New Jersey
Title Fee
$60.00
Sales Tax Rate
6.625%
Other Tax Rate
0.40%
Who must title a vehicle in New Jersey?
All motor vehicles, motorcycles, autocycles, mopeds, trailers, and boats 12 feet or longer must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: Trailers <2,500 lbs. unladen, ATVs, snowmobiles, farm tractors <1,500 lbs. unladen, many small watercraft (canoes, kayaks, etc.), USCG documented vessels, jet skis, lifeboats, construction equipment, golf carts, motorized wheelchairs.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
Application: In person at local MVC Agency; Universal Title Application (OS-SS-UTA) for most, OS/SS-14 for new vehicles.
Fee: $60.00 + $25.00 per lien; $85.00 with one lien, $110.00 with two liens.
Business owners must have a MVC Entity Identification Number (EIN).
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin + dealer’s certificate of sale (with NJ Dealer Tax Stamp or purchase order).
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title.
Non-title states: Registration certificate + notarized bill of sale.
Government surplus: SF 97-1 (law enforcement only).
Foreign vehicles: Central Office in Trenton; foreign docs, purchase invoice, bill of sale, shipping docs, customs, EPA, DOT compliance.
How are special titles or brands handled?
Homemade/reconstructed/kit cars/glider kits/missing VINs require Special Title Unit handling.
Brands: Actual Mileage, Flood, Lemon, Exceeds Mechanical Limits, Non-Actual Mileage, Police, Salvage, Taxi, Reconstructed, Junk (brown, “Not to Be Retitled”), and more. Out-of-state brands are carried forward if NJ recognizes the brand.
Salvage: Required for total loss/uneconomical repair; title assigned to insurer + Insurance Listing Sheet (BA-28), Application for Salvage Certificate (OS/SS-61), sales tax satisfied stamp.
Rebuilt: Salvage must be repaired, inspected ($200 fee), with before/after photos, bills of sale, work order, and insurer damage report; eligible for standard title if 8+ years old.
Junk: Submit title + Application for Junk Certificate (OS/SS-61A), $2.00 fee; plates/registration surrendered.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Duplicate: Universal Title Application (OS-SS-UTA), proof of ownership, $60.00 fee.
Remove lien: Original title signed/dated by lienholder + lien satisfaction letter or wire transfer statement.
Corrected: OS-SS-UTA, proof of correction, title, and fee; no fee if MVC error.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN/HIN inspection required for out-of-state vehicles, non-titled states, or missing VINs.
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Yes, for POA (insurance total loss/dealers), some forms; must include Certificate of Completion for each digital signature.
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Sales/Use Tax: 6.625% on full purchase price (credit for trade-in).Dealer collects for NJ residents; out-of-state dealer sales require tax at titling.
Credit for taxes paid to another state (submit Use Tax Return ST-18).
Exemptions: Nonresidents (ST-10/ST-10V), new residents (prior out-of-state registration), gifts, family transfers, exempt organizations, certain commercial/farm vehicles, used mobile homes, and more.
Luxury/Fuel Inefficient Surcharge: 0.4% on new/light trucks/SUVs/vans ≥$45,000 or EPA <19 MPG.
Other taxes/fees:
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
No personal property tax.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
Enter lienholder EIN on title application; fee $85.00 (1 lien), $110.00 (2 liens).
Perfected on entry into system; new title issued to lienholder.
How are liens released or assigned?
Title signed by lienholder’s authorized rep or submit signed lien satisfaction letter, dealer wire transfer, or installment agreement.
Notarization required for non-financial institution lienholders.
Must release within 15 days to avoid fines.
How does repossession work in NJ?
Lienholder may repossess if peaceful; must file Notice of Seizure (OS/SS-55) immediately, send Notice of Sale to debtor (10–14 days to redeem).
Application for Repossession Certificate (OS/SS-57), security agreement, notice of sale, title, bill of sale, and fee must be submitted within 10 days to avoid $25 penalty.
Out-of-state repossessors must process in home state.
Other notes:
MVC is implementing an ELT (Electronic Lien & Title) system.
225 East State Street, Trenton, NJ 08608
PO Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08666-0403
609.292.6500
Enforcement Agency:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission225 East State St, Trenton, NJ 08608
PO Box 403, Trenton, NJ 08666-0403
609.292.6500
NJ MVC
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
New Jersey State Police, PO Box 7068, West Trenton, NJ 08628
Key Regulations:
Insurance required: $25,000/$50,000/$25,000 (increases to $35,000/$70,000/$25,000 in 2026); higher for TNCs, limos, trucks.
Proof of insurance required at registration and must be carried.
Biennial safety/emissions inspection for most vehicles; annual for commercial, some diesel, and others.
Two plates for most vehicles; one for motorcycles, mopeds, trailers. Plates must be surrendered if not transferred.
Title records kept indefinitely (post-1985); registration records kept 3 years.