​A certificate of title is proof of vehicle ownership. To transfer the ownership of a titled vehicle, the seller and buyer must record the transfer on the title and the buyer must complete the application portion of the title and surrender the completed document by mail to DVS or in person at a deputy registrar's office. 

Current Minnesota titles have a Minnesota Motor Vehicle Registration Card and a Recorded Owner(s) Record of Sale. When the vehicle is sold, the seller should complete and remove the The Recorded Owner(s) Record of Sale stub from the title. The seller is required to report the sale of the vehicle by mailing the stub to DVS or by filing a report of sale online. 

Minnesota laws requires that every motor vehicle be titled except the following:

• Vehicles owned by the United States government, unless they are registered in this state

• Vehicles used by a manufacturer solely for testing

• A vehicle owned by a non-resident, not required by law to be registered in this state

• A vehicle regularly engaged in the interstate transportation of persons or property for which a currently effective Certificate of Title has been issued in another state

• A vehicle moved solely by animal power

• An implement of husbandry

• Special mobile equipment, as defined by Minnesota statute 168.002, subd. 31
  
• A self-propelled wheel chair or invalid tricycle

• A trailer having a gross weight of 4,000 pounds or less

• A trailer designed primarily for agricultural purposes with a gross weight of less than 10,000 pounds

• ATV’s, snowmobiles, and off-road vehicles, as defined in Minnesota statutes

• Clearly marked municipal fire apparatus, police patrol cars, ambulances, and ambulances owned by ambulance services licensed under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 144.802.

Title Brands

​Flood Vehicle

​Flood title brand "FLOOD DAMAGED" appears when the application for title indicates that the vehicle has been classified as a loss by an insurance company because of flood or water damage, or a foreign state title is surrendered with a brand or notation indicating flood or water damage.

Lemon Law Vehicle

Lemon Law title brand appears for any vehicle subject to Minnesota's Lemon Law (Minnesota Statute 325F.665) or when a foreign state title is surrendered that bears the term "lemon law vehicle" or any similar term.

Prior Salvage Vehicle

Prior Salvage title brand appears on titles of vehicles when the salvage status of the vehicle is cleared. The brand is permanent and will appear on all subsequent titles issued. Motorcycles and commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight 16,000 pounds or over are exempt from salvage branding.

Reconstructed Vehicle

Reconstructed title brand "RECONST" appears on the title of a vehicle that has been altered from it's original construction by the removal, addition, or substitution of essential parts.  The brand is permanent and will appear on all subsequent titles issued.

Rebuilt Vehicle

Rebuilt title brand appears on the title when it is disclosed that the vehicle has sustained damage in excess of 80 percent and the "Prior Salvage" brand does not apply. The brand is permanent and will appear on all subsequent titles issued.