Montana Title — Private Party Purchase
Use these steps when you bought a vehicle from a private seller and the vehicle has a Montana title.
1. Complete the front of the title
The seller completes the section marked "SELLER COMPLETES IN INK." Read carefully where the seller's name goes and where the buyer's name goes.
- The seller signs where it says "ALL OWNERS MUST SIGN," then prints their name in the matching section. If there is more than one owner, all owners must sign.
- A notary is no longer required. Even if the title has a notary block, sellers do not need to have their signatures notarized.
- If the vehicle has an odometer and is a 2011 or newer model, the "Acknowledgement of Mileage Disclosure" must be completed.
- The buyer signs and prints their name in the section marked "BUYER," acknowledging the mileage.
2. Complete the back of the title (Section D: Title Application)
Section D is the only section that needs to be completed.
- If there is no lienholder, write "NONE" where indicated.
- If there is a lien, fill in the "First Secured Party" information, and the "Second Secured Party" section if it applies.
- Print the primary purchaser's name on the line labeled "Printed or typed name of purchaser/owner/business (1)." If there is a second purchaser, print their name on line (2).
- Fill in the mailing and residential address for purchaser 1, and for purchaser 2 if applicable.
- On the line labeled "Legal Signature of Purchaser/Owner," only one owner needs to sign in ink.
- Next to the signature, complete the "DL/FEIN/Tribal ID/Corp ID" field for each purchaser. DL is your driver's license number; FEIN is the tax ID number for businesses.
- Enter the date above the "Date" designation.
3. Prepare payment and choose your plate
See Fees and Payment and Plate Options below.
4. Submit your title work
See How to Submit Your Title Work below.
Out-of-State Title — Private Party Purchase
Use these steps when you bought a vehicle from a private seller and the vehicle has a title from another state.
1. Complete the out-of-state title
Follow the selling state's requirements, including any notarization that state requires.
2. Complete the state application form
You will also need to complete the appropriate State of Montana application form. Both forms and the state's Title Manual are available on the Montana motor vehicle forms and manuals pageOpens in a new tab..
For motor vehicles, including motorcycles, quadricycles, and trailers: Form MV1, Application for Certificate of Title for a Motor Vehicle. The state form has five sections:
- Section 1 — Applicant Information
- Section 2 — Vehicle Information
- Section 3 — Security Interest / Lien Information
- Section 4 — Dealer Use Only - If you and the seller need to acknowledge the odometer for a 2011 or newer you can do it on a separate MV90 Odometer Disclosure form or on the physical title.
- Section 5 — Applicant's Acknowledgement
For step-by-step help completing the MV1, see the State of Montana's Title Manual. Search "MT Title Manual" on the forms page above, then find the section "Form MV1, Application for a Montana Title — How to Complete."
For vessels (watercraft): Form MV1A, Application for Certificate of Title for a Vessel. The state form has five sections:
- Section A — Applicant Information
- Section B — Watercraft Information
- Section C — Security Interest / Lien Information
- Section D — For dealer use only
- Section E — Applicant's Acknowledgement
For step-by-step help completing the MV1A, see the State of Montana's Title Manual and find the section "Form MV1A, Application for Vessel Title — How to Complete."
3. Prepare payment and choose your plate
See Fees and Payment and Plate Options below.
4. Submit your title work
See How to Submit Your Title Work below.
Dealer Purchase
Montana dealer purchase
By state law, Montana dealers send all title work directly to the county treasurer. You do not need to bring the paperwork yourself.
- Check whether your title work has arrived using the Title Paperwork Status Search. If a date appears, your title work is in our office and you can come in to process it.
- We will notify you by mail or email when your title work arrives, along with anything else we need from you.
- If we have your email address and your title work is complete, we will email you a secure link to choose your plate, pay, and finish your title work online.
Out-of-state dealer purchase
Contact your dealer to find out how your title work is being sent to the county treasurer. If the dealer is mailing it to us, you can use the Title Paperwork Status Search to check whether it has arrived.
How to Submit Your Title Work
There are three ways to submit title work. For all methods, include your completed application, the original vehicle title (not a copy), your plate style, and payment.
Mail It In
Department of Motor Vehicles
290 A North Main
Kalispell, MT 59901
Drop It Off
Use the drop box next to the information window at the address above. Envelopes are available at the box.
Pull a Number
Visit in person. Numbers are in the dispenser next to the information window at the address above.
Fees and Payment
Pay by personal check, money order, or cashier's check made out to Flathead County Treasurer (or FCT). Debit and credit cards are accepted, with a 3% convenience fee on any card transaction.
If we mail your items back to you, a postage fee applies in addition to your other fees: $1.00 for registration items, or $6.10 for registration items and plates.
Plate Options
If you want to choose a plate, include your plate choice on a separate sheet of paper with your title work.
- Standard plates have no annual fee.
- Organizational and sponsor plates have an annual fee.
- To use an existing plate, it must already be registered in the name going onto the new vehicle as owner, and be less than 5 years old.
- Fees for personalized plates vary.
To browse all available plates, use the state's License Plate LookupOpens in a new tab..