Mississippi
Title Fee
$9.00
Sales Tax Rate
5.0%
Other Tax Rate
6.00%
Who must title a vehicle in Mississippi?
All motor vehicles, motorcycles, mopeds, trailers, semitrailers, and manufactured homes must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: Vehicles manufactured/assembled before 7/1/1969, utility trailers <5,000 lbs. GVW, vessels, vessel motors, ATVs/UTVs (owner’s option), federal government vehicles, motorcycles <50cc, implements of husbandry, pole trailers, vehicles >8 ft. wide or >13’6” high (except mobile homes), pre-2000 manufactured homes not sold by dealer, manufactured homes as real property, animal-powered vehicles, special mobile equipment.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR), Motor Vehicle Services.
Application: To a Designated Agent (licensed dealer, county tax collector, lending agent).
Fee: $9.00 + $1.00 Designated Agent fee; Fast Track: +$30.00 (72-hour processing).
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title (+ bill of sale if price not on title).
Non-title states: For pre-1970 vehicles, current + previous bill of sale or two tag/tax receipts.
Out-of-state: Last registration + bill of sale.
Government surplus: Bill of sale if not previously titled.
Foreign vehicles: Foreign docs, CBP 7501, EPA 3520-8, NHTSA HS-7, Canadian/European conformity docs, certified translation if needed.
How are special titles or brands handled?
Bonded Title: Required if DOR not satisfied with ownership; bond = 1.5x value, valid 3 years.
Distinctive Title: For vehicles from states/countries not naming lienholders; legend “may be subject to an undisclosed lien.”
Brands: Bond, Damage History, Fire, Flood, Hail, Rebuilt, Recovered Theft, Salvage, Unrecovered Theft, and others. Out-of-state brands carried forward.
Salvage: Required for insurance total loss (collision, fire, flood, hail, theft, etc.). Insurer must surrender title within 72 hours.
Rebuilt: Vehicle reconstructed in MS with major/minor parts replaced; requires inspection, bills of sale, photos, $75.00 inspection fee, and title application.
Junk: Surrender title immediately after scrapping/dismantling; junk certificate issued.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Replacement: Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (78-006), $9.00 + $1.00 agent fee; Fast Track: +$30.00.
Vessels: $13.49 for duplicate.
Corrected: $9.00 + $1.00 agent fee; Affidavit of Correction (78-008) for errors.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN/HIN inspection required if ownership is questioned.
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Yes, on e-signature pads in DOR offices and for insurance company total loss submissions.
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Sales/Use Tax:5.0% for most vehicles ≤10,000 lbs.
7.0% for boats, motorcycles, mopeds, ATVs, golf carts, trailers.
3.0% for carriers/trucks >10,000 lbs., aircraft, semitrailers, manufactured homes.
1.5% for farm tractors/logging/farm implements.
Trade-in credit allowed; credit for taxes paid to out-of-state authorized dealer.
Exemptions: Vehicles titled/registered in owner’s name in another state, family transfers, gifts, 10+ year-old vehicles, certain business/corporate transfers, etc.
Other taxes/fees:
Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Tax: Paid at registration; 30% of MSRP x millage rate, with depreciation.
Manufactured Home Ad Valorem Tax: Paid within 90 days of registration, prorated; annual thereafter.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Proof required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
Enter lienholder info on title application; out-of-state lienholders can add lien via form 78-005.
To add a second lien, primary lienholder submits app to DOR within 3 business days.
Only two lienholders per title.
Liens perfected as of security agreement signature and application presented to agent.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lienholder must release lien in title’s “Lien Satisfaction” section within 10 days of demand, 30 days of satisfaction, and deliver to next lienholder/owner.
Release to DOR within 5 days for vessels.
Electronic lien satisfactions must be transmitted within 14 days (for lienholders with EIN).
Assignment: Assignee receives Assignment of Lien (78-007); new title app submitted.
How does repossession work in Mississippi?
Lienholder may repossess if peaceful; submit Affidavit of Sale Under Lien (78-010) or Affidavit for Repossessed Motor Vehicle (78-012) with title.
If for resale, no new title needed; upon transfer, repossessor executes “Assignment of Title by Registered Owner” and provides to purchaser.
Out-of-state repossessions must follow state-of-title laws.
Other notes:
Repair/towing/storage liens: Vehicle may be sold for costs; see abandoned vehicle rules for process.
Department of Revenue
500 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, MS 39056
PO Box 1033, Jackson, MS 39215
601.923.7200
Enforcement Agency:
Mississippi Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Services500 Clinton Center Dr, Clinton, MS 39056
PO Box 1033, Jackson, MS 39215
601.923.7200
MS DOR Motor Vehicle Services
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
Highway Safety Patrol: PO Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205, 601.987.1212
Key Regulations:
Insurance required: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 minimum.
Proof of insurance must be carried.
No safety/emissions inspection (spot checks only).
One plate issued; must be surrendered if vehicle/owner changes.
Title records retained 15 years.