Divorce - Changing Vehicle Titles

With joint ownership, titles have to be transferred to one or the other person in the event of divorce.  The transfer is essentially a sale followed by a purchase.  If the owner is “Husband OR Wife” then you can sign the sale form yourself.  If the owner on the title is listed as “Husband AND Wife” then you will both need to sign the Sale portion of the forms.  

You may need to have an emissions test done, and will have to provide an odometer reading.  You cannot accomplish the transfer of ownership through the mail; you must physically take it to your Department of Motor Vehicles office.   (However, if you have a court order changing ownership to one or the other spouse, you will be able to bring the order in without the ex-spouse having to sign anything.  Make sure the Vehicle ID Number (VIN) is on the court order.)  

Consult your state’s DMV web site for the forms, fees, and locations.