakota.
The official words
“You have 90 days from your date of arrival to title and license your vehicle in South Dakota.”
A vehicle already titled and licensed in another state generally gets reciprocity, with no additional tax owed when the previous state's tax rate is above South Dakota's 4%.
The official words
“If you have titled and licensed your vehicles in another state, generally you will be granted reciprocity when you come to South Dakota and will not have to pay any additional tax if your previous state’s tax rate is above South Dakota’s 4% tax rate.”
The fee page also prints an additional $100 fee on top of the standard title application fee. The line held here does not name who pays it.
The official words
“will pay an additional $100 fee on top of the standard title application fee.”
What about tax on the purchase in South Dakota?
In plain English
Motor vehicles registered in South Dakota are subject to a 4% motor vehicle excise tax. A person who titled and licensed vehicles in another state is generally granted reciprocity and pays no additional tax if the previous state's tax rate is above South Dakota's 4%.
The official words
“Motor vehicles registered in the State of South Dakota are subject to the 4% motor vehicle excise tax.”
“If you have titled and licensed your vehicles in another state, generally you will be granted reciprocity when you come to South Dakota and will not have to pay any additional tax if your previous state’s tax rate is above South Dakota’s 4% tax rate.”
We don’t work out tax for South Dakota.
What does a gift or family transfer change in South Dakota?
Nothing on this in the official pages we read for South Dakota. That is about our reading, not about South Dakota’s rules.
What happens if the transfer is late in South Dakota?
In plain English
A late title application carries a $1.00 penalty fee for every week past the 45-day grace period, up to a maximum of $50. Separately, a one-time tax penalty equal to 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater, is applied to any application made after 60 days from the purchase date.
The official words
“Late Title Application Fee $1.00 penalty fee for every week past your 45-day grace period. Maximum fine of $50.”
“Penalty: A one-time penalty equal to 10% of the tax or $10, whichever is greater, is automatically applied against any application made after 60 days from the purchase date.”
What the pages we read do not cover
The quotes we hold say nothing about gifts or transfers within a family.
The quotes do not mention a vehicle identification number inspection for a vehicle from another state.
How South Dakota compares
The title fee quoted for South Dakota is $10. Of the other 37 states with a figure, 7 states quote less, 25 states quote more and 5 states quote the same. A title fee is one line, not the whole cost.
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The states whose flat title fee sits closest to South Dakota’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.
Every state in one table · How a title transfer works
Add it up for South Dakota
Reference only, not legal or tax advice. Confirm with the agency. Full statement
Sources
19 quoted lines from 3 official sources, each matched word for word on November 12, 2026. The state’s own titling page is dor.sd.gov.