How to Add a Name to a Car Title

Adding a name to a car’s certificate of title requires a relatively simple trip to your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office, but the exact requirements and fees vary from state to state.

QUICK LOOK

• Adding a name to a car title is similar to completing a title transfer wherein the “seller” is the current owner and the “buyers” are the current owner and the person being added.
• Some states allow you to add a new owner to your vehicle registration, while other states require joint owners to file vehicle registration separately.
• You’ll need to alert your auto insurance provider of a new driver on your policy after adding a name to your car title.

Step 1: Find your current title

The name on a car title establishes proof of ownership for the vehicle. Adding an additional name to your car title grants joint ownership of the vehicle. To add a name to a vehicle title, you’ll first need to be able to bring the original title to your local DMV office.

What to do: If you are the registered owner of the vehicle, locate your current title. If you can’t find it, you’ll need to contact your state DMV to request a replacement title.

Step 2: Notify the lienholder, if applicable

If you are still paying off a car loan, your lender will be listed on your car title as a lienholder, meaning they own more of the car than you do.

To add a person to the title of a lienholder-owned vehicle: Let the lienholder know you want to add an additional person to the title.

The lienholder will need to apply for the change by providing a letter with the car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), stating their intent to add an additional person to the title.

Step 3: Sign the title with the new owner

Adding a name to a car title that you already own is similar to a title transfer. The main difference is that instead of completing a full transfer of ownership to someone else, you are essentially transferring a share of the ownership.

What to do:

• Sign your name to the back of the title on the seller line.

• Add your name and the name of whoever is being added to the title to the buyer’s section

• If the title says Person 1 AND Person 2: Both you and your transferee must sign the title transfer and on any future matters related to the title.

• If the title says Person 1 OR Person 2: Only the current vehicle owners need to sign the title and either the original owner or new owner can be responsible for future matters related to the title.

In most states, you’ll need to bring your signed certificate of title to your local DMV with the following commonly required documents:

• Completed Application for Certificate of Title

• Odometer reading listed on the title or a bill of sale or an odometer disclosure statement

• Payment for local title fees

Key TakeawayAdding an additional name to a car title is similar to the process of transferring a title when selling a car. When you add a person to a car title, you are “selling” the car to yourself and that additional person, be they a spouse or partner.

Step 4: Inform your insurer of the change

You’ll need to update your insurance company with the person being added to the car’s title. This can include the following steps:

• Adding the new driver to your car’s insurance policy

• Providing the insurer with a copy of the new title for their records.

Keep in mind: You may see your car insurance rates change after adding a new driver to your policy, depending on their driver profile.

Changing the name on a car title

To update your car title after you’ve changed your name:

• Follow the same steps listed above for adding a name to a title for a car you own.

• Complete the buyer section with your name change.

• Bring the signed certificate of title and any required title transfer forms to your local DMV.

A transfer fee may be required before your state will issue the replacement title.

Update your registration

Some states allow a vehicle owner to add an additional driver to the vehicle registration, while others require separate registrations for each driver.

What to expect: Check with the DMV in your state to figure out how you and your joint car owner will need to handle joint registration and registration fees.

MEET OUR EXPERTS

Jason Tushinski

Jason Tushinski is an insurance writer with a background in journalism and over seven years of experience in freelance writing. Jason specializes in insurance and combines a wealth of skills obtained throughout the publishing industry to create useful, easy-to-understand content for car owners. Jason has written over 1,000 articles for Jerry on topics ranging from insurance company offerings to DMV processes to car model specifications. Before joining Jerry, Jason worked as freelance video content creator, news writer and editor for the Sun News Network, and researcher for CBC. His writing is published in Maclean’s and This Magazine.

Pat Roache

Pat Roache is an insurance writer with over two years of experience in the automotive industry. With a focus on car insurance, maintenance, and brand reviews, Pat’s mission is to create engaging and accessible content that empowers readers to take autonomy over their car ownership. As a writer and editor with Jerry, Pat has penned over 600 original articles and edited over 1,000. Pat’s 8+ years of experience in the performing arts as a writer, director, producer, and performer lend to their keen eye for research and presentation. Most recently, Pat’s new English translation of Donizetti’s Italian opera “D[x]n Pasquale” had its world premiere in 2022 with Opera MODO (Detroit, MI). Pat also writes grants for an LGBTQ arts non-profit in Chicago, IL.