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The bottom line: Selling a car privately in Utah is straightforward. You sign the back of the title, remove your license plates, and report the sale immediately. Utah has no statewide emissions requirement for sellers, which keeps the process simple.
As the seller, you’re responsible for signing the title over correctly, providing an odometer disclosure for vehicles model year 2011 and newer, and notifying the Utah DMV after the sale. The buyer handles taxes and registration after that.
Not sure if a private sale is the right move? You can compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to see what your car is worth before you decide.
Key Takeaways
- Title notarization: Utah doesn’t require it. Just sign in blue or black ink exactly as your name appears on the title.
- Missing title: A replacement costs $6 and requires Form TC-123. Processing takes about 10 to 14 business days, but you can give a fully completed TC-123 directly to your buyer instead of waiting.
- Buyer deadline: The buyer has approximately 45 days to register the car and may need a VIN inspection if registering in Utah for the first time.
- License plates: They stay with you, not the car. Remove them before the buyer drives away.
- Release of liability: Utah requires you to report the sale immediately. You can do this online through the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal.
- Bill of sale: Not required by law, but strongly recommended. It documents the sale price the buyer needs for calculating sales tax.
- Joint ownership: If your title says “AND” between owners, both must sign. If it says “OR,” one signature is enough.
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Step-by-Step Process for Utah
Step 1: Prepare Your Utah Paperwork
Documents you’ll need:
- Vehicle title – Must be in your name and clear of liens
- Valid Utah driver’s license – Names must match exactly
- Lien release documentation – If you still owe money on the car
If your title is missing:
You’ll need to get a replacement first. Download Form TC-123 (Application for Duplicate Utah Title) and submit it to the Utah DMV with your ID and the $6.00 fee. Processing takes about 10 to 14 business days.
Utah shortcut: You don’t have to wait for the duplicate title to arrive. If you sign both Part 1 and Part 2 of Form TC-123, you can give the completed form directly to your buyer as a substitute for the original title. This saves up to two weeks.
If you still owe money on the car:
In Utah, many lenders use the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system, meaning there’s no paper title for you to hold. You’ll need to contact your lender to have the lien released and the physical paper title sent to you before the sale can happen. If you owe more than the car’s 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 got married or changed your name, bring documentation showing the name change.
Electronic titles:
Utah’s ELT system is for lienholders only. If a lender holds your title electronically, they must release it and have the physical paper title sent to you before you can complete the sale. Start this process early since it can take a few weeks.
Learn more: How to Sell a Car Without a Title?
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 Utah, especially in Salt Lake City, Provo, and Ogden where buyer activity is highest. Autotrader is also a good option for reaching buyers statewide and from neighboring states like Nevada and Colorado.
Utah’s outdoor culture means strong local demand for trucks, SUVs, and 4WD vehicles, so be sure to highlight those features in your listing. Peddle or Wheelzy will buy your old or damaged car directly, and Carvana will give you competitive offers if you have a newer car.
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Step 5: Meet with Buyers Safely
Always meet at public places like bank parking lots during daylight hours.
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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.
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Step 7: Complete the Utah Title Transfer
The assignment section is on the back of your Utah title. Fill it in with the buyer’s full legal name and address, the date of sale, the purchase price, and the current odometer reading. Use only black or blue ink and do not make any corrections. Even a small mistake voids the title entirely, and you’ll need to apply for a duplicate.
Sign your name exactly as it appears on the front of the title. If the title lists two owners with “AND” between them, both must sign. If it says “OR,” one signature is enough.
Odometer disclosure: Utah requires an odometer disclosure for vehicles model year 2011 and newer. Vehicles from 2010 and older are exempt. The odometer section is usually printed right on the title. If there isn’t space, you can use Form TC-891 (Odometer Disclosure Statement) as a separate document. Both you and the buyer sign it, and each party keeps a copy for at least four years.
After you sign: Give the buyer the signed title along with your current registration certificate. The buyer takes these to the Utah DMV and completes Form TC-656 (Application for Utah Title and Registration) to put the car in their name.
If the buyer has never titled a vehicle in Utah before, they’ll also need a VIN inspection using Form TC-661. This can often be completed at the DMV office during their registration visit. The buyer has approximately 45 days to complete the registration and can get a temporary permit from any Utah DMV office in the meantime.
Utah’s online option: If your vehicle qualifies, the buyer may use Utah’s UPP (Utah Person to Person) online system to process the transfer without visiting a DMV office. The UPP system works only for Utah-titled vehicles with no liens, no salvage brands, and no out-of-state titles.
Step 8: Sign Bill of Sale (Recommended)
A bill of sale isn’t required by law in Utah. It’s strongly recommended, though, because it documents the sale price the buyer needs to calculate sales tax when they register the car.
It doesn’t need to be notarized. You can use the state’s optional Form TC-843 or write your own. Either way, both you and the buyer should sign it and keep a copy. 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 Utah License Plates and Registration
Remove your license plates before the buyer drives away. In Utah, plates belong to you (the owner), not the car.
You can transfer the plates to another vehicle you own, or destroy them. By agreement with the buyer, you can also sell the plates with the vehicle.
The buyer gets new plates when they register the car in their name.
Learn more: How to Remove License Plates Safely?
Step 10: Submit the Release of Liability
File online with the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal after you sell the car. Do this immediately after the sale date.
You can also download Form TC-502 (Vehicle Report of Sale) and mail it to the Utah DMV if you prefer a paper option. Either way, this creates a record 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?
Utah DMV Resources
State Resources:
- Utah Division of Motor Vehicles (dmv.utah.gov)
- Find your state DMV website and local office information
Phone Support:
- (801) 297-7780 or 1-800-DMV-UTAH (800-368-8824)
Utah Fees and Costs
| What You Pay? | Cost | When? |
|---|---|---|
| Duplicate title (if needed) | $6.00 | Before sale |
| Lien payoff (if applicable) | Loan balance | Before sale |
| Everything else | $0 | Buyer pays |
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Frequently Asked Questions
How long does the buyer have to transfer the title after we complete the sale?
The buyer typically has about 45 days from the purchase date to complete title transfer and registration. If they miss that window, they may face late fees.
Buyers who aren’t quite ready can get a temporary permit from any Utah DMV office to legally drive the car while they gather their documents.
First-time Utah registrations also require a VIN inspection, which can usually be done at the DMV office during the registration visit.
Do I need to get the title notarized when I sign it over in Utah?
No, Utah doesn’t require title notarization. The title assignment never needs a notary. Just sign in blue or black ink exactly as your name appears on the title.
When is a bill of sale required in Utah?
A bill of sale isn’t required by state law in Utah.
It’s strongly recommended for all private sales, though, since the buyer needs the documented sale price to calculate how much sales tax they owe when registering the car. It doesn’t need to be notarized.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Utah?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first. In Utah, many lenders use the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system, so there may be no paper title in your hands.
You’ll need to contact your lender to release the lien and send you the physical title before you can transfer ownership.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
Can I sell my car if I still owe money on it in Utah?
Yes, but you need to coordinate lien release with your lender first. In Utah, many lenders use the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system, so there may be no paper title in your hands.
You’ll need to contact your lender to release the lien and send you the physical title before you can transfer ownership.
If you owe more than the car’s worth, you’ll need to pay the difference.
My car was inherited. What additional Utah forms do I need?
The process depends on whether the estate went through probate. For estates that went through probate, you’ll need letters testamentary or letters of administration to transfer the title.
For smaller estates that didn’t require probate, Utah allows an affidavit process to transfer the vehicle.
If the original title listed two owners with “OR” between them and one owner has passed, the surviving owner can sign and transfer the title without any additional forms.
Contact the Utah DMV directly for the specific documents needed in your situation.
Both my spouse and I are on the Utah title. Do we both need to sign?
It depends on the exact wording. If the title reads “John AND Jane,” both owners must sign to complete the transfer. If it reads “John OR Jane,” only one signature is needed.
Check the title carefully before you meet with the buyer to make sure the right people are available to sign.
What if I make a mistake on the Utah title?
Don’t try to fix it with white-out or cross-outs. Any correction voids the title entirely, and the DMV will reject it.
You’ll need to apply for a duplicate using Form TC-123, which costs $6 and takes about 10 to 14 business days.
The buyer is from out of state. Does Utah require anything special?
Your obligations as the Utah seller stay the same. Complete the title assignment, provide the odometer disclosure if required, and report the sale to the Utah DMV immediately after.
The buyer handles registration in their home state.
Note that out-of-state title transfers cannot be processed through Utah’s UPP online system, so the buyer may need to visit a Utah DMV office or work directly with their home state’s DMV.
Do Utah license plates transfer to the buyer?
No, Utah license plates stay with you (the seller). Remove them before the buyer drives away. You can transfer them to another vehicle you own, destroy them, or by agreement with the buyer, sell them with the car.
Do I need to file a release of liability after selling my car in Utah?
Yes. Utah requires you to report the sale immediately after the transaction is complete. The fastest way is online through the Utah Motor Vehicle Portal.
You can also mail Form TC-502 (Vehicle Report of Sale) to the Utah DMV.
Reporting the sale right away protects you if the buyer gets tickets or causes an accident before they complete the title transfer in their name.
Article Update History
All forms, fees, and filing deadlines have been verified against the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles.
Originally posted and shared with our readers.