Montana DMV Services

🕐 Deadlines (Timing to Act)

• After buying a car (new or used), Montana law gives you 40  days from the sale date to transfer the title into your name and register the vehicle at your local county treasurer’s office. Late fees apply if you wait longer than 40  days.
• If you move to Montana with an out‑of‑state vehicle, you generally must title and register it within 60  days of establishing residency.

📜 To Title & Register

🚘 1. Vehicle Title / Proof of Ownership

• Used car: Bring the current title signed over to you by the seller. Both the seller’s and your information must be on the title.
• New vehicle: If it’s a new car, you’ll use the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MCO) or equivalent dealer paperwork.
• Montana titles and registers vehicles at the same time — you cannot have one without the other.

👉 If the seller lost the title, they must get a replacement (Form MV7) before signing over ownership.

🪪 2. Odometer & Sale Info

• Generally include the odometer reading, sale price, and sale date on the title or supporting forms (especially for private sales).

🧑‍💼 3. Identification

• Bring valid government ID (driver’s license or state/tribal ID) when applying at your county treasurer’s office (the location that processes titles/registrations).

🚗 4. Proof of Insurance

• You must show proof of auto insurance that meets Montana’s minimum liability requirements before issuing registration.

💵 Taxes

• MT is a no sales tax state
• Luxury tax is assessed for vehicles over $150,000

📋 Special Cases & Notes

• Gifts/transfers: If a vehicle is given (not sold), you still apply for a new title and registration. Forms like Statement of Fact (MV100) may be used to explain the non‑sale transaction.
• If the title and registration are going into an LLC, title can only be under the LLC
• If a lease transaction title will be processed showing only lessor information

🧠 Quick Checklist 

✔ Original title or MCO
✔ Original odometer
✔ Copy of contract
✔ Proof of insurance
✔ Copy of Driver’s License or EIN/FEIN number
✔ Bill of sale or Purchase order
✔ Vehicle color
✔ Power of attorney
✔ Fees
✔ Trust documents, if applicable