West Virginia title and registration, step by step

Which forms, which fees and which deadlines. For a car bought in the state and for one you bring from another.

In West Virginia the title is issued by West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (WV DMV). The law allows titles and liens in electronic or paper format. Since July 1, 2025, lenders with 5 or more liens a year must use the DMV's electronic system. Between private parties, the seller signs the paper title and hands it to the buyer.

Where it happens. At a WV DMV regional office, by mail, or through an authorized private license service. If you buy from a West Virginia dealer, the dealer files the title and pays the taxes for you. Confirm the deadline and the event that starts it for your transaction: a purchase, receipt of the signed title or a move into the state can have different rules.

Case 1: you bought a car in West Virginia (private seller)

What the seller hands you

• The title with the transfer section completed: your name and address, sale price, date, odometer reading and the seller's signature (both owners if two names are joined by "and").
• If there was a loan: a lien release from the bank, or the lien already removed from the title.
• A bill of sale with VIN, price and signatures. You need it for the sales tax.

What you bring to the office

• The state forms (below), completed.
• The signed title and the bill of sale.
• Applicable insurance or financial-responsibility documents: 25/50/25 liability ($25,000 per person, $50,000 per accident, $25,000 property damage). The policy must also include uninsured motorist coverage at those same minimums. Insurance must be in effect when you apply for the title.
• Valid photo ID.
• Payment: title, registration, plate and sales tax if not paid yet.

Case 2: you bring a car from another state

• Everything above, plus: The reviewed WV DMV materials do not establish a blanket physical-VIN-inspection exemption for a vehicle titled elsewhere. Confirm whether DMV-1B or other inspection/evidence applies to your vehicle; an out-of-state title alone does not settle that question. You do need a West Virginia safety inspection within 10 days after titling the car.
• The original out-of-state title (or the bank's letter if it holds it for the loan).
• Tax: For ordinary non-branded transactions: 6% of the net price, collected by the DMV at titling (if the price is under $500, you pay a flat $30.00). There is no extra local tax on vehicles. On a trade-in only the difference is taxed, if the traded car is titled in West Virginia in your name. Manufacturer rebates are taxed. In a private sale, if the price is under 50% of NADA Clean Loan Book value, you need a notarized bill of sale (with a copy of the buyer's and the seller's licenses) or you pay on that book value; a car 2 years old or newer bought from a private party is taxed on book value. West Virginia gives no credit for tax paid to another state. This ordinary calculation does not establish the tax for salvage, reconstructed, cosmetic-total-loss, flood, fire or other branded retitling. Section 17A-4-10 has special valuation rules and rate wording not reconciled here with current general DMV guidance. Confirm the branded transaction’s taxable basis and rate with DMV before calculating payment.

Forms

• DMV-1-TR — Application for Certificate of Title
• DMV-7-TR — Bill of Sale
• DMV-TM-1 — Odometer Disclosure Statement
• DMV-5-TR — Affidavit of Transfer Without Consideration (gift)
• DMV-4-TR — Application for Duplicate Title
• DMV-SV-1 — Salvage Certificate Application

Fees — confirm current amounts (WV DMV)

Amounts come from the linked state sources and can change. This guide distinguishes source checkpoints from narrow claim reviews; confirm the total for your transaction before you go. A dash means an amount has not been confirmed here.

Sales tax

For ordinary non-branded transactions: 6% of the net price, collected by the DMV at titling (if the price is under $500, you pay a flat $30.00). There is no extra local tax on vehicles. On a trade-in only the difference is taxed, if the traded car is titled in West Virginia in your name. Manufacturer rebates are taxed. In a private sale, if the price is under 50% of NADA Clean Loan Book value, you need a notarized bill of sale (with a copy of the buyer's and the seller's licenses) or you pay on that book value; a car 2 years old or newer bought from a private party is taxed on book value. West Virginia gives no credit for tax paid to another state. This ordinary calculation does not establish the tax for salvage, reconstructed, cosmetic-total-loss, flood, fire or other branded retitling. Section 17A-4-10 has special valuation rules and rate wording not reconciled here with current general DMV guidance. Confirm the branded transaction’s taxable basis and rate with DMV before calculating payment.

If you sell: protect yourself

Listed seller-notice or transfer document: DMV-1-S. Check its conditions and the state process below. The plate belongs to the owner: the seller keeps it and must notify the DMV of the sale "immediately" (§ 17A-4-1), using form DMV-1-S (Sold Vehicle or Watercraft Notice). The seller can move it to another of their cars by applying within 60 days. Sellers, watch out: if you keep the plate you must keep insurance on it or return it to the DMV; if you cancel the insurance and keep the plate, the DMV suspends the registration and your license, and turning them back on costs $100 and $50. The seller also has 60 days to hand the signed title to the buyer (§ 17A-4-2). The buyer gets no plate: they must register the car in their name before driving it on public roads, or tow it. Keep copies of the title, filed notices and handover date to answer later registration, toll or ownership questions.

Mistakes that cost

• Missing the deadline. Check the deadline and consequence for your transaction; filing periods and penalties do not all start from the same event.
• Title with cross-outs or correction fluid. Ask the issuing agency which correction or replacement document it accepts before using it.
• Buying with an "open" title (signed by a previous owner, not the person selling to you). Confirm the ownership chain and the documents the agency requires before paying.
• Showing up without in-state insurance. Confirm the insurance or financial-responsibility documents required for your situation.