Overview
The clock starts on the sale date printed on your bill of sale or the title's assignment, not the day you get around to it. Use the calculator below to see exactly where you land if the transfer is already overdue.
01 - Official fees
Missouri title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title fee | $8.50 | |
| Title processing fee | $6.00 | |
| Late penalty, 1–30 days overdue | $25.00 | |
| Late penalty, 31–60 days overdue | $50.00 | |
| Late penalty, 61–90 days overdue | $75.00 | |
| Late penalty, maxed out | $200.00 | reached at roughly 7+ months overdue |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your local license office (a contracted agent, not a DOR branch) for titling and registration; your county collector for personal property tax - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a Missouri title
- 1
Seller signs the title's assignment section with the sale date and odometer reading; buyer countersigns.
- 2
For most private sales, the seller provides a safety inspection certificate less than 60 days old (unless the vehicle is age/mileage exempt).
- 3
Complete Form 108 (Application for Missouri Title and License).
- 4
Bring the title, Form 108, proof of insurance, and ID to any license office within 30 days of the sale date.
- 5
Pay the $14.50 title cost, sales tax for your home address, and registration in one visit - and any late penalty if you're past day 30.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Missouri vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Missouri title transfer FAQ
How much does a Missouri title cost?
$8.50 for the title itself plus a $6 processing fee - $14.50 total. That's separate from sales tax and registration, which are usually paid in the same license-office visit.
What exactly happens if I'm late transferring a title?
A flat $25 penalty applies on day 31 after the purchase, and another $25 stacks on for each additional 30-day period you're late, up to a $200 cap. Being three months overdue currently costs $75 in penalties on top of the normal title and tax bill.
Does the penalty apply even if I already paid sales tax somewhere else?
Yes - the $25-per-30-days penalty is specifically for the late title application (RSMo 301), independent of tax owed. Even a $0-tax transaction (a documented gift, for example) can still rack up the title penalty if it's filed late.
Can I transfer a Missouri title online?
No - new title applications go through a physical license office visit with the signed title, Form 108, insurance, and ID. Missouri's contracted license offices (not DOR branches) handle the walk-in transaction.
Do I need a safety inspection to transfer the title?
For most change-of-ownership sales, yes - a safety inspection certificate less than 60 days old, unless the vehicle is 10 years old or newer with under 150,000 miles, which is exempt. Dealer sales and some family transfers have different documentation rules.
What if the seller never gave me a signed title?
You can't complete the transfer without it - request a corrected or duplicate title from the seller, or if that's not possible, consult your license office about a bonded title process, which is slower and costs more than a standard $14.50 transfer.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.