Overview
New residents get their own trap: if you move to Mississippi with a valid out-of-state plate, you have 30 days to register here, and missing it adds a flat $250 penalty on top of the standard late-fee ladder - plus you lose the Legislative Tag Credit if your old plate had already expired or the vehicle was never registered in your previous state. The calculator below totals the title fee alongside these late scenarios.
01 - Official fees
Mississippi title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Motor vehicle title | $9.00 | |
| Fast Track title (72 hours) | $39.00 | $9 + $30 add-on |
| Replacement/duplicate title | $9.00 | $39 with Fast Track |
| Corrected title (buyer paperwork error) | $10.00 | |
| New-resident late penalty | $250.00 flat | on top of standard late fees |
| Standard late penalty | 5%–25% of ad valorem tax | 5% per 15/30-day period, capped at 25% |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tax collector's office (Mississippi Department of Revenue) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Mississippi
- 1
Seller signs the title's assignment section; if buyer and seller are related, complete an Affidavit of Relationship.
- 2
Seller removes and surrenders the license plate once the title is assigned and the vehicle changes hands.
- 3
Buyer takes the assigned title, a bill of sale, and proof of insurance to the county tax collector within 30 business days.
- 4
Pay the $9 (or $39 Fast Track) title fee along with the 5% sales tax, tag fee, privilege tax, and ad valorem tax due.
- 5
If you bought the vehicle outside your home county, you get 48 hours to transport it home before the 30-business-day clock effectively runs.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Mississippi vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Mississippi title transfer FAQ
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in Mississippi?
The title itself is $9, or $39 with 72-hour Fast Track processing. Budget for the full transaction, though - 5% sales tax, a $14 tag fee, $15 privilege tax, and the ad valorem tax are all due at the same county visit.
What's the real deadline to title a car I just bought in Mississippi?
30 business days from the purchase date. That's separate from the temporary drive-out tag a dealer can issue, which is only valid for 7 days and exists purely to let out-of-state buyers legally drive the car home before titling it properly.
What happens if I title my new purchase late?
The same ad valorem-based penalty ladder applies as to a late renewal: 5% of the ad valorem tax for the first 15 days overdue, then another 5% per 30-day block, capped at 25% - and hitting that cap costs you the Legislative Tag Credit.
I just moved to Mississippi - what's my deadline?
30 days from establishing residency, provided your prior state's plate is still valid. Miss it and you owe a flat $250 penalty on top of the standard late fees, and you'll lose the Legislative Tag Credit if your old plate had expired or the vehicle was never registered in your previous state.
Can I title a car online in Mississippi?
No - new title applications go through your county tax collector's office in person. Some counties support online registration renewals through the state's e-Services portal, but the initial title transfer itself isn't a self-service online process.
What if the seller never gave me a title?
You'll need a title bond - a surety bond for one and a half times the vehicle's average trade-in value, filed with a completed Affidavit of Ownership and bill of sale, to get a bonded title issued.
Does transferring a title between family members skip the ad valorem tax too?
No - the family exemption (spouse, parent-child, grandparent-grandchild, sibling) only waives the 5% sales tax. The new owner still owes the standard tag fee, privilege tax, and ad valorem tax to register the vehicle in their name.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.