How to Gift a Car in Missouri in 2026
Gifting a motor vehicle in Missouri entails transferring ownership from one party to another without consideration of value. The donor must assign the vehicle's certificate of title to the recipient and provide required documentation. The recipient then applies for a new title through the Missouri Department of Revenue.
How Does Gifting a Car in Missouri Work?
In Missouri, a motor vehicle gift is processed through the state's centralized title and registration system, administered by the Missouri Department of Revenue. Ownership transfer begins when the current owner assigns the vehicle's title to the recipient. The owner must write the word "GIFT" in the sale price area of the title assignment and provide a completed General Affidavit (Form 768) or a written statement confirming the vehicle was given as a gift. The recipient then presents the assigned title, the affidavit, and supporting documents to a Missouri license office to apply for a new title and register the vehicle. The title application initiates both titling and registration processes. Unlike sales transactions, gift transfers do not result in a state or local sales tax obligation when proper documentation is submitted.
The donor must report the gift transfer to the Missouri Department of Revenue within 30 days by submitting either a Notice of Sale or Transfer (Form 5049) or Bill of Sale (Form 1957), with the transaction identified as a gift. This notification requirement protects the donor from liability associated with subsequent use of the vehicle. Once the recipient titles the vehicle, the recipient becomes the registered owner and is responsible for all future registration renewal obligations.
Missouri Car Gifting Rules You Should Know
Title Status
Missouri requires a certificate of title for all motor vehicles and trailers. The title serves as proof of ownership and contains the vehicle identification number, owner information, and any liens. The donor must provide the properly assigned certificate of title to the recipient at the time of the gift transfer. The assignment must include all required information and signatures. If the vehicle is subject to a lien or loan, the lienholder information appears on the title, and the lien remains in effect unless released.
When multiple owners are listed on the title, all owners must sign the title assignment. Owners must sign their names exactly as they appear on the face of the title. No correction fluid or erasure marks are permitted on the title. The recipient's name must match precisely on all application documents. Discrepancies between the names on the title assignment and the title application can delay processing.
License Plates
The donor must remove the vehicle's license plates before delivering the vehicle to the recipient. Both valid and expired plates must be removed. The license plates remain the property of the state and may be transferred only under specific circumstances. The donor may transfer plates from the vehicle being gifted to another vehicle already owned, subject to a $2 transfer fee, provided both vehicles are currently registered. The operation of a motor vehicle with transferred plates is lawful for no more than 30 days while the recipient completes the titling and registration process.
The recipient cannot use or transfer the license plates that were on the vehicle at the time of the gift. New license plates are issued to the recipient upon completion of the registration application at a Missouri license office. The recipient must obtain new registration and associated plates during the title application process.
Taxes and Fees
Gift transfers in Missouri are exempt from state and local sales tax when the recipient presents a completed gift affidavit or written gift statement along with title and registration documents. This tax exemption applies only to true gifts where no consideration is exchanged. If any value or consideration is given in return, the transaction may be reclassified as a sale and subject to the state tax rate of 4.225% plus applicable local sales taxes.
The title fee is $8.50, and the processing fee is $9.00. Registration fees for passenger vehicles are determined by the vehicle's taxable horsepower and range from $18.25 for vehicles under 12 horsepower to $51.25 for vehicles with 72 horsepower or greater for one-year registration. A $9.00 processing fee applies to all registrations. If the recipient resides in St. Louis City or Jefferson, St. Charles, or St. Louis County, a safety inspection certificate (not more than 60 days old) and an emissions inspection certificate (not more than 60 days old) are required before registration can be completed.
Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Missouri
Step 1: Prepare the Title Assignment
The donor must sign the back of the certificate of title in the seller's section. All owners listed on the face of the title must sign and print their names exactly as they appear on the title. The donor must enter the word "GIFT" in the sale price area of the title assignment. The gift's date must be recorded. The donor must write in the odometer reading and check any applicable boxes regarding odometer discrepancies. The donor should not use a sale price of $1.00; instead, the word "GIFT" should be the only entry in the sale price field.
Step 2: Complete Required Affidavits and Statements
The donor must complete a General Affidavit (Form 768) or prepare a written statement indicating that the vehicle was given as a gift. The statement does not require notarization. The form or statement must be signed by the donor. If the vehicle is subject to a lien, the donor must obtain a notarized Lien Release (Form 4809) from the lienholder, which must be provided to the recipient.
Step 3: Obtain Required Inspections
The donor must ensure the vehicle has a valid safety inspection certificate dated no more than 60 days before the gift transfer. If the recipient will reside in St. Louis City or Jefferson, St. Charles, or St. Louis County, an emissions inspection certificate dated no more than 60 days before the transfer is also required. If the recipient is an out-of-state resident, the recipient's state inspection requirements apply. Even model-year vehicles must be inspected in even calendar years; odd model-year vehicles must be inspected in odd calendar years. Model year 2014 and newer vehicles with fewer than 150,000 miles are exempt from the safety inspection requirement for the first ten years following the model year.
Step 4: Report the Gift to the Department of Revenue
Within 30 days of the gift transfer, the donor must submit either a completed Notice of Sale or Transfer (Form 5049) or Bill of Sale (Form 1957) to the Missouri Department of Revenue. Both forms must be signed by both the donor and the recipient. The form should be mailed to the Motor Vehicle Bureau at PO Box 2046, Jefferson City, MO 65105-0100. The form serves as notification to the state that the transfer has occurred and protects the donor from liability.
Step 5: Recipient Applies for Title and Registration
The recipient must visit a Missouri license office or submit documents by mail to apply for a new title and register the vehicle. The recipient must submit the assigned certificate of title, the completed General Affidavit (Form 768) or written gift statement, the Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108), proof of safety inspection, proof of emissions inspection (if required), and an Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 3019) if applicable. The recipient must include proof of liability insurance or other proof of financial responsibility.
The recipient must pay the $8.50 title fee, the $9.00 processing fee, and the applicable registration fee based on the vehicle's taxable horsepower. No state or local sales tax is collected if the gift affidavit is presented. The Missouri Department of Revenue will issue a new certificate of title to the recipient. Processing typically takes a reasonable amount of time, depending on the completeness of the application; expedited processing may not be available for gift transfers.
Step 6: Receive New Title and License Plates
Once the application is processed and approved, the recipient receives a new certificate of title in the recipient's name and new license plates. The recipient may apply for a temporary permit (30-day tag) for $5.00 plus a $9.00 processing fee at a license office while awaiting the issuance of permanent plates, though such permits may no longer be available under new legislation effective by 2027.
Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Missouri
| Document | Requirement | Official Resource |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate of Title | Original, properly assigned with "GIFT" in sale price area and all owner signatures | Title Instructions |
| General Affidavit (Form 768) | Completed and signed by donor indicating vehicle gifted | Form 768 |
| Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108) | Completed and signed by recipient | Form 108 |
| Safety Inspection Certificate | Not more than 60 days old (exemptions apply for new vehicles under 150,000 miles) | Vehicle Safety Inspection |
| Emissions Inspection Certificate | Not more than 60 days old if recipient resides in St. Louis City or Jefferson, St. Charles, or St. Louis County | Gateway Vehicle Inspection Program |
| Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 3019) | Required if vehicle is model year 2011 or newer and less than 20 years old | Form 3019 |
| Lien Release (Form 4809) | Notarized, if applicable | Form 4809 |
| Proof of Liability Insurance | Current insurance identification card or proof of financial responsibility | Insurance Requirements |
| Notice of Sale or Transfer (Form 5049) | Completed and signed by both donor and recipient within 30 days of gift | Form 5049 |
Additional documentation may be requested by the Missouri Department of Revenue at the time of titling. If the certificate of title was issued after August 28, 1989, the odometer disclosure must be recorded on the back of the title rather than on a separate form.
Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Missouri
| Fee or Tax | Amount | Applicability |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fee | $8.50 | All title applications |
| Title Processing Fee | $9.00 | All title applications |
| Registration Fee (Passenger Vehicle, Under 12 HP or Electric) | $18.25 (1-year) or $36.50 (2-year) | Varies by horsepower |
| Registration Fee | Varies | Varies by horsepower |
| Registration Processing Fee | $9.00 (1-year) or $18.00 (2-year) | All registrations |
| Sales Tax | 0% (exempt with gift affidavit) | Gift transfers only; state rate 4.225% plus local tax applies to non-gift transfers |
| Temporary Permit (30-day tag) | $5.00 permit plus $9.00 processing | Optional pending legislative changes |
| License Plate Transfer Fee | $2.00 | If transferring existing plates to another vehicle |
The recipient is responsible for all fees and taxes at the time of title application. The state tax rate of 4.225% plus applicable local sales taxes applies only to non-gift transfers or gifts where consideration is exchanged. Gift transfers where the recipient presents a completed affidavit and the transaction qualifies as a true gift are exempt from sales tax. Registration fees vary based on the vehicle's taxable horsepower and the selected registration term (one year or two years).
Contact Information
Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Bureau
301 West High Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101
Phone: (573) 526-3669
Official Website: Missouri Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Titling & Registration
