Overview
Because Virginia bases SUT on the full sales price with no trade-in credit, and applies the NADA $1,500 comparison rule on private sales, the tax portion of a 'title transfer' can dwarf the $15 fee many times over. The calculator below totals both pieces, on time or late.
01 - Official fees
Virginia title transfer fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title fee (original, replacement, or transfer) | $15.00 | |
| Late titling fee | $15.00 | after 30 days from the sale |
| Motor Vehicle Sales & Use Tax | 4.15% | $75 minimum, due at the same transaction |
| Registration (if lapsed or new) | $30.75–$35.75/yr |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Virginia DMV (your county or city Commissioner of the Revenue collects the annual car tax) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to transfer a title in Virginia
- 1
Get the seller's title signed over to you, with the odometer disclosure completed.
- 2
Complete Form VSA 17A (Application for Certificate of Title and Registration).
- 3
Submit the title, VSA 17A, proof of insurance, and payment at any DMV Customer Service Center, DMV Select agent, or online within 30 days.
- 4
Pay the $15 title fee plus SUT (and registration, if you need plates).
- 5
Keep your receipt - the new title mails within a few weeks.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Virginia vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Virginia title transfer FAQ
How much does a Virginia title transfer cost?
$15 flat for the title itself. The real number people ask about is usually the SUT that comes with it - 4.15% of the full sales price (no trade-in credit), minimum $75 - plus registration if you're putting plates on the vehicle.
What happens if I title the car more than 30 days late?
A flat $15 late fee is added to the $15 title fee, so titling costs $30 total instead of $15. There's no separate penalty ladder like some states use - it's a single flat add-on regardless of how many months late you are.
Can I transfer a Virginia title online?
Yes for many straightforward transfers - dmv.virginia.gov handles title and registration applications online if you have a clean, signed-over title and no lienholder complications. Complex situations (liens, out-of-state titles, salvage) may require an in-person DMV visit.
Do I need a notarized bill of sale to transfer a title?
Virginia doesn't require notarization on a standard bill of sale between private parties, but the signed title itself (with the assignment section completed) is mandatory, and the DMV may ask for a bill of sale to verify the sale price for SUT purposes, especially if it's below NADA value.
Does a family gift transfer skip the $15 title fee too?
No - the title fee is charged on every titling regardless of how the vehicle changed hands. Only the SUT itself is waived for qualifying spouse/child/parent gifts (Form SUT-3); the $15 title fee is still due.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.