How To Get a Car Title in North Dakota 2026
North Dakota statute (NDCC § 39-05-02.1) establishes that every owner of a vehicle present in the state and lacking a certificate of title must submit an application to the North Dakota Department of Transportation. The Motor Vehicle Division within the Department of Transportation processes title applications and maintains ownership records for passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, trailers, and other motor vehicles operated within state borders.
Where to Apply for a North Dakota Certificate of Title
North Dakota processes vehicle title applications through designated service locations operated by the Department of Transportation:
- Motor Vehicle Branch Offices – Regional facilities located throughout North Dakota providing comprehensive title and registration services
- Department of Transportation Central Office – Administrative headquarters in Bismarck accepting title applications and correspondence
- Appointment-Based Processing – Scheduled service at branch locations accessed through the statewide reservation system
- Mail Submission – Applications forwarded to the Motor Vehicle Division for remote processing
Required Documents for Title Application in North Dakota
North Dakota administrative code prescribes documentary requirements for certificate of title issuance, with specifications varying according to vehicle origin and transfer circumstances.
Primary Documentation
| Document Type | Requirement | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Properly Endorsed Certificate of Title | Previous ownership document bearing signatures and assignment information from all registered owners | Out-of-state titles accepted when properly assigned; North Dakota titles require additional notarization |
| Application for Certificate of Title (Form SFN 2872) | Completed form containing vehicle description, applicant information, and purchaser certification | Must include vehicle identification number, make, model, year, and odometer reading for vehicles 2011 or newer |
| Valid Driver License or Identification | Current North Dakota driver license or state-issued identification | Co-applicants must provide license numbers; business applicants submit Federal Employer Identification Number |
| Proof of Ownership | Certificate of origin for new vehicles; assigned title for used vehicles | New vehicles from dealers require manufacturer's certificate of origin |
Additional Documentation Requirements
Supplementary materials required under specific circumstances:
| Document Type | Purpose | Application Circumstances |
|---|---|---|
| Release of Lien Form (SFN 2876) | Demonstrate discharge of security interest | Required when previous title shows lienholder notation; must identify vehicle by VIN and include creditor details |
| Odometer Disclosure | Record mileage at ownership transfer | Mandatory for all vehicles model year 2011 or newer; exemption applies to vehicles exceeding 16,000 pounds gross weight |
| Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement | Declare body damage or salvage history | Required for passenger vehicles, trucks, motorcycles, and motor homes less than nine years old |
| Bill of Sale or Affidavit | Document purchase transaction | Necessary for vehicles more than forty years old or when the assigned title is unavailable |
| Power of Attorney | Authorize representative to execute documents | Required when designated individual acts on behalf of owner; must be properly notarized |
North Dakota Title Fees and Costs
The Department of Transportation assesses statutory fees for title services pursuant to NDCC Chapter 39-05, with rates established through legislative appropriation.
Standard Title Fees
| Service Category | Fee Amount |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | $5.00 |
| Title Transfer | $5.00 |
| Duplicate Certificate | $5.00 |
| Lien Release Processing | $5.00 |
| Lien Recording | $5.00 |
Additional Processing Fees
Supplementary charges assessed based on vehicle characteristics and transaction type:
| Fee Category | Amount | Application |
|---|---|---|
| Motor Vehicle Excise Tax | 5% of purchase price or fair market value | Assessed on all vehicle purchases unless statutory exemption applies; certain transfers between family members exempt |
| Abandoned Vehicle Disposal Fee | $1.50 | Due upon initial North Dakota title application for new and out-of-state passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, and motor homes |
| Registration Fee | $27.00 - $623.00 annually | Varies by vehicle weight classification and year first registered; passenger vehicles and trucks have different fee schedules |
| License Plate Issuance | Incorporated in registration fee | Initial plate assignment included in standard registration charges |
| Electric Vehicle Road Use Fee | $120.00 annually | Assessed on battery-electric vehicles; $50.00 for plug-in hybrid vehicles |
| Plate Transfer Fee | $5.00 | When transferring existing plates to replacement vehicle |
The motor vehicle excise tax applies at 5% of vehicle purchase price or fair market value as determined by National Automobile Dealers Association valuation guides. Exemptions apply to transfers between spouses, gifts between specified family members, disabled American veterans, and certain nonprofit organization vehicles.
Step-by-Step Title Application Process
Step 1: Assemble Ownership Documentation and Verify Transfer Requirements
Obtain the existing certificate of title or manufacturer's certificate of origin. Verify that all owners listed on the current title have executed a proper assignment and warranty of title on the document's reverse. North Dakota law requires delivery of the endorsed title to the transferee within thirty days of vehicle purchase. Collect lien release documentation if the previous title indicates a security interest, ensuring the release specifically identifies the vehicle identification number.
Step 2: Complete Required Disclosure Statements
Execute odometer disclosure for vehicles model year 2011 or newer, recording precise mileage at the time of transfer. Complete the Damage/Salvage Disclosure Statement for vehicles less than nine model years old, indicating whether the vehicle sustained body damage equal to or exceeding the greater of $10,000 or twenty-five percent of pre-damage retail value. Glass damage and hail damage are excluded from damage disclosure calculations.
Step 3: Prepare Application for Certificate of Title
Complete Form SFN 2872 with accurate vehicle information, including identification number, make, model, body style, year, and weight specifications. Enter applicant's legal names exactly as they appear on identification documents. Calculate the 5% motor vehicle excise tax based on vehicle purchase price and add the $5.00 title fee, $1.50 abandoned vehicle disposal fee (if applicable), and appropriate registration fees according to vehicle classification.
Step 4: Schedule Appointment and Submit Application
Contact the Motor Vehicle Division at 1-855-633-6835 to reserve service time at a regional branch office. Present all assembled documentation, completed application, and payment in acceptable form (check, money order, or credit card). For mail submission, forward materials to:
Motor Vehicle Division
North Dakota Department of Transportation
608 East Boulevard Avenue
Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Step 5: Receive Certificate of Title
The Department processes title applications and issues certificates in paper or electronic form, depending on lienholder participation in electronic lien notification systems. Standard processing requires approximately one to two weeks for in-person submissions; mail applications may require three to four weeks. The Department delivers the certificate to the first lienholder if a security interest exists, or to the owner if no lien is recorded. The certificate remains valid for the life of the vehicle, provided ownership remains unchanged.
Exemptions from Title Requirements
North Dakota statute (NDCC § 39-05-02.2) exempts specified vehicle categories from certificate of title requirements:
- Vehicles owned by the United States government, unless registered in North Dakota
- Vehicles owned by manufacturers or dealers held for sale, even when incidentally moved for testing or demonstration purposes
- Vehicles owned by nonresidents of North Dakota and not required by law to be registered within the state
- Vehicles regularly engaged in interstate transportation registered under the International Registration Plan with current titles issued in reciprocal states
- Vehicles moved solely by human or animal power
- Implements of husbandry utilized exclusively for agricultural operations
- Special mobile equipment, including construction machinery and industrial apparatus
- Self-propelled wheelchairs and tricycles for mobility-impaired individuals
- Vehicles driven upon highways solely for the purpose of crossing from one property to another at approximately ninety-degree angles
- Electric bicycles meeting the statutory definition
Contact Information
North Dakota Department of Transportation - Motor Vehicle Division
608 East Boulevard Avenue, Bismarck, ND 58505-0780
Phone: (701) 328-2725
Official Website: North Dakota Department of Transportation
