DMV Release of Liability Form

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A DMV release of liability form is used after a vehicle is sold or transferred to inform the DMV about the change in ownership. Filing this form with the DMV prevents the previous owner from being held responsible for any vehicle-related incidents that occur under the new owner’s possession, such as speeding tickets, accidents, or parking violations.

DMV Release of Liability Form

A DMV release of liability form is used after a vehicle is sold or transferred to inform the DMV about the change in ownership. Filing this form with the DMV prevents the previous owner from being held responsible for any vehicle-related incidents that occur under the new owner’s possession, such as speeding tickets, accidents, or parking violations.

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Last updated March 20th, 2024

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A DMV release of liability form is used after a vehicle is sold or transferred to inform the DMV about the change in ownership. Filing this form with the DMV prevents the previous owner from being held responsible for any vehicle-related incidents that occur under the new owner’s possession, such as speeding tickets, accidents, or parking violations.

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When a DMV Release of Liability is Required

In some states, a release of liability form must be filed with the DMV whenever a vehicle is sold, donated, or gifted to someone else. In other states, the release form is optional and sent as a means to inform the DMV that the previous owner is no longer liable for the vehicle.

Clicking the link below allows individuals to view a list of state-specific release forms and the deadlines for filing with the DMV following the transfer of ownership.

State-Specific Forms
STATE FORM – PDF OR ONLINE REQUIRED? FILING DEADLINE
Alabama N/A ❌ N/A
Alaska Report the Sale or Transfer of a Vehicle ✅ 10 days[1]
Arizona Sold Notice ✅ 10 days[2]
Arkansas Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle ❌ N/A
California Notice of Transfer and Release of Liability ✅ 5 days[3]
Colorado Report Release of Liability – Link found under “Vehicle Services” ❌ 5 days[4] 
Connecticut N/A ❌ N/A
Delaware Vehicle Transfer Notification ✅ N/A
Florida Notice of Sale ✅ N/A
Georgia N/A ❌ N/A
Hawaii Notice of Transfer:

✅

 10 days[5]
Idaho Notice of Release of Liability ✅ 5 days[6]
Illinois Seller’s Report of Sale ✅ N/A
Indiana N/A ❌ N/A
Iowa Notice of Sale and Delivery of Title ❌ N/A
Kansas N/A ❌ N/A
Kentucky N/A ❌ N/A
Louisiana Notice of Transfer of Vehicle ✅ 15 days[7]
Maine N/A ❌ N/A
Maryland N/A ❌ N/A
Massachusetts N/A ❌ N/A
Michigan N/A ❌ N/A
Minnesota Report of Sale ✅ N/A
Mississippi N/A ❌ N/A
Missouri Notice of Sale or Transfer ✅ 30 days[8]
Montana N/A ❌ N/A
Nebraska N/A ❌ N/A
Nevada N/A ❌ N/A
New Hampshire N/A ❌ N/A
New Jersey N/A ❌ N/A
New Mexico Notice of Vehicle Sold ✅ N/A
New York N/A ❌ N/A
North Carolina N/A ❌ N/A
North Dakota N/A ❌ N/A
Ohio N/A ❌ N/A
Oklahoma Notice of Transfer of Ownership of a Motor Vehicle ❌ N/A
Oregon Notice of Sale or Transfer of a Vehicle ✅ 10 days[9]
Pennsylvania N/A ❌ N/A
Rhode Island N/A ❌ N/A
South Carolina Notice of Vehicle Sold ✅ N/A
South Dakota Seller’s Report of Sale ✅ Immediately[10]
Tennessee N/A ❌ N/A
Texas Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification ❌ 30 days[11]
Utah Report a Sold Vehicle ✅ N/A
Vermont N/A ❌ N/A
Virginia Notify DMV ✅ N/A
Washington Vehicle Report of Sale ✅ 5 business days[12]
West Virginia Sold Vehicle or Watercraft Notice ❌ N/A
Wisconsin Private Seller Notification ✅ 30 days[13]
Wyoming N/A ❌ N/A