Car Title Problems

How Do I Ask for an Order to Transfer a Car Title?

In Minnesota, vehicle titles and registrations are managed by the Driver & Vehicle Services Division (DVS) at the MN Department of Public Safety. Dealing with titles can be confusing, but there is useful information about Vehicle Title Transfers on the DVS website.

If you buy a vehicle in Minnesota and the seller has not given you the title or other documents of ownership as part of the sale, you must first try to correct the title problem by following the options listed in the DVS "No Proof of Ownership" procedures BEFORE you can ask for a court order to transfer a title. (TIP: Be sure to click on the "Policies & Procedures" link on the DVS webpage.) If the options do not apply to your situation (e.g., DVS does have an ownership record for the vehicle or the buyer is aware that the title was issued in another state) or the vehicle does not qualify for the "Defective Title Bond" option, then you may file a motion in a district court asking for an Order to Transfer Title.

If you sold a vehicle in Minnesota but never completed the title transfer, you could consider asking the court for an order forcing the title of the vehicle to be transferred from your name to the buyer’s name. See the Volunteer Lawyers Network website for more information about this process.

How Do I File a "Motion" with the Court?

A "Motion" is the court process to ask a judge to issue an order. The county where you live determines the district court where you file your motion. To make a motion to the court, you need to complete and file certain legal documents, usually called:

• Notice of Motion and Motion;
• Affidavit in Support of Motion; and
• Affidavit of Service.

Usually, there is also a hearing where you tell the judge your request. After you have followed all of the steps for making a motion, the court will issue an order with its decision about the title.