How to Gift a Car in Wyoming in 2026

Motor vehicle gifts in Wyoming transfer ownership from one person to another without the exchange of monetary consideration. The donor must assign and warrant the vehicle title to the recipient by notarizing the title document, and the recipient must apply for a new certificate of title at the county clerk's office in their county of residence.

How Does Gifting a Car in Wyoming Work?

When a motor vehicle is gifted in Wyoming, the donor executes an assignment and warranty of title on the back of the certificate of title, identifying the recipient and the gift nature of the transfer. The donor must include the vehicle's current odometer reading and provide appropriate certification regarding the mileage. Critically, the donor's signature on the title assignment must be notarized before the title is delivered to the recipient.

Upon receipt of the notarized title, the recipient applies for a new certificate of title at the county clerk's office in the county where the recipient resides. The recipient completes the Application for Certificate of Title and VIN/HIN Inspection Form (MV-300A) and submits the notarized title along with applicable fees and tax documentation. The county clerk processes the application and issues a new title in the recipient's name.

The recipient may operate the vehicle on Wyoming public roads during a grace period without formal registration. A properly executed title allows the recipient 45 days of operation before registration is required. However, if the vehicle title is held by a lending institution or auto auction, a properly formatted bill of sale permits up to 60 days of operation. If formal registration is desired immediately, the recipient must comply with the county treasurer's vehicle registration requirements, including payment of registration fees based on the vehicle's factory price and year of service.

Wyoming Car Gifting Rules You Should Know

Title Status

Following Wyoming Statutes Title 31, every motor vehicle operated on Wyoming highways must be titled, except for vehicles owned by the United States government and implements of husbandry. Wyoming requires that applications for a new certificate of title be completed by the transferee within specific timeframes.

If the vehicle already has a Wyoming certificate of title, the donor must provide this title to the recipient, properly signed and notarized. If the vehicle has a title from another state, the recipient must submit that out-of-state title along with proof of a successful VIN inspection conducted by Wyoming law enforcement or a licensed dealer and may need to provide additional documentation of ownership. If no title exists, the recipient may apply for a certificate of title using the Affidavit of Vehicle Ownership (MV-147), though this process requires submission of bond documentation and extensive proof of ownership efforts.

License Plates

When a vehicle is transferred, the donor must remove existing license plates from the vehicle. Wyoming allows the original owner to transfer registration plates to another vehicle owned by the same person within 60 days of acquiring a replacement vehicle, provided the replacement qualifies for the same registration classification. A recipient of a gifted vehicle cannot use the donor's plates and must either apply for new plates or, if the recipient previously owned another vehicle, may request a transfer of those retained plates to the newly titled vehicle.

Standard license plates and vehicle registrations are obtained through the local county treasurer in the county seat of the county of residence. The recipient must register the vehicle before regular operation, though a 45-day grace period applies when a properly executed title is presented, and the vehicle is operated without formal registration.

Taxes and Fees

Wyoming has implemented a family member vehicle transfer exemption from state sales and excise taxes, effective July 1, 2026. Vehicle transfers between immediate family members—defined to include spouses, children, parents, and siblings—are exempt from Wyoming sales or excise tax, provided the vehicle meets residency and prior tax payment requirements.

For gifts that do not qualify for the family exemption, Wyoming imposes a sales or excise tax based on the vehicle's factory price or fair market value. County treasurers collect this tax as a prerequisite to vehicle registration. Gifts of vehicles between non-family members remain subject to Wyoming's standard excise tax system.

Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Wyoming

Step 1: Obtain the vehicle's current title.

The donor must locate and review the existing certificate of title to confirm ownership, identify any liens or encumbrances, and verify that the title is free of defects or discrepancies. If the title is missing, damaged, or from another state, additional steps may be required before the gift transfer can proceed.

Step 2: Record the odometer reading and complete mileage certification.

The donor must record the vehicle's current odometer reading at the exact time of transfer. The donor prepares the odometer statement and certification, indicating whether the reading represents actual mileage, exceeds mechanical limits, or differs from actual mileage. This certification must be included on the back of the title or on the application form.

Step 3: Execute and notarize the title assignment.

The donor signs the assignment section on the back of the certificate of title, printing their name and providing the recipient's name and address. The donor must present the title and sign the assignment in the presence of a notary public. The notary witnesses the signature, affixes the notary seal, and confirms the date and expiration of the notary commission on the title document.

Step 4: Deliver the notarized title and vehicle to the recipient.

The donor transfers physical possession of the vehicle to the recipient and delivers the original, notarized certificate of title. The parties should document that the transfer is a gift, with no money or property exchanged, particularly if they wish to claim tax exemptions for family-member transfers.

Step 5: Recipient verifies VIN and prepares for title application.

If the vehicle has an out-of-state title or requires VIN verification, the recipient arranges for a VIN inspection by a Wyoming law enforcement officer or licensed dealer. The law enforcement officer completes the VIN verification form (MV-300A), confirming that the vehicle identification number matches the vehicle and that it has not been reported stolen.

Step 6: Recipient completes the title application.

The recipient obtains the Application for Certificate of Title and VIN/HIN Inspection Form (MV-300A) from the county clerk's office or the Wyoming Department of Transportation website. The recipient completes all required sections, including their name, address, vehicle description, and factored price information. The recipient must indicate on the application whether the transfer qualifies as a gift or family transfer exempt from excise tax.

Step 7: Recipient submits application and documents to county clerk.

The recipient visits the county clerk's office in the county of residence and submits the completed application, notarized title, VIN inspection form (if applicable), proof of tax payment or tax exemption, and payment of applicable fees. The county clerk examines the application and documents to verify ownership, verify that the ownership name matches, check for liens, and confirm tax compliance.

Step 8: County clerk issues new certificate of title.

Upon satisfactory review and payment of fees, the county clerk issues a new certificate of title in the recipient's name. The title is prima facie evidence of ownership and is valid for the vehicle so long as the recipient owns it.

Step 9: Recipient obtains registration if desired.

The recipient may operate the vehicle for 45 days with the properly executed title without formal registration. If registration is desired prior to the 45-day grace period, the recipient visits the county treasurer's office, pays the applicable registration fees calculated by the county based on the vehicle's factory price and year of service, and receives license plates and a registration card.

Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Wyoming

The following documents are required to complete a gift transfer in Wyoming:

• Original Wyoming certificate of title, signed and notarized by the donor in the assignment section
• If the vehicle has an out-of-state title: VIN Inspection Form completed by law enforcement or licensed dealer
• Application for Certificate of Title and VIN/HIN Inspection Form (MV-300A) completed by recipient
• Odometer reading statement and certification (included on title or separate form)
• Affidavit of Vehicle Ownership (MV-147) if the vehicle has no existing title
• Proof of tax payment or county treasurer receipt noting exemption from excise tax (required for title issuance)
• Surety bond documentation if the vehicle value exceeds $2,500 and no original title exists
• Valid government-issued identification (driver's license or state ID) of recipient
• Lien release documents from any lienholder (if applicable)

Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Wyoming

The cost of gifting a vehicle in Wyoming includes title application fees, inspection fees if applicable, registration fees, and applicable taxes. The title application fee is $15 for most vehicles. If the vehicle requires a VIN inspection, the inspection fee is $10. A duplicate title costs $15 if the original title is lost or damaged.

Wyoming offers a family-member vehicle transfer exemption from sales and excise taxes, effective July 1, 2026. Transfers between immediate family members, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, are exempt from Wyoming sales and excise tax, provided the transferor previously paid tax on the vehicle when first titled in Wyoming and the transfer qualifies under state law. Documentation of family relationships may be required by the county treasurer.

Registration fees are calculated based on the vehicle's factory price and year of service using a formula established by Wyoming law and adjusted effective July 1, 2026. For vehicles in their first through fifth years of service, county treasurers apply tiered percentages of the factory price (60%, 50%, 40%, 30%, or 20%). For vehicles in their sixth year of service and thereafter, registration fees are calculated at 3% of 15% of the factory price plus special equipment value. Effective July 1, 2026, vehicles in their seventh year of service are assessed at 3% of 10% of the factory price, and vehicles in their eighth year and thereafter are assessed at 3% of 5% of the factory price. Registration fees vary by county and vehicle type and should be confirmed with the specific county treasurer's office. Most passenger vehicles pay an annual registration fee based on a percentage of the factory price adjusted for the year of service.

Contact Information

Wyoming Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Services
5300 Bishop Boulevard, Cheyenne, WY 82009
Phone: (307) 777-4709
Official Website: Wyoming Department of Transportation