Overview
The feature worth knowing about is one most states don't offer: a Transfer-on-Death (TOD) designation on a Kansas title. File a notarized TR-82 affidavit naming a beneficiary, and when the owner dies the vehicle passes directly to that person at the county treasurer - no probate court, no waiting on an estate. It costs the same $10 as any other title transaction and can be set up any time you hold clear title.
01 - Official fees
Kansas title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title application fee | $10.00 | |
| Transfer-on-Death (TOD) designation | $10.00 | Form TR-82, notarized |
| Late title penalty | $1.00/month | or partial month |
| 60-day temporary permit | $13.00 | $8 permit + $5 county fee |
| Duplicate title | $10.00 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county treasurer (Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Kansas
- 1
Seller signs the title's assignment section; record the odometer reading.
- 2
Buyer completes the Title and Registration Application (Form TR-212a).
- 3
Bring the signed title, application, bill of sale, and proof of Kansas insurance to the county treasurer within 60 days.
- 4
Pay the $10 title fee plus any sales tax and registration due - the treasurer processes all three together.
- 5
Consider adding a Transfer-on-Death beneficiary (Form TR-82, notarized) while you're titling, if you want to skip probate later.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Kansas vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Kansas title transfer FAQ
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Kansas?
Just $10 for the title itself. Budget for the full transaction, though - sales tax at your local combined rate and registration fees are usually paid at the same counter visit, so the $10 rarely stands alone.
What happens if I transfer the title after 60 days?
A $1 penalty applies for every month or part of a month you're late - modest compared to many states. The bigger cost is that sales tax and any property tax owed on the vehicle keep accruing regardless, and the county won't issue plates until everything is paid.
What is a Transfer-on-Death title and how do I set one up?
It's a beneficiary designation directly on your Kansas title: file a notarized Affidavit for Transfer on Death (Form TR-82) with your county treasurer for $10, and on your death the named beneficiary retitles the vehicle in their name with a death certificate - no probate required. You can revoke or change the beneficiary any time while you're alive.
Can I drive the car while the title transfer is pending?
Yes, with a 60-day temporary permit ($8 permit fee plus the $5 county fee) issued at the treasurer's office once you have the assigned title and a bill of sale - useful if you need to drive before the full title and registration process is complete.
Do I need a title transfer for an inherited vehicle without a TOD?
Yes, through probate or Kansas's small-estate affidavit process depending on the estate's size, then a standard $10 title transfer at the treasurer once the paperwork clears - which is exactly the hassle a TOD designation is designed to skip.
Does the seller need to do anything after handing over the keys?
Sellers should keep a signed bill of sale as proof of the sale date and notify the county so liability doesn't linger on their name if the buyer delays titling - Kansas doesn't have a separate free online release form like some states, so the bill of sale is your paper trail.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.