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The bottom line: To sell a car in Mississippi, you sign the title over to the buyer and hand it off. Title notarization is not required, so no notary is involved.
There is no emissions test and no safety inspection to sell. A bill of sale is not required, and there is Not required. The signed title is the record of the sale.
License plates stay with the seller, so remove them before the buyer drives away. The buyer then has 30 business days from the purchase date to register the vehicle at their county tax collector’s office.
If you’ve lost the title, a replacement costs $9.00 and takes 3 to 4 weeks for standard processing. You can also compare offers from multiple buyers before you decide.
Mississippi at a Glance
- Title required to sell: yes
- Title notarization: not required
- Cost to replace a lost title: $9.00, using Form 78-006
- Replacement processing time: 3 to 4 weeks for standard processing
- Title replacement online: no, it is submitted by mail
- Bill of sale: not required
- Bill of sale notarization: not required
- Emissions testing to sell: not required
- Safety inspection to sell: not required
- Odometer disclosure: model year 2011 or newer requires odometer disclosure until the vehicle is 20 years old, model year 2010 and older is exempt
- License plates stay: with the seller
- Buyer’s deadline to register: 30 business days from the purchase date to register the vehicle
- Buyer penalty for missing the deadline: a 5% penalty for the first 15 days late, then an added 5% for each 30 days overdue, up to a 25% maximum, after which the Legislative Tag Credit is lost
- Release of liability form: None required
- Release of liability deadline: Not required
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Step-by-Step Process for Mississippi
Step 1: Prepare Your Mississippi Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Mississippi driver’s license – Name must match the title exactly
- Lien release documentation – Required if you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. To do this, complete Form 78-006, pay the $9.00 fee, and mail it to the Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Services. Processing takes 3 to 4 weeks for standard processing.
Need it faster? A Fast Track replacement is issued within 72 hours of receipt. The fee is $39.00 using Fast Track Form 78-026.
If your car is old enough and you’re scrapping it, you may be able to skip the title altogether.
If you still owe money on the car:
Your lender must release the lien before you can transfer the title. In Mississippi, the lienholder releases the lien before transfer, a title showing a lien is held until the lien is satisfied, and the E-Lien program processes a lien release electronically. If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Learn more: How to Sell a Financed Car?
Name matching requirement:
Check your title carefully. The name on your driver’s license must match the name on the title exactly. If you changed your name after marriage or for any other reason, bring documentation showing the name change.
No notarization needed:
Title notarization is not required in Mississippi, since Mississippi does not require the title assignment to be notarized, the designated agent at the county Tax Collector's office identifies the signer and witnesses the signature. You sign the title assignment in black or blue ink and hand the title to the buyer.
Step 2: Prepare Your Car
Clean your car inside and out, gather maintenance records, and run a VIN check to get the best price and build buyer confidence.
Learn more:
Step 3: Price Your Car
Learn more: Best Free Car Valuation Tools
Step 4: Advertise Your Car
Facebook Marketplace works best in Mississippi, especially in Jackson, Gulfport, and Biloxi where buyer activity is highest. Cars.com and Autotrader are good for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Alabama, Tennessee, and Louisiana.
Mississippi has no emissions testing, so older vehicles and trucks sell well locally without any pre-sale inspection requirements. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, Carvana will give competitive offers if you have a newer car, and you can compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor before deciding.
Best for Newer Cars
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Offer amount 35% 5/5
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Process ease 20% 5/5
-
Offer validity 15% 4/5
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Pickup / drop-off 15% 4/5
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Payment speed 15% 4/5
- Accepts cars with active loans
- Trade-in can save on sales tax
- License plate starts the quote
- Direct deposit option available
Best for Older Cars
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
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Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 4/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 5/5
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Process ease 15% 5/5
- Quote stays valid for 7 days
- Handles all the paperwork too
- Buys cars that are missing keys
- Pays cash or check at pickup
Best for Junk Cars
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Offer amount 30% 5/5
-
Quote speed 20% 5/5
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Pickup speed 20% 5/5
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Vehicle acceptance 15% 4/5
-
Process ease 15% 4/5
- Assists with replacement titles
- Buys cars stripped for parts
- Driver pays you before loading
- Quote often needs a phone call
Learn more:
Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
Learn more:
Step 6: Handle Payment and Negotiate
Cash for cars under $5,000, cashier’s check (verify at bank), or meet at buyer’s bank for wire transfer.
Learn more:
Step 7: Complete the Mississippi Title Transfer
On the back of your title, find the “Assignment of Title by Registered Owner” section. Print the buyer’s full legal name and address exactly as shown on their ID, then fill in the odometer reading, sale price, and date of sale.
Title notarization is not required in Mississippi. You sign the assignment section, since Mississippi does not require the title assignment to be notarized, the designated agent at the county Tax Collector's office identifies the signer and witnesses the signature.
Use black or blue ink only. If you make a mistake anywhere on the title, don’t try to fix it with white-out or cross-outs. A corrected title becomes void in Mississippi. Apply for a duplicate using Form 78-006 for $9.00 and start fresh.
If both spouses are listed on the title with “AND,” both must sign. If the title uses “OR,” only one signature is needed.
Mississippi follows the federal odometer rule: model year 2011 or newer requires odometer disclosure until the vehicle is 20 years old, model year 2010 and older is exempt. In most private sales, recording the mileage in the title assignment section is enough. In some cases you may also need a Form 78-015 Odometer Disclosure Statement, required when the title has no disclosure space or for an out of state vehicle.
Your buyer has 30 business days from the purchase date to register the vehicle. If they miss that window, they face a 5% penalty for the first 15 days late, then an added 5% for each 30 days overdue, up to a 25% maximum, after which the Legislative Tag Credit is lost. Let them know upfront so they plan ahead.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale is not required by state law in Mississippi. In practice, a bill of sale is needed only when the title assignment has no space to record the purchase price, otherwise it is optional. It’s smart protection for you.
Bill of sale notarization is not required in Mississippi. You can use our free bill of sale generator to create one in minutes.
Learn more: What is Bill of Sale for a Car? (Seller Guide + Templates)
Step 9: Handle Mississippi License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Mississippi, plates stay with the seller, not the car.
You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own, or surrender them to your county Tax Collector. Your plates cannot go to the buyer. As for tags, you cannot move a tag to another vehicle, the old tag is surrendered and the new owner registers a new one.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car at their county tax collector’s office.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
A release of liability form is None required. There is Not required.
Contact the Mississippi Department of Revenue if you want to confirm the transfer is on file. This creates a paper trail showing you’re no longer responsible for the vehicle.
Step 11: Cancel Insurance
Cancel your insurance only after the title transfer is complete.
Learn more: When to Cancel Car Insurance After Selling a Car?
Mississippi Sale Checklist
Before the Sale
At the Sale
After the Sale
Mississippi DMV Resources
State Resources:
- Mississippi Department of Revenue – Motor Vehicle Division
- County tax collector offices handle all vehicle titling, registration, and license plates. Find your local office through the DOR website.
- For a full list of state DMV websites, see our List of 50 States DMV Websites.
Phone Support:
- Motor Vehicle Licensing Bureau: (601) 923-7100
- Title Bureau: (601) 923-7200
Mississippi Fees and Costs
| What You Pay | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (standard) | $9.00 | Before sale, if original is lost |
| Duplicate title (Fast Track) | $39.00 | Before sale, if you need it within 72 hours |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sell a car without a title in Mississippi?
Most sales need the title, but there is one exception. Mississippi Code Section 63-21-39 allows transfer of a scrapped vehicle without a title to a licensed used motor vehicle parts dealer or scrap metal processor.
You sign a sworn statement on a form promulgated by the Department of Revenue. For a normal sale, you would instead replace the title using Form 78-006.
How long does the buyer have to register the car after we complete the sale?
The buyer has 30 business days from the purchase date to register the vehicle.
Missing the deadline means penalty fees on top of the normal registration costs. Let your buyer know about this window before you hand over the title.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Mississippi?
Title notarization is not required in Mississippi. You sign the title assignment section, since Mississippi does not require the title assignment to be notarized, the designated agent at the county Tax Collector's office identifies the signer and witnesses the signature.
Sign the title exactly as your name appears on the front, and use black or blue ink.
When is a bill of sale required in Mississippi?
A bill of sale is not required by state law in Mississippi for most titled vehicle sales. In practice, a bill of sale is needed only when the title assignment has no space to record the purchase price, otherwise it is optional.
Even when it’s not required, creating one gives both you and the buyer a written record of the transaction. Bill of sale notarization is not required in Mississippi.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Mississippi?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first.
If you owe more than the car is worth, you’ll need to pay the difference out of pocket before the transfer can be completed.
My car was inherited. What additional Mississippi forms do I need?
Mississippi uses the will and probate status to decide the process. The forms involved are Title Application Form 78-002, with Affidavit of Heirship Form 78-014 when there is no will.
Check with your county tax collector or an attorney if you’re unsure which process applies to your situation.
Both my spouse and I are on the Mississippi title. Do we both need to sign?
If your names are connected with “AND” (like “John Doe AND Jane Doe”), both spouses must sign the title.
If the title uses “OR” (like “John Doe OR Jane Doe”), only one signature is needed.
What if I make a mistake on the Mississippi title?
Don’t try to fix it yourself with white-out or cross-outs. In Mississippi, any correction voids the title completely.
You’ll need to apply for a duplicate title using Form 78-006 and pay the $9.00 fee before you can complete the sale.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Mississippi require anything special?
From your side as the seller, your obligations are the same regardless of where the buyer lives. Sign the title, remove your plates, and hand over the keys.
The buyer may need to handle extra steps when registering in their home state, such as a VIN inspection. That’s their responsibility to research. You don’t need to do anything differently.
Do Mississippi license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, plates stay with the seller. Remove them before the buyer drives away. You can transfer your plates to another vehicle you own, or surrender them to your county Tax Collector.
The buyer will get new plates when they register the vehicle. Your old plates cannot be reused on anyone else’s car.
Will the buyer owe taxes when they register the car in Mississippi?
Yes. Mississippi charges a 5% casual sales tax on private vehicle sales, collected at the time of registration.
The state calculates the 5% on the vehicle’s true value from the Department of Revenue assessment schedule, not strictly the price written on the title. So underreporting the sale price does not lower the tax.
This is worth knowing during price negotiations. It’s the buyer’s cost, not yours, but it affects what they’re willing to pay.
Article Update History
All legal requirements in this guide were verified against Mississippi Department of Revenue records.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.
Sources
"not required" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
"not required" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
Duplicate Title Application Form
"Form 78-006" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
"model year 2011 or newer requires odometer disclosure until the vehicle is 20 years old, model year 2010 and older is exempt" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
"the lienholder releases the lien before transfer, a title showing a lien is held until the lien is satisfied, and the E-Lien program processes a lien release electronically" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026
Title Notarization Explanation
"Mississippi does not require the title assignment to be notarized, the designated agent at the county Tax Collector's office identifies the signer and witnesses the signature" Accessed Jun. 5, 2026