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Texas title transfer fees
How much is the title fee in Texas?
$28 or $33
Amounts in the quoted line; read it for which applies.
In plain English
The Texas DMV's page on out-of-state and imported vehicles lists a title application fee of $28 or $33, depending on the county. The quote does not say which counties charge which amount.
“Title application fee of $28 or $33, depending on the county,”
Worked example
Example: a $12,000 used car bought from a private seller in Texas. Title fee: $28 or $33, whichever case in the quoted line applies. 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?
- Out-of-state inspection
“If the vehicle is not subject to a commercial or emissions inspection, self-certify the vehicle identification number on the form”
What are the steps in Texas, and by when?
In plain English
The vehicle is required to be titled in the buyer's name within 30 days from the date of sale.
The official words
“Vehicles are required to be titled in the buyer's name within 30 days from the date of sale.”
Local registration fees vary from county to county and are set by each county's Commissioner's Court.
The official words
“Local fees vary from county to county and are established by county Commissioner’s Courts.”
What if the car comes from another state?
New residents have
30 days
“You have 30 days from the time you move here to register your vehicle in the state.”
In plain English
A person who moves to Texas has 30 days from the move to register a vehicle in the state.
The official words
“You have 30 days from the time you move here to register your vehicle in the state.”
If the vehicle is not subject to a commercial or emissions inspection, the applicant self-certifies the vehicle identification number on the form.
The official words
“If the vehicle is not subject to a commercial or emissions inspection, self-certify the vehicle identification number on the form”
A new resident pays a $90 new resident tax in place of use tax on a vehicle brought into Texas, if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.
The official words
“$90 new resident tax due in lieu of use tax on a vehicle brought into Texas by a new resident, if the vehicle was previously registered in the new resident's name in another state or foreign country.”
What about tax on the purchase in Texas?
In plain English
When a vehicle is bought from an individual, a motor vehicle sales tax of 6.25 percent is paid when the vehicle is titled. It is taken on the purchase price or the standard presumptive value, whichever is higher.
The official words
“If buying from an individual, a motor vehicle sales tax (6.25 percent) on either the purchase price or standard presumptive value (whichever is the highest value), must be paid when the vehicle is titled.”
We don’t work out tax for Texas.
What does a gift or family transfer change in Texas?
In plain English
A $10 gift tax applies to a person who receives the vehicle from a spouse, parent or stepparent, grandparent or grandchild, child or stepchild, sibling, guardian, a decedent's estate, or a non-profit 501(c)(3).
The official words
“A $10 gift tax applies to a person who receives the vehicle from a: spouse, parent or stepparent, grandparent or grandchild, child or stepchild, sibling, guardian, decedent’s estate, or a non-profit 501(c)(3).”
What happens if the transfer is late in Texas?
In plain English
For late titling, the DMV says failing to title a vehicle within 30 days from the date of sale may result in delinquent transfer penalties, without printing an amount. For late tax, the Comptroller assesses a 5 percent penalty when tax is paid 1-30 days after the due date and a 10 percent penalty when it is paid over 30 days after.
The official words
“Failure to title a vehicle within 30 days from the date of sale may result in delinquent transfer penalties.”
“If tax is paid 1-30 days after the due date, a 5 percent penalty is assessed. If tax is paid over 30 days after the due date, a 10 percent penalty is assessed.”
What the pages we read do not cover
The quotes we hold do not say which counties charge the lower or the higher title application fee.
The pages we read do not give a fee for recording a lender's claim on the title.
The quotes do not say which office takes the title application or the amount of the delinquent transfer penalties.
How Texas compares
The lowest title fee amount quoted for Texas is $28. Of the other 37 states with a figure, 25 states quote less and 12 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
Sources
10 quoted lines from 5 official sources, each matched word for word on November 12, 2026. The state’s own titling page is txdmv.gov.
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Buying or Selling a Vehicle · txdmv.gov
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Out of State and Imported Vehicles · txdmv.gov
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, New to Texas · txdmv.gov
- Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, Register Your Vehicle · txdmv.gov
- Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax · comptroller.texas.gov