Skip the DMV Rejection Line. Secure Your Private Sale.
Buying, selling, or gifting a vehicle privately? The Tax Office is notoriously strict about paperwork. We ensure your Bill of Sale, Title Application, and Gift Affidavits are notarized correctly so you can transfer ownership in one trip.
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The "Handshake" Isn't Enough
In a private vehicle sale, handing over the keys and cash is the easy part. The hard part is the paperwork. If the title isn’t transferred legally, the seller remains liable for toll violations, parking tickets, and accidents involving the car.
At Saffold Law, we protect both the buyer and the seller. We verify identities to prevent fraud and notarize the specific Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) forms required to finalize the deal.
The $10 "Gift Tax" Secret (Form 14-317)
This is the #1 reason clients come to us.
If you are giving a car to a family member (or selling it for a nominal fee), Texas allows you to pay a flat $10 Gift Tax instead of the standard 6.25% sales tax on the vehicle’s value.
BUT: You must submit a specific Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer (Form 14-317), and it must be notarized.
If this form has a single error or lacks a notary seal, the Tax Office will charge you the full tax on the Blue Book value of the car (often thousands of dollars). We ensure this form is perfect.
Documents We Notarize
We handle the full suite of Texas vehicle transfer documents.
1. Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U)
The essential form for every transfer. While not always required to be notarized by law, having it notarized adds a layer of protection against future claims of forgery.
2. Bill of Sale
A crucial document for your personal records. We notarize the Bill of Sale to prove exactly when the car was sold and for how much, protecting the seller from liability for actions taken by the new driver.
3. Affidavit of Motor Vehicle Gift Transfer (Form 14-317)
Required for transactions between parents, children, spouses, siblings, and grandparents to claim the $10 tax option. Both the Donor and Recipient must sign before a notary.
4. Power of Attorney to Transfer Vehicle (Form VTR-271)
If you are buying or selling a car for someone else (e.g., an elderly parent or a deployed spouse), you need this specific Power of Attorney notarized to sign the title on their behalf.
5. Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-262)
If a vehicle owner passes away without a will, this notarized form allows the heirs to transfer the title without going through a full probate court process.
Common Pitfalls (Why DIY Fails)
- “Title Jumping”
It is illegal to buy a car, never register it in your name, and then sell it to someone else. The “middleman” must pay tax. We ensure the chain of title is legal.
- Crossing Out Names
If you write the wrong name on the back of the official Title and cross it out, the Title is void. You will have to apply for a certified copy, delaying the sale by weeks. We guide you on exactly where to sign.
- Odometer Errors
Federal law requires strict odometer disclosure. A mistake here can flag the car as “Not Actual Mileage,” destroying its resale value.
Why Notarize at a Law Firm?
Fraud Protection
Fake titles and stolen cars are common in private sales (Craigslist/Facebook Marketplace). Our strict ID verification process scares off scammers. If the “seller” refuses to come to a law firm to notarize the Bill of Sale, that is a red flag.
Estate Knowledge
Transferring a deceased person’s car is complicated. As a law firm, we can advise on whether you need a simple VTR-262 form or if you need Letters Testamentary from a probate court.
Our Process
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1. Bring the Title
We need to see the original “Blue” Texas Title to verify the owner.
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2. Bring IDs
Both the Buyer and Seller should be present (especially for Gift Transfers).
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3. Drive Away Secure
We notarize the forms, and you leave ready to head straight to the Tax Assessor-Collector’s office.
Don't Get Stuck at the Tax Office.
Ensure your vehicle transfer is done right the first time. Contact Saffold Law for professional auto notary services.