What paperwork is involved when it comes to a used car?

Question

My fiance is giving me his car and I need to find out what paperwork will be involved and what are the steps necessary to go through?

Answer 1

He needs to provide to you the ownership certificate to the car preferring that the car is in his name. The currnet registration to the car. A bill of sale from him to you indicatting the selling price of the car, the date, your name, his name and address and phone number. The VIN. number and and also a current smog inspection showing the car recently passed smog. This is the case with all normal car sale transactions.

Answer 2

Honestly, it will save you money if you just wait until you're married. Then he can simply go to the DMV and add your name on the title.

Otherwise you'll have to go through the process of "transfering" title to you. He will basically fill out paperwork indicating that he is "gifting" the car to you, and the DMV will charge you taxes on the value of the gifted car.

So if you want to avoid paying extra taxes, add your name onto the title after marriage.

Now if you believe he's going to break off the engagement, then make sure he does "gift" the car to you... Just saying in case.

In terms of the actual insurance, he can simply add your name to the insurance of the car and you can legally drive the car. You don't need to legally own the car to drive his car. As long as there is insurance coverage you can drive the car. Once married, you can have your name added to the title at no cost.

If you do decide to get the title transfered into your name. Get him to sign a piece of paper indicating that he is gifting the car to you and the exact date, type of vehicle and the vin number of the vehicle.
Take the title of the vehicle (which he'll typically need to sign the back of the title) and the paper indicating he's gifting it to your local DMV. You'll need to pay the taxes and ensure any inspections the state requires are fullfilled (ie in CA you'll need to get a smog certificate also, other states require a safety inspection).
The DMV will then send you a new title with your name on it, indicating you own the car.