If you and another person are listed on a vehicle title, both of you must sign the vehicle's title to transfer ownership to the dealership. You must have your joint co-owner's permission to trade the vehicle in toward another purchase. Dealers must follow state motor vehicle requirements for title transfers, and owner authorization is required.
Dealership Requirements
Your vehicle co-owner must come to the dealership to sign in front of a dealer representative. Even in states that require notarized signatures, owners must still sign at the dealer, as only one area is dedicated for a Notary to sign. Don't ask the co-owner to sign his portion of the title before you arrive at the dealer, as the dealer can't confirm that the owner signed for himself. If the co-owner doesn't want to visit the dealership, you can have him sign his portion of the title and go to a motor vehicle office to transfer the title into your name only. This way, you can offer the dealer a proper title that only you'll have to sign.
Out of State Joint Owner Consideration
If the co-owner lives out of state and can't come to the dealership, your dealer may work with you to get the title signed. If so, your dealer will mail any required paperwork to your joint owner for proper signatures. Before the dealer does this, it will confirm the co-owner's identity by obtaining personal and driver's license information to keep on file in case problems arise. The dealer will likely require a notarized form from the joint owner to validate authorization.
Title Holding States
A title holding state is one that doesn't send a vehicle title to the registered owner until the vehicle's lien has been satisfied; the title goes to the lender instead. If you live in a title holding state, you and your co-owner will have to sign paperwork other than the title that allows the dealer to pay off the vehicle's loan and transfer ownership on your behalf. Expect to complete a Power of Attorney form with the dealership. This form authorizes the dealer to transfer the vehicle's title without you or or your co-owner once it receives the title from the lien holder.
New Vehicle Purchase
If you're curious at to whether trading a vehicle with your co-owner requires you to also co-own the vehicle you purchase, the answer is no. Once the co-owner signs his portion of the title, he is no longer a part of your car deal. You can purchase the car in cash or finance it in your own name. States vary on registration rules, but you can expect to purchase new plates if the prior vehicle's registration was only in the co-owner's name. You can't transfer plates unless your name was on the previous registration.
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