How to Transfer Car Title After Divorce in New Jersey

What the MVC Needs From You

Transferring a vehicle title after divorce in New Jersey is handled in person at an MVC agency. You'll need three documents:

• The original vehicle title, signed by the departing spouse on the seller/transferor line
• A certified copy of the Final Judgment of Divorce
• Completed Form BA-49 (Universal Title Application)

The title transfer fee is $60, plus standard registration fees if the registration is also being updated. If you're also changing your name on the title, bring your name-change documentation — ideally after you've already updated your Social Security card and driver's license, since the MVC verifies against those records.

If There's a Lien on the Vehicle

When an auto loan exists, the lender holds the title. The retaining spouse needs to refinance the vehicle loan into their name alone before a clean title transfer can happen. This follows the same logic as removing a spouse from a mortgage — the PSA assigns the vehicle to one party, but the lender isn't bound by the PSA and will continue holding both parties liable until the loan is refinanced or paid off.

Contact your auto lender first to understand their refinance requirements. Once the new loan closes and the old joint loan is paid off, the lender releases the lien and you can proceed with the MVC title transfer.

If You Don't Have the Original Title

If the original title is lost, you'll need to apply for a duplicate title before the transfer. The departing spouse (or both spouses if both are listed as owners) must apply for the duplicate. The MVC charges a $60 fee for a duplicate title. Once issued, proceed with the standard transfer process.

Update Your Insurance Immediately

Don't wait until after the title transfer to update your auto insurance. Contact your insurance provider as soon as the divorce is finalized to:

• Remove your ex-spouse from the policy (or create a separate policy)
• Update the named insured to match the new title holder
• Adjust coverage levels if needed

Driving with a policy that lists an incorrect owner or named insured can create coverage gaps in an accident. Most insurers need a copy of the divorce decree to process the change.

One Piece of a Larger Puzzle

Vehicle transfers are one of the simpler post-divorce tasks, but they sit alongside more complex items like splitting joint accounts and dividing retirement benefits. The New Jersey After-Divorce Checklist keeps everything organized in the right sequence.

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