The Travis County
Tax Office created this web site to provide our citizens with pertinent
information regarding property taxes, voter registration, vehicle registration and vehicle titling.
In an effort to be thorough, we are also including the following list of
frequently asked questions.
If, after reading through the information here, you did not find what you need,
please contact the Travis County Tax Office.
We will be happy to help you.
See this
page of our web site for all of our 5 locations including maps, driving directions, office hours and other ways you can contact our office.
Are all services available at all tax office locations?
No, all services are available at the main office
located at 5501 Airport Boulevard. The satellite offices accept property
tax and court payments, renew vehicle registratioin, transfer vehicle
titles, assist new residents with getting Texas registration, and register
voters. They do not negotiate payment agreements, provide tax certificates,
accept bidder statements or issue voter certificates. If in doubt, contact
the tax office by telephone at (512) 854-9473 or by email tax_office@co.travis.tx.us
to inquire about a specific service.
Who do I make checks payable to?
For calendar year 2012, all payments to the Tax Office should be made payable to Tina Morton, Travis County Tax Assessor/Collector or, for brevity, Tina Morton is also acceptable.
The Tax Office has set up four PO Box addresses for the various types of mail we process on a daily basis. You will find a complete list of all of these address options by clicking on this link to our Contact Us page. All overnight deliveries or mail that must be signed for should be sent to our main office location at 5501 Airport Blvd. / Austin, TX 78751.
Is my personal information, including credit card
number kept on file? How is my data protected?
All personal and credit card information processed
through Government Payments is encrypted to maintain confidentiality
of customer information. To further protect your data, Travis County
does not receive any credit card information as a result of your
transaction.
Why is there a fee for paying
online?
Is there a charge for paying with a credit card or electronic check?
Online payments were requested several years ago by
the citizens and taxpayers of Travis County. To fulfill this request,
a third party, Easy Access Inc, was contracted. The
convenience fee of 3% of the payment is collected from those who opt
to utilize this service. If you use a credit card online the charge
on your statement will be notated by the words Government Payments.
If you use an electronic check, the fee is based on the amount you are
paying (see chart below). The charge on your
bank statement will be notated by the words Government Payments.
Who should I contact if there is a problem when I
try to pay online?
You may be able to resolve the problem without additional assistance. Check this chart for technical help. If you need to speak with someone, call
(512) 854-9473 for technical assistance or send an email to tax_office@co.travis.tx.us
Is the Travis County Tax Office on Twitter or Facebook?
YES! Austin was recently named one of the "most socially networked cities" in America. Knowing that a large number of residents in Austin are using social media websites to get their news and information, our office posts announcements for upcoming public events, foreclosure sales, elections, property tax deadlines and motor vehicle registration and titling hints and tips on Twitter and Facebook regularly to keep our fans and customers updated with the latest Tax Office information. Click on the Twitter and Facebook icons at the top of any page of our website to go to our corresponding pages on those sites.
Where can I find links to other agencies I might need to know about?
Click here for helpful links to state agencies that oversee Voter Registration, Property Taxes and Motor Vehicle rules and regulations.
For a detailed description of the Texas Property Tax System, access
Property
Taxpayer Remedies, a publication provided by the State Comptroller.
How do I get a copy of my tax bill?
Access
the search page and use name, address or account number to locate
the tax record. You may use owner name, address, mailing address, the
billing number or account number. Once you locate your account, click on the account number link and access your most recent current and orginal tax bills using the labeled tabs on your account details page.
What is the cut off for making timely payments?
This chart lists all accepted methods of payment for
property taxes. These are the ONLY methods of payment and each has its
own restrictions and deadlines listed separately. Credit card payment will not be accepted by mail or drop box.
DUE DATE - MIDNIGHT, CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST) ON 1/31/12
DUE DATE - 5:30 PM CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST) ON 1/31/12
DUE DATE - U.S. POSTAL SERVICE POSTMARK (NO OTHER POSTMARKS ACCEPTED) ON OR BEFORE 1/31/12
DUE DATE - 5:30 PM CST ON 1/31/12 AT OUR AIRPORT BLVD LOCATION OR 5:00 PM AT ALL SATELLITE LOCATIONS
DUE DATE - MIDNIGHT CENTRAL STANDARD TIME (CST) ON 1/31/12 - DROP BOX IS LOCATED AT THE 5501 AIRPORT BLVD. LOCATION ONLY ****
* Credit cards include VISA, MasterCard, Discover
and American Express. A 3% convenience fee, charged by our 3rd party credit card vendor, applies.
** Electronic check
means that you complete the payment process on our web site or you contact our office by phone and we complete our website processing procedure with you. (See chart
below for electronice check fees.) If you contact your own bank to send a check
for payment or use "bill pay" service through your bank's website, there is no fee charged by our office and the check issued by your bank is received by mail
just like any other mailed payment.
**** There are two bright red drop boxes for checks or
money orders ONLY (no credit cards or cash accepted) at the main office, 5501
Airport Blvd. / Austin, TX 78751.
Is there a charge for paying with a credit card or
electronic check?
A convenience fee of 3% of any payment amount over $100 will
be charged to use credit or debit card service. Payments made by credit or debit card for any amount under $100 are subject to a flat fee of $3.00. This fee is charged by our 3rd party credit card vendor and is paid only by those who choose to use this service.
Fees for payment by electronic
check are based on the amount paid.
How do I confirm that my online payment went through? How soon is the online data
updated?
A receipt will be displayed on the screen, which you
can print. Additionally, an email confirmation will be sent to the email
address entered on the payment information screen. The online data is
updated in real-time and will be reflected on the property information
screen as soon as your transaction is complete. Your credit card statement
or bank statement will show "Government Payments" as reference
for your tax payment.
Is my personal information, including credit card
number kept on file? How is my data protected?
All personal and credit card information processed
through Government Payments is encrypted to maintain confidentiality
of customer information. To further protect your data, Travis County
does not receive any credit card information as a result of your transaction.
Why is there a fee for paying
with a credit card or electronic check?
Credit card and electronic check payment options were requested several years ago by
the citizens and taxpayers of Travis County. To fulfill this request,
a third party, Easy Access Inc, was contracted. The
vendor fees are collected only from those who opt
to utilize this service.
When will I receive a receipt for taxes paid?
As soon as your annual property taxes are paid in full, an official receipt will be
mailed within a week of the payment posting to your account. If you have not received a receipt that you are expecting, have lost a receipt that was already received or need receipts for previous tax years, please call (512) 854-9473 for assitance.
Who should I contact if there is a problem when I
try to pay online?
You may be able to resolve the problem without additional assistance. Check this chart for technical help. If you need to speak with someone, call
(512) 854-9473 for technical assistance or send an email to tax_office@co.travis.tx.us.
Who should I call if I cannot find an account that I am looking for?
We welcome you to make a partial payment at any time using any of the payment methods listed in the chart above. If you cannot make a payment at all or can only pay a portion of the total amount due, you can request a partial payment agreement by sending us a letter. Include your daytime telephone number
and property identification. See the
Contact Us page for address information to mail a letter or to send
an email message. You can also sign up for a partial payment agreement on our website. Find out more about how to apply for a payment plan online here or watch this quick October 2011 Tax Facts episode about signing up for an online payment arrangement:
It is always better to pay what you can now so that penalty and interest accrues on the least possible amount at the beginning of each new month. We are here to help. Please contact us as soon as you know you cannot make payment in full by the deadline.
What happens if I do not pay my taxes?
By law, delinquent taxes incur 7% penalty and
interest on February 1. Penalty and interest accrue monthly to a total
of 24% annually if taxes are not paid. The account may be sued, adding
hundreds of dollars to the base tax along with penalty and interest
charges.
*** Travis County Tax Office / P. O. Box 149328 /
Austin, TX 78714-9328
**** There are five office locations available for
tax payment. See
this page for locations and hours.
***** There are two bright red drop boxes for checks or
money orders ONLY (no credit cards or cash accepted) at the main office, 5501
Airport Blvd. / Austin, TX 78751.
NOTE: Credit card use requires 3% convenience fee.
Electronic check fee based on amount, maximum fee is $40. See chart above.
On the postage paid Voter Registration Application form that is used statewide, the city and zip code sections should be filled in to read: Austin and 78767-1748 accordingly.
All other applications should be mailed to
Travis County Voter Registration / PO Box 149327 / Austin, TX 78714-9327. Contact the Voter Registrar's office at (512) 854-9473 any time to order
an application through an agent. Or, you can find applications at any of 108
locations throughout Travis County.
Who is eligible to vote?
Any United States citizen may vote who is:
A resident of the county
At least 18 years of age on Election Day
Not a convicted felon (unless a person's sentence is completed,
including any probation or parole)
Not declared mentally disabled by a court of law
Registered to vote
What color are the new voter registration certificates?
New yellow certificates will be mailed to registered Travis County voters in early 2012.
How do I become a registered voter?
Download and print an application here. (Spanish). Mail it to
Travis County Voter Registration / P O Box 149327 / Austin, TX 78714-9327. Or take it in person to the Travis County Voter Registration Office
located at 5501 Airport Boulevard in Austin.
You must be at least 17 years and ten months of age on the date
your application is submitted.
Your application must be submitted at least 30 days before an election for
you to be eligible to vote in that election.
Your spouse, parent or child (acting as an agent) may complete and
sign a voter registration application for you, provided that this
person is a registered voter or has applied for voter registration.
If any of the required information on the application is incomplete,
you will be notified and required to complete and submit a second application. The
Voter Registrar must receive the second application within 10 days
in order to honor the original application's postmark date.
Once the mandatory 30 day processing time has transpired and the Secretary of State has verified and authorized your effective date of registration, your new card will be mailed out as soon as possible thereafter. If you registered to vote more than 45 days ago and have not yet received your voter registration card, please call our office at (512) 854-9473 so that we can research why the card's mailing may have been delayed.
What do I need if I am a first time voter in
Travis County?
A first-time voter must present identification when
voting for the first time. Acceptable identification includes:
A driver's license
Bank Statement
Utility Bill
Paycheck
Any other government issued document that shows your name and address
How do I find out if I am registered to vote in
Travis County?
To inquire about the status of your voter
registration in Travis County, visit the Voter
Verification section of this site. For more information or
assistance, contact the Voter Registration Office at (512) 854-9473,
or send us an email.
When will I receive a Voter Registration
Certificate?
You will receive a Voter Registration Certificate
within 30 days of submitting a completed voter registration application.
When you receive your certificate, check to make sure all information
is correct. (If there is a mistake, immediately make corrections and
return it to the registrar.) Remember to present your certificate at
the polling place when you vote. You will receive a color-coded certificate
every two years. The color of the 2010-2011 voter registration certificate
is blue.
I cannot find my Voter Registration Certificate. How
do I request a duplicate?
Request a duplicate by mail. Federal law requires
an original signature for a duplicate Voter Registration Certificate.
Access the form here.
Do I need to submit a change of address if I am moving within Travis County?
Yes. Promptly notify the Travis County Voter
Registration Office in writing of your new address by
EITHER
correcting the information on your current voter registration
certificate and returning it to the voter registrar
OR
changing your address online.
You will receive a new, corrected certificate within 30 days.
You will be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after your notice
has been received.
Meanwhile, you may vote a full ballot in your former precinct if your registration
has not become effective in the new
precinct by election day. If you are voting in a local election (such as a city or a school
district, etc.) and your new address is outside the district
of your former address, you will no longer be able to vote on
that district's ballot.
Do I need to notify the Voter Registration Office
if I changed my name?
Yes. Promptly notify the Travis County Voter
Registration Office in writing of your new name by
EITHER
correcting the information on your current voter registration
certificate and returning it to the voter registrar
OR
changing your name online.
You will receive a new, corrected certificate within 30 days.
You will be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after your notice
has been received.
Who should I notify if I have a change of address
in another county?
You must re-register! Complete an application and
mail it or take it in person to the voter registrar of your new
county. A list of voter registrars in Texas is available on the Secretary of State web site. You will be
registered 30 days after your completed application is submitted. You
will receive a new certificate in your new county. You may be eligible
to vote a limited ballot in your new county of residence after moving
if you were registered to vote in your former county at the time you
moved. (More information regarding limited and provisional ballots can be found further down on this list of questions.)
Who should I contact if I lose or misplace my
voter certificate?
Notify the Travis County Voter Registration office
in writing and they will issue you a new one. Submit a
request form for duplicate certificate, sign it and mail it to: Travis
County Voter Registration, PO Box 149327, Austin, Texas 78714-9327 or
deliver it in person to 5501 Airport Boulevard. You may vote without your certificate
by providing some form of identification. Texas State law provides that
the following forms of ID are acceptable:
a driver's license or personal identification issued to the person
by the Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to
the person by an agency of another state regardless of whether the
license or card has expired
a form of identification containing a person's photograph that establishes
a person's identify
a birth certificate or document confirming birth that is admissible
in a court of law and establishes the person's identity
a United States citizenship papers issued to the person
a United States passport issued to the person
official mail addressed to the person by name from a governmental
entity
a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check,
paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address
of the voter, or
any other form of identification prescribed by the Secretary of
State
Does my voter registration expire?
Voter registration is permanent. However, an exception
occurs when the registration is purged after a four-year period in "suspense" status. The voter registration is placed in "suspense" after two attempted mailings to a voter have been returned to the Registrar by the U.S. Postal
Service as undeliverable for any reason. To avoid being put into "suspense" and therefore to avoid having one's registration eventually purged, it is important that all registered voters promptly update their
address information any and every time they move by completing a voter application available online. We are here to help. If you are unsure of your status or have any questions about voter registration, please contact us at (512) 854-9473.
How do I sign up to become a Volunteer Deputy
Registrar in Travis County?
After you have become a registered voter, you may
wish to become a Volunteer Deputy Registrar in Travis County. Volunteer
Deputy Registrars assist the Travis County Voter Registration office
by distributing and accepting completed, signed voter applications.
Volunteer Registrars must issue a receipt of acceptance and deliver
the voter applications in person within 5 days to the Travis County
Voter Registration office located at 5501 Airport Boulevard. The date of acceptance
will be used to determine the effective date of registration. See
this page for more information.
For more information or assistance, call the Travis County
Voter Registration Office at (512) 854-9473.
You may also want to check your local newspaper
for voting locations.
I know that I'm registered to vote, but I can't
find my voter certificate/card. Will I be able to vote without it?
If you are a registered voter and you have lost or
misplaced your voter certificate, you may vote without it at the
polls. State law provides that the following forms of ID are
acceptable:
a driver's license or personal identification issued to the person
by the Department of Public Safety or a similar document issued to
the person by an agency of another state regardless of whether the
license or card has expired
a form of identification containing a person's photograph that establishes
a person's identify
a birth certificate or document confirming birth that is admissible
in a court of law and establishes the person's identity
a United States citizenship papers issued to the person
a United States passport issued to the person
official mail addressed to the person by name from a governmental
entity
a copy of a current utility bill, bank statement, government check,
paycheck or other government document that shows the name and address
of the voter, or
any other form of identification prescribed by the Secretary of
State
I am registered to vote in Travis County and I
moved within the county but have not yet changed my address. Can I
still vote?
If you are registered to vote and have moved
within Travis County, you may vote at your old precinct on election day or at any early or mobile voting location during the early voting period. You will be
required to complete a statement of residence form before voting. This
information will be forwarded to Voter Registration Office and you
will be issued a new voter certificate within 30 days.
You can also change your address online.
You will receive a new, corrected certificate within 30 days. You will
be able to vote in your new precinct 30 days after your notice has
been received.
I was registered to vote in Travis County, but
moved to a new county. May I still vote in the new county?
When you move from one county to another, you must
re-register in the new county of residence. If you have not yet done
this, you may be eligible to vote a "limited ballot" in your
new county.
What is a Limited Ballot? What is a Provisional Ballot?
Registered voters who have moved from one Texas
County to another may be eligible to vote in the new county of
residence on a "limited ballot" if:
They were registered in their old county of residence
They would have been eligible to vote in the county of former
residence on election day if still residing in that county and a
voter registration for the person in the county of new residence is
not effective on or before Election Day
In Travis County, voters who vote under this procedure must complete
an application for limited ballot and may vote only during the early
voting period and only at the main early voting location located at
5501 Airport Boulevard in Austin. Limited Ballot voters are entitled
to vote on all statewide races and any district offices that are in
common between the old and new counties. For more information and
assistance, contact the Travis County Clerk Election Division hotline
at (512) 238-VOTE (8683).
A Provisional Ballot is used when someone is not
listed on the voter registration roll. A special process outlined in
federal legislation is used to review the eligibility of these
ballots. If you arrive at a polling location on election day and your registration status cannot be verified, you may request a provisional ballot at that time.
Can I request a ballot by mail? What
procedures are available for voters going overseas?
Under specific circumstances, voters can apply for a ballot by mail. The
application must be in the office of the Travis County Clerk Elections
Division by the 7th day before Election Day. If you are a Travis
County registered voter and meet one of the following criteria, you
may apply to receive an early voting ballot by mail.
65 years of age or older
Disabled
Incarcerated
Expect to be absent from Travis County for the entire voting
period (including all early voting dates and on election day)
Simply send a written request to Travis County
Early Voting Clerk Dana DeBeauvoir, P.O. Box 149325, Austin, TX
78714-9325 or fax to (512) 854-9075. Please include all of the following
important information:
Your name and registration address
The election date
The type of election
The reason you are requesting a ballot by mail
Your signature
The address where you wish to have the ballot mailed
The U.S. Post Office or common courier must
deliver applications by 5:00 p.m. on the 7th day before Election Day.
Ballots must be returned to the County Clerk's office by mail or by
contract carrier by 7:00 p.m. on Election Day.
Ballots received after 7:00 p.m. on election night
will not be counted. For more information and assistance regarding
Ballot by Mail procedures, visit the Travis County Clerk Election
Division web site or call the Elections hotline at (512)
238-VOTE (8683).
What if I want to know more about the upcoming elections?
Additional information about the upcoming elections
is located on various web sites. Visit the Elections
page on this web site, visit the Travis County Clerk Elections Division
web site or call the Elections hotline at (512)
238-VOTE (8683).
My registration is expired by more than 30 days. How can I renew it?
If your registration has already expired, the fastest way to get a new sticker is to come into one of our offices in person so we can issue the new registration sticker and hand it to you on the spot. All other methods of renewal (by phone, by mail, etc.) take between 7 - 14 business days because the sticker must be mailed out to you. Review all the ways you can renew and pick the one that best serves your specific needs here.
I just got a ticket from a police officer for driving with expired registation. What do I do now?
You should come in to any of our 5 locations as soon as possible. Many times law enforcement will give you a due date to provide proof that you've renewed the registration (aka: a "fix it ticket"). Be sure to let our representative know that you were ticketed. You will pay an additional 20% of your regular registration fee as a penalty (in most cases this works out to less than $15). Our office will provide you with a stamped receipt showing the renewal and payment of the penalty paid that you can then use to prove to the authorities that you have met your obligations in response to the ticket. In many instances this stamped receipt is required in order for the ticket to be reduced or dismissed, so it is very important that you advise us accurately of any tickets you've received, regardless of how you renew.
Why didn't you send me a renewal notice?
Vehicle renewal notices are mailed by the Texas Department
of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) about 30 days before the expiration. Some
of the reasons people may not receive a renewal notice include changes
of address and changes in vehicle ownership. Sometimes the reminder
notices are simply lost on their way through the postal system. The
good news is that in most cases you do not need the notice to renew
the registration on your vehicle. You can find helpful information about
how to renew your registration without a renewal notice here.
For future notices, you can also sign
up for an e-reminder from TxDMV. You'll get your vehicle registration
renewal reminder via email.
I purchased my registration renewal but haven't received it yet. What happened?
Please allow 10 - 14 days for any registration stickers you purchased by mail. Please allow 7 - 10 days for any registration stickers you purchased online. Please allow 5 - 7 days for any registration stickers you purchased through our office by phone.
If you've allowed the proper amount of time to pass and still have not received your sticker, please call us right away at (512) 854-9473 with your license plate or VIN number so that we can verify if we have correct mailing address information on file for your vehicle and determine how best to get a replacement sticker issued to you.
I lost my vehicle registration sticker. How can I get a new one?
You can receive a replacement sticker from our office for $7.00. You can obtain this sticker in person, by mail or over the phone. (A vendor fee of $3.00 applies to purchases made with a credit card.)
Can I renew registration online?
Yes, if your renewal is for this month or next month you can renew online at www.texas.gov. You must have a major credit card and will need both your license plate and vehicle identification number (VIN). Be sure to select TRAVIS from the list of counties offered. Selecting AUSTIN will cause the renewal to be delayed or rejected. The service provider for the www.texas.gov website charges $3 per transaction.
I moved to another location in Texas. How can I be sure that I receive my regular renewal notice?
You can update your address online here or call us at (512) 854-9473. When you move it is important to change the renewal recipient address on your motor vehicle record. Updating your address will help to ensure that you receive your registration renewal notice. Failure to renew your registration on time is against the law and may result in a fine.
I sold my car. Why did I receive a renewal notice in the mail?
At the time of the printing (which usually occurs
several months in advance of your renewal notice being mailed out by
TxDMV) your record still showed your name and address as the owner of
the vehicle. You can find the "printed on" date on the bottom left hand
corner of the renewal notice. If you don't know if the person you sold
the car to has completed a title transfer into their name, please call
(512) 854-9473 with the license plate or VIN number so that we can check
the record for you and verify whether you need to complete a VTR-346
form.
Can I legally drive my vehicle after the registration expires?
Yes, but only for 5 days after the registration expiration date without penalty. This "grace period" is commonly (but not always) honored by law enforcement. To be 100% sure you avoid being ticketed, we recommend renewing before the expiration date or finding alternate transportation until the new registration sticker is obtained and mounted on your windshield.
If your registration has already expired, the fastest way to get a new sticker is to come into one of our offices in person so we can issue the new registration sticker and hand it to you on the spot. All other methods of renewal (by phone, by mail) take between 7 - 14 business days because the sticker must be mailed out to you. We are here to help. Call (512) 854-9473 if you need to renew an expired registration but can't come in person to get it.
Is the information you have on my vehicle record private?
What documents and fees are required to register a
vehicle I already own that is coming into Texas from another state?
Assuming that ownership of the vehicle will not be changing and that the vehicle in question currently has out of state license plates on it, follow the GENERAL steps listed here.
Is it true that I can keep my license plates when I sell my vehicle?
Yes, and, if you'd like to, you can transfer those
plates to a new vehicle you own or buy and receive a new registration
sticker. Be sure to remove and destroy the registration sticker on the
vehicle you are selling when you take off the plates. If you take your
registration sticker and license plates off a vehicle that you've sold
and are NOT coming in to an office with your buyer to transfer your
title into their name, you will need to produce a Vehicle
Transit Permit to give to your buyer.
I traded my car in to a dealer and the dealership took off the plates and sticker even though I did not want to transfer the plates to my new vehicle. Why?
That's because dealers are required to remove the plates and registration stickers from any vehicles they buy or take in trade. Dealers usually offer to give you the plates (even if you don't plan to transfer them). If you don't want to use the plates again, you may deface them with indelible black ink or some other method that would prevent someone else from using them. Some dealers will also dispose of the plates for you. Or, if you'd prefer, you can drop them off at any of the Travis County Tax Office locations to be defaced and recycled.
Can I register or title my "pocket bike" or "toy motorcycle" (gasoline or battery-powered scooter) and drive it on the street?
In most cases, the answer is no. This is because most of these types of vehicles do not pass a vehicle safety inspection and therefore cannot be registered or driven on public roads. Additionally, a secure Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) issued by a manufacturer registered with the federal government is required to title any motorized vehicle for the first time. Because most of these types of vehicles do not come with a Certificate of Origin, they cannot be titled either.
Can I register a moped which can pass or has passed a state safety inspection?
Your moped must be on the approved list of mopeds maintained by the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) in order to be legally registered in Texas. This list is updated quarterly. Additionally, a secure Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) is required to title any motorized vehicle for the first time.
If your moped has a Manufacturer's Certificate of Title and is on the DPS approved list of mopeds, we can title and register it for you.
What's the difference between disabled person license plates and disabled person parking placards? Where would I go to obtain plates or placards for myself or someone I know?
TxDMV has created this very helpful guide outlining a lot of the commonly misunderstood aspects of disabled plate and placard ownership and use. This guide can be printed up and carried in your glovebox or purse for your convenience. You can also find more detailed information about disabled person plates and placards on this page of our website. Disabled person license plates and placards can be issued by any of our five Travis County Tax Office locations.
Is the information you have on my vehicle
record private?
I sold a vehicle. What can I do to ensure that the record
shows it was sold?
Our office always recommends, whenever possible, that buyer(s) and seller(s) come in together in person to one of our offices to complete the title transfer. This is the best and quickest way to make sure that the title transfer is done correctly and in a timely fashion. However, in situations where the seller is unable to come in to an office with their buyer, we highly recommend that they complete this form and send it directly to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to note on the official state vehicle record that it is no longer in their possession. For best results, file this form within 30 days of the date of sale.
What documents and fees are required to transfer a
Texas-titled vehicle? How do I transfer a title on a vehicle with an out-of-state title?
You can find a list of all necessary documents and fees for processing a person-to-person title transfer using a Texas title here.
You can find a list of all necessary documents and fees for processing a person-to-person title transfer using an out-of-state title here.
We are here to help. Contact the Tax Office at (512) 854-9473 or send us an email if you have any questions about title transfers.
I plan to buy a vehicle from an individual (not a dealer). What do I need to know before I change the ownership into my name?
There are several things to check and to be aware of BEFORE you buy:
Does the seller have the title (either the original title or a certified
copy of the original issued by the state) to the vehicle? If not,
do not buy the vehicle. Legitimate sellers should have a useable title
before attempting to sell any vehicle they own.
Does the seller's name appear on the front of the title? If not,
they are not the legal owner of the vehicle and will need to get a
title IN THEIR NAME before they attempt to sell the vehicle to someone
else. (One of the few exceptions to this very important rule would be if the person selling the vehicle is the legitimate heir or executor for an owner who has passed away. Call our office at 854-9473 for questions about deceased owner title transfers.)
Is more than one person listed on the front of the title as the
owner? Then both of those individuals must sign
both the title and 130-U form in order for the title transfer to be
completed.
Is there a lien showing on the front of the title? If so, check
to see if that lien holder has signed and dated the Release of Lien
section on the title. If you do not see the lienholder signature and
date, the seller will need to provide you with additional lien release
documentation in order to legally sell the vehicle.
Is there someone else's name written on the back of the title (in
the "assignment of title" section) as the "buyer"?
If so, the seller has attempted to sell this vehicle previously and,
while this error can be corrected, it must be corrected by the seller.
Be aware that any alterations to the back of the title, either by
crossing through a name, covering it with "white out" or
changing it at all will void the title and make it unuseable. If there
is any question about the condition of the title, please have the
seller bring it in to one of our offices for inspection by a title
specialist so that we can determine if it can be legally used to transfer
ownership.
You can, and should, also do a Title Check on this TxDMV website to verify that the person you're buying from is the owner of record and to look for any notations that might preclude them from being able to legally sell the vehicle in question.
Once you have done a Title Check and reviewed the necessary documentation to check for these common issues, we recommend, whenever possible, that buyer and seller come to our office in person to complete a private party title transfer. If there is anything about the title that gives you pause or cause for concern we recommend waiting to purchase the vehicle until you and the seller can meet at one of our offices to have the documents in quetion inspected by a title specialist. In many cases this will save time and, potentially, money and aggravation since having a trained specialist review all of the paper work in person is the easiest way to ensure that it is processed correctly and efficiently. However, if you cannot both come in to an office together, you can find general guidelines regarding required documents and fees here.
What is the deadline to file a title transfer?
You must file the paperwork to transfer a title within 30 calendar days from the date the seller signs the back of the title in the "assignment of title" section. Failure to meet this deadline results in sales tax penalty and could result in costly registration penalties as well.
How much does it cost to do a title transfer?
Assuming there are no late penalties involved, there are three basic fees a buyer will pay to complete a title transfer in Travis County.
1) $33.00 title transfer fee
2) 6.25% sales tax. The sales tax is charged on EITHER the purchase price indicated on the VTR 130-U form OR on 80% of the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV), whichever is higher. We caluclate the SPV using the VIN# and current odometer reading. You can find out more about the SPV guidelines and look up a specific vehicle's full Standard Presumptive Value here.
3) Vehicle registration fee. EITHER $2.50 if the registration is issued by Texas and is current (still good) at the time of the title transfer OR the full registration renewal price for that particular type of vehicle. You can look up more information about vehicle registration fees in Travis County here.
How long does it take to get a title once it has been transferred?
The ususal time for a title to be mailed from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) to the new owner is about 3 weeks.
Why does the state show a lien on my vehicle title even though I paid it off?
We don't know your car is paid off until you submit an updated title application with your original title and the necessary title fee ($33.00) to the county tax office for processing. Until the lien release is recorded, the vehicle record stays the same. If the title you have shows an original lien release signature and date or you have a "lien release letter" or TxDMV lien release document provided by your previous lien holder, you should be able to sell your vehicle without first having to file for a lien-free title.
I want to give my vehicle to someone. What are the requirements to transfer a vehicle as a gift?
To legally give a vehicle as a gift (that qualifies
for the $10 gift tax instead of the standard 6.25% sales tax) the giver
and receiver must be immediate members of the same family. Per the specifications
outlined on State Comptroller's
Form 14-317 (which is required documentation for any vehicle gift
transaction) this includes any transaction where the donor's relationship
to the recipient of the vehicle (including in-law relationships) is
as: parent/step-parent, child/step-child, grandchild, sibling, grandparent,
legal guardian, decedent's estate, qualified non-profit IRC 501(c)(3)
or spouse if the vehicle was previously held as separate property.
My spouse died. How do I transfer the vehicle title into my name?
If your spouse had a will, the vehicle becomes part
of the probate process and can be transacted upon by the Executor/Executrix
named by the courts. If your spouse did not leave a will, you can fill
out the Affidavit of Heirship
along with all of the other required title transfer documentation. We
are here to help. If you have any questions about a title transfer involving
a deceased owner or owners, please call us at (512) 854-9473 or bring
all your documentation in to an office so one of our title specialists
can review it in detail with you.
Is the information you have on my vehicle title record private?
Search for the title. If you have lost the title, please visit the TxDMV Lost Titles page here.
How do I get a copy of the title if it is lost?
You may apply for a lost title if it is in your name, or if you are the recorded lien holder for the vehicle. If a vehicle has more than one name listed as owner, both persons must apply for lost title. The application may be completed and mailed to the address provided on the application.. If the owner or owners wish to apply in person they may visit the regional office of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles that serves Central Texas located in Austin at 1001 E. Parmer Lane. If just one owner is able to visit in person, he or she may complete the application with the other owner and bring it in person, however, the absent owner must provide a copy of his or her driver's license. Follow all instructions as described on the form itself to be sure you are satisfying the TxDMV's requirements.
For more details about obtaining a duplicate copy of a lost title, please visit the TxDMV Lost Titles page linked to in the question above.
I keep receiving Texas Tolltag tickets for a vehicle
that I sold. What can I do?
Complete this
form (VTR 346) and send it directly to the Texas Department of Motor
Vehicles (TxDMV) to note on the official vehicle record that the vehicle
is no longer in your possession.
I sold my car to an individual or sold/traded it
in to a dealer. Why am I still showing up as the owner in the state's
records?
The state's records will continue to show you as the last recorded owner until a new title is applied for and recorded in the buyer's name. A licensed motor vehicle dealer is not required to apply for a new title until the vehicle is sold to a retail purchaser.
Is the information you have on my vehichle record private?
