Official fees
Minnesota title transfer fee chart
Title fee
$8.25
Transfer tax
$10.00
flat, separate from MVST
Public Safety Vehicle fee
$3.50
Technology surcharge
$2.25
Filing fee
$12.00
title transactions
Lien recording fee
$2.00
per lien
Late title transfer fee
$2.00
past 10 business days
Motor vehicle sales tax
6.875%
due at the same transaction
Figures verified July 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local deputy registrar office (MN Driver and Vehicle Services) - counties can add small local fees.
Official Minnesota forms you'll need
- PS2000Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle
required for every title transfer - sale, gift, or inheritance
Get the current version of each form from your local deputy registrar office (MN Driver and Vehicle Services) before you file - agencies revise forms, and offices reject outdated ones.
Step by step
How to transfer a Minnesota title within the deadline
- 1
Get the title signed over by the seller the same day you take possession - the 10-business-day clock starts at the sale date.
- 2
Complete the Application to Title/Register a Vehicle (PS2000) with both parties' information.
- 3
Bring the signed title, application, proof of insurance, and ID to any deputy registrar.
- 4
Pay the title fee, transfer tax, Public Safety Vehicle fee, technology surcharge, and filing fee, plus MVST or your qualifying exemption.
- 5
If you're past 10 business days, budget the extra $2 late fee - it doesn't grow the longer you wait.
- Title fee
- $8.25
- Transfer tax
- $10 flat
- Total DVS paperwork
- ≈$33.50
- Deadline
- 10 business days
- Late fee
- $2 flat
Overview
Minnesota gives buyers 10 business days from the sale date to get the transfer filed with a deputy registrar - noticeably tighter than the 30-calendar-day windows common in other states. Miss it and DVS adds a flat $2 late fee to the transaction. It's a small dollar amount, but the real risk of dragging your feet is different here: until the title is in your name, DVS records still show the seller as owner, which can mean parking tickets or toll violations chasing the wrong person.
Same state, other costs
More Minnesota vehicle costs
Common questions
Minnesota title transfer FAQ
- How much does it cost just to transfer a Minnesota title?
- About $33.50 in DVS paperwork - $8.25 title fee, $10 transfer tax, $3.50 Public Safety Vehicle fee, $2.25 technology surcharge, and a $12 filing fee - before the 6.875% sales tax (or your qualifying gift/in-lieu rate) on the vehicle's value.
- How many days do I have to transfer a title after buying a car?
- 10 business days from the sale date, under Minnesota Statute 168.301. That's business days, not calendar days, so a weekend sale effectively gives you a bit more breathing room than it looks.
- What happens if I'm late?
- DVS adds a flat $2 late fee to the transaction. It's a minor charge, but a title that never gets filed at all means the vehicle stays on the seller's DVS record - their name stays linked to tickets, tolls, and liability until the paperwork clears.
- Do I need the title in hand before I can drive the car?
- You need valid registration and plates, which typically get issued at the same deputy registrar visit where you file the title transfer - in practice, title and registration happen together as one trip.
- What if there's a lien from my lender?
- Add $2 per lien recorded on the title. Once the loan is paid off, the lienholder release and any duplicate title needed are separate transactions with their own small fees.
- Can I transfer a title without going to a deputy registrar in person?
- Some deputy registrars and DVS offer mail-in paperwork for specific transaction types, but most private-party transfers still require an in-person visit with the signed title, application, insurance proof, and ID.
Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.
