How to Gift a Car in Montana in 2026
Gifting a motor vehicle in Montana involves transferring the certificate of title from one person to another without monetary consideration. The transfer must be completed through the county treasurer's office in the recipient's county of residence.
How Does Gifting a Car in Montana Work?
A motor vehicle gifting transfer in Montana follows the standard ownership transfer process under Montana Code Section 61-3-220. The donor signs the title, accurately completing all required fields in blue or black ink. The recipient then applies for a new Montana title and registration at the county treasurer's office in the county where the recipient resides. Montana requires all owners listed on the title to sign the transfer document. The recipient has a grace period of 40 calendar days from the date of purchase to make the application for a new title and complete registration, though liability insurance must already be in place before the vehicle may be registered.
Montana Car Gifting Rules You Should Know
Title Status
Most motor vehicles in Montana require a certificate of title. A title establishes the legal owner of automobiles, trailers, semitrailers, campers, and similar vehicles. When a vehicle is gifted, the current title must accompany the transfer documents. The donor's name must appear exactly as written on the title face. Any discrepancy between the name on the title and the name written during transfer can delay processing.
License Plates
Upon the transfer of ownership, the donor must immediately remove the license plates from the vehicle. The plates belong to the owner, not the vehicle. License plates may be transferred to another vehicle owned by the donor by requesting a plate transfer through the county treasurer's office. When plates are transferred under Section 61-3-335, registration fees do not apply to the plate transfer itself, though the recipient must obtain new plates for the gifted vehicle unless the donor's plates are transferred to it.
Taxes and Fees
Montana imposes no state sales tax on vehicle registrations. When ownership transfers between individuals, no sales tax is assessed, whether the transaction is a sale or a gift. This distinguishes Montana from many other states and means the recipient pays only title fees, registration fees, and any applicable local option taxes.
However, title fees, registration fees, and county option taxes apply when the recipient registers the vehicle. Registration fees depend on the vehicle's age and weight. The recipient may also be subject to a county option tax based on the vehicle's manufacturer's suggested retail price, depreciated according to the vehicle's age.
Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Montana
Step 1: Verify the current title and clear any liens.
The donor must confirm that the certificate of title is current and in the donor's possession. If a lien or security interest is recorded against the vehicle, the lienholder must release the lien before the transfer can proceed. The donor may contact the lienholder to obtain a Release of Security Interest or Lien Form (MV37A).
Step 2: Prepare the title transfer.
The donor must complete the assignment section on the reverse of the title. All fields must be completed in blue or black ink only. Correction fluid (white-out) or erasures void the title. The donor's name must match exactly as printed on the title face. The donor must sign and print their name in the appropriate spaces.
Step 3: Obtain an odometer disclosure statement if required.
For vehicles less than 10 years old and weighing less than 16,000 pounds, the donor completes the odometer section on the title or uses the official statement form (MV90A). The donor records the current mileage, certifies its accuracy or notes if it exceeds mechanical limits, signs, and prints their name. The recipient then signs and acknowledges receipt of the disclosure statement.
Step 4: Complete the bill of sale (if applicable).
While a bill of sale is not required for a gift transfer when a current title exists, a Bill of Sale Form (MV24) may document the transaction. On the bill of sale, the donor records a sale price of zero dollars, the donor's name and address, the recipient's name and address, the vehicle identification number, year, make, and model. Both the donor and recipient sign and print their names.
Step 5: Remove the license plates.
The donor removes both front and back license plates from the vehicle before delivery to the recipient.
Step 6: Obtain liability insurance.
Before the recipient can register the vehicle, liability insurance must be in place. Montana requires a minimum of $25,000 in bodily injury coverage per person and $50,000 in bodily injury coverage for all persons injured in one accident. The recipient should contact an insurance provider and obtain proof of coverage before visiting the county treasurer's office.
Step 7: Submit the title transfer and register at the county treasurer's office.
The recipient visits the county treasurer's office in the county where they reside. The recipient presents the donor's signed title, the Application for Certificate of Title (MV1), the bill of sale (if completed), the odometer disclosure statement (if required), and proof of liability insurance. The county treasurer completes the application, collects applicable fees and taxes, and issues new license plates and a certificate of title in the recipient's name.
Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Montana
The following documents are required to complete a motor vehicle gift transfer in Montana:
- The current certificate of title, properly signed and dated by all owners
- The Application for Certificate of Title (MV1)
- A completed Bill of Sale (MV24) if the title is unavailable or the transfer is electronically recorded
- The Odometer Disclosure Statement (MV90A) if the vehicle is less than 10 years old and under 16,000 pounds
- Proof of Montana liability insurance issued in the recipient's name
- A form of identification for the recipient (driver's license, tribal identification, or corporate identification)
If the vehicle has a lien or security interest, the release of security interest or lien form (MV37A from the lienholder must also be submitted.
Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Montana
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title Application Fee (Light Vehicles under 1 ton) | $12.36 | Includes 3% administrative fee per section 61-3-111 |
| Title Application Fee (All Other Vehicles) | $10.30 | Includes 3% administrative fee |
| Registration Fee (Light Vehicle, 0-4 years old) | $217 | Annual or one-time, depending on registration choice |
| Registration Fee (Light Vehicle, 5-10 years old) | $87 | Annual or one-time, depending on registration choice |
| Registration Fee (Light Vehicle, 11+ years old) | $28 | Annual or one-time; permanent registration available |
| New License Plate Fee | $12 | Applies when new plates are issued; waived if plates transferred under section 61-3-335 |
| County Option Tax | Varies | Based on manufacturer's suggested retail price and vehicle age |
| State Parks & Recreation Fee | $9 | Optional; recipient may opt out at registration |
| State Highway Patrol Fee | $10 | Collected with each registration |
Montana imposes no state sales or use tax on vehicles registered in the state. Title fees, registration fees, and county option taxes apply, but no sales tax is assessed on the gift transfer. The recipient may also choose permanent registration for vehicles 11 years old or older, paying the one-time registration fee plus five times the local option motor vehicle tax to eliminate future renewal requirements.
Contact Information
Montana Motor Vehicle Division
302 North Roberts Street, Helena, MT 59601
Phone: (406) 444-3933
Official Website: Montana Motor Vehicle Division
