Overview
That's a real consequence, just not one you can budget for the way you'd budget a $25-a-month late fee - so the practical move is to just get to the branch office within the 30 days. Bring the signed title, Form SFN 2872, and be ready to pay the $5 title fee and 5% excise tax together. The calculator below shows both line items for your purchase price.
01 - Official fees
North Dakota title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of title | $5.00 | |
| Abandoned motor vehicle disposal fee | $1.50 | initial ND title on new/out-of-state vehicles only |
| Motor vehicle excise tax | 5% | of price minus trade-in |
| Late-transfer consequence | No fixed fee | registration may be suspended/revoked; class B misdemeanor |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county's NDDOT motor vehicle branch office - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in North Dakota
- 1
Seller signs the title's assignment section over to the buyer; both names should match ID exactly.
- 2
Complete Form SFN 2872 (Application for Certificate of Title & Registration).
- 3
Take the signed title, SFN 2872, proof of insurance, and ID to your county's NDDOT motor vehicle branch within 30 days.
- 4
Pay the $5 title fee and 5% excise tax (plus registration if it's also due) in one transaction.
- 5
Keep your receipt - it's your proof of a timely transfer if anything about the paperwork is later questioned.
03 - Same state, other costs
More North Dakota vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
North Dakota title transfer FAQ
How much does it cost to transfer a car title in North Dakota?
$5 for the title itself, plus 5% excise tax on the sale price (minus trade-in on dealer deals). If it's the vehicle's first North Dakota title - new or from out of state - add the small $1.50 abandoned motor vehicle disposal fee.
What actually happens if I transfer the title late?
North Dakota doesn't charge a growing dollar penalty like some states. Instead, NDDOT can suspend or revoke the vehicle's registration until the transfer is completed, and the statute makes a violation a class B misdemeanor - up to 30 days in jail or a $1,500 fine, though in practice most late transfers are resolved by simply completing the paperwork.
Can I transfer a North Dakota title online?
No - title transfers require the physical signed title and Form SFN 2872 at a county NDDOT motor vehicle branch office. Registration renewals can be done online, but a new-owner title transfer cannot.
Does the $1.50 abandoned vehicle fee apply to every transfer?
No - it only applies to the initial North Dakota title issued for a new vehicle or one just brought in from another state. A routine transfer between two North Dakota-titled owners doesn't trigger it.
What protects a seller once the car has changed hands?
North Dakota doesn't have a separate free seller-notification form like some states. The strongest protection is simply keeping a signed bill of sale (Form SFN 62502, Private Party Vehicle Bill of Sale) noting the date, odometer, and buyer's information.
How do inherited vehicles get titled?
Inherited vehicles are exempt from the 5% excise tax and use estate-specific paperwork depending on whether there's a will or the transfer qualifies for a simplified small-estate process - your county branch office can direct you to the right affidavit.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.