Are you in need of a gas-friendly hatchback to hold all your gear for that desert road trip? Or maybe you’re looking for something a little bigger that could store a rooftop tent. KSL Cars has plenty of options for your next adventuremobile. However, if you’re buying from a private seller, you’ll need to register it in your name first. KSL Cars explains step-by-step how to transfer a car title in New Mexico.
Prepare your documents
You’ll have 30 days — or 90 days if the vehicle was bought out of state — to transfer the title and register the vehicle to your name. New Mexico’s Motor Vehicle Division has a list of required documents and forms you’ll need to transfer a title. All forms can be found online or in person at any MVD Field Office.
- Certificate of Title, with Assignment of Title signed by former vehicle owner
- Odometer Disclosure Statement, buyer and seller signature is required
- Proof of Insurance, drivers in New Mexico need to operate their vehicles with a minimum liability insurance
- Proof of New Mexico residency and identity
- Application for Vehicle TItle and Registration
- VIN Inspection for an out-of-state vehicle
VIN inspection
If your vehicle is from out-of-state, you’ll need to get a VIN inspection from an MVD Field Office or another Certified VIN Inspector. You’ll need to have:
- Odometer reading
- Identification with name, address and D.O.B., i.e. a driver’s license
- Make, model, vehicle year and vehicle type
Fees
Cost to register a vehicle in New Mexico depends on its weight and model year. You can expect to pay anywhere from $27 to $62 for one year. You can save some money by opting for a two-year registration with fees ranging from $54 to $124.
Other considerations
There are some special circumstances that apply in New Mexico.
- Emissions tests are required only in Bernalillo County (where Albuquerque is located)
- Liens on out-of-state vehicles require you to provide the name and address of the lien holder to the MVD, so they can order the vehicle title themselves
- All vehicles must pass the FBI’s National Crime Information Center test before the vehicle can legally be driven
- Bill of Sale is not required in every instance, but it shows proof of transaction between buyer and seller if the Assignment of Title is not on the back of the Certificate of Title
Lost titles
If you’ve misplaced a car title, don’t worry. The process to replace it is fairly straightforward. But you must be the legal owner of the vehicle to apply for the duplicate title.
If you are living in New Mexico you can fill out the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title and apply by mail or in person at a local DMV office. Replacement fee is $5, payable by check or money order only. If mailing the application, send the application and check to New Mexico’s Motor Vehicle Division.
Vehicle Services Bureau
P.O. Box 1028
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87504 - 1028
Take adventure to the next level and search for your ride on KSL Cars.
