How to Transfer a Car Title After Divorce in Minnesota

Your divorce decree says you get the car, but the title still shows both names. Until you transfer it at DVS, you can't sell, trade in, or even register the vehicle without your ex-spouse's involvement. And Minnesota gives you exactly 10 business days to get it done.

The 10-Day Transfer Rule

Under Minnesota law, a title transfer must be completed within 10 business days of the transfer of interest. For divorce, track the transfer of interest specified by the Judgment and Decree. Miss this window and you'll face a late-transfer penalty on top of the standard fees.

What You Need at the DVS Office

Bring all of these to a DVS deputy registrar office:

• The current Minnesota title — both parties must sign the appropriate seller/buyer sections on the back. The person giving up the vehicle signs as seller; the person keeping it signs as buyer.
• A lien release — if the title shows an outstanding loan, the lender must provide a release letter or the title must show the lien as satisfied. If a joint auto loan exists, you'll need to refinance into your name alone before DVS can issue a clear title.
• Proof of insurance — a current insurance card or policy declaration page showing coverage on the vehicle in the new owner's name.
• Payment — standard fees include a $7.25 duplicate title fee, a $2.25 technology surcharge, and a $12 filing fee. Sales tax does not apply to divorce-related transfers.

When Your Ex Won't Sign

If the decree awards you the vehicle but your ex-spouse refuses to sign the title, you must obtain a court order directing DVS to transfer ownership. Use DVS Forms MOV102 and MOV111, serve the motion on the divested spouse and the Commissioner of Public Safety, and present the signed court order to the DVS office to complete the transfer.

Joint Auto Loans: The Title Isn't the Whole Story

Transferring the title only changes who legally owns the car. It does not remove your ex-spouse from the loan. If the auto loan is jointly held, both of you remain liable to the lender until the loan is paid off or refinanced. If you can't qualify for refinancing on your own, consider whether selling the vehicle and paying off the loan is a cleaner option.

Don't Forget Insurance

Once the title is in your name alone, update your auto insurance policy to remove your ex-spouse as a named driver. Your premiums may change — for better or worse — depending on both parties' driving histories and the policy structure. Contact your insurance company directly; they'll need the updated title information.

The Full Vehicle Checklist

Title transfer is one piece of a larger post-divorce sequence — and the order matters. The Minnesota After-Divorce Checklist covers every step from certified decree copies through DVS, real estate, retirement accounts, and beneficiary updates, all in the right sequence.

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