North Carolina

Title Fee

$66.75

Who must title a vehicle in North Carolina?

All motor vehicles, trailers, sailboats/motorized vessels ≥14 feet, personal watercraft, and vessels with a lien must be titled unless exempt.
Exempt: U.S. government vehicles, snowmobiles, ATVs, mopeds ≤50cc or <30 mph, tow dollies, converter gears, farm tractors/trailers, road construction machinery, implements of husbandry, wheelchairs, and some others.
Manufactured homes are titled unless converted to real property.

Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV).
Application: Notarized Title Application (MVR-1) at any DMV office.
Fee: $66.75 (vehicles), $25.50 (manufacturer/dealer), $36.00 (vessel title), $5.00 manufactured home title removal.

What documents are needed as proof of ownership?

New vehicles: Notarized Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin.
Used vehicles: Notarized Certificate of Title.
Non-title states: Registration card.
Government surplus: SF97-1 + affidavit of federal compliance.
Foreign vehicles: Ownership docs, EPA/DOT release (<25 years old), military registration card if applicable.
Bill of sale required from dealers for highway use/sales tax. Vessels from private party: Notarized bill of sale.

How are special titles or brands handled?

Bonded Title: If proof of ownership is unavailable, file bond (1.5x value), Affidavit of Facts, Inspector’s Report; bond held 3 years.
Unregisterable Certificate: For insurer when out-of-state vehicle is a total loss and owner fails to deliver title; orange, not eligible for highway use.
Inoperable Title: For substantially disassembled/unfit vehicles; not eligible for registration until inspected.
Brands: Inoperable, Motor Change, Non-USA, Reconstructed, Salvage Rebuilt, Specially Constructed, Total Loss Claim, Water/Flood Damage, and odometer brands (ONC, NAM, EML). Out-of-state brands carried forward.
Salvage: Required if repair cost >75% of value; insurer must surrender title within 10 days of claim payment.
Salvage Rebuilt: Vehicles ≤6 years old must have preliminary/final inspection, permanent marker, and “Total Loss Claim” noted; various forms required.
Junk: Title surrendered, marked “Junked,” all liens released, plates surrendered; not eligible for titling/registration.

How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?

Duplicate: Notarized Application (MVR-4), $25.50 fee; $92.25 with reassignment. 15-day wait before issue; instant title for $105.75.
Vessel duplicate: VL-1, $16.00 fee.
Corrected: Notarized MVR-5 + $25.50 fee.

Other notes:

Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN/HIN inspection required for grey market, military, salvage >6 years old, or out-of-state vehicles.

Are electronic signatures accepted?

What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?

Highway Use Tax (HUT): 3.0% of purchase price (max $2,000 for commercial vehicles >26,000 lbs. and RVs; max $250 for new residents).Credit for trade-in allowed.
Exemptions: Family transfers, Will/intestacy, repossessor titles, and more.
Sales Tax:4.75% state + county (2–2.75%) on mobile homes, boats (max $1,500), aircraft (max $2,500), and special equipment; not on vehicles subject to HUT.
Credit for taxes paid to another state.
Vehicle Property Tax: Due at registration/renewal; estimator online.
- Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Proof required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.

How are liens recorded and perfected?

Noted on title application; MVR-6 for subsequent liens; $10.00 fee for temporary lien.
Perfected as of execution date if filed within 20 days; otherwise, as of filing.
ELT system required for ≥5 transactions/year.

How are liens released or assigned?

Lienholder must release and deliver title/release to next lienholder or owner within 10 days of demand/30 days of satisfaction.
Release on title, Affidavit by Lienholder (MVR-46D), or separate release; electronic release required for ELT liens.

How does repossession work in NC?

Secured party may repossess if peaceful; Certification of Repossession (MVR-3) required.
Repossessor may title in their name or assign to new purchaser; $25.50 fee.
First lienholder need not release lien if repossessing; second lienholder must get release from first.

Other notes:

Mechanic’s lien: 10 days unclaimed, report (LT-260), notice of sale (LT-262), $16.75 fee, public notice, sale, and record of sale (LT-265).

Enforcement Agency:

North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles3101 Mail Service Center, Rocky Mount, NC 27804
919.715.7000
NC DMV

Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:

Key Regulations:

Insurance required: $30,000/$60,000/$25,000 minimum (increases to $50,000/$100,000/$50,000 in 2025).
Proof required at titling/registration and must be carried; plates surrendered before canceling insurance.
Annual safety inspection required; emissions in many counties.
One plate issued; transferable to new owner within 20 days.
- Title records kept 20 years; registration records 3 years.