How to Gift a Car in Kansas in 2026
Gifting a motor vehicle in Kansas follows the state's standard title and registration procedures, with certain exceptions for specific relationships and vehicle ages. The process involves completing the title assignment, providing appropriate supporting documentation, and submitting the application through the local county treasurer's office rather than directly to the state division.
How Does Gifting a Car in Kansas Work?
Vehicles gifted in Kansas require ownership transfers by assigning the existing certificate of title or, in limited circumstances, by a bill of sale accompanied by an affidavit. Unlike the sale of a vehicle between unrelated parties, a gift requires completion of specific forms that document the transfer without consideration. The recipient applies for a new Kansas title and registration through the local county treasurer's motor vehicle office in the county where the vehicle will be garaged.
If the recipient intends to operate the vehicle on public roads, the vehicle must meet all registration requirements, including proof of liability insurance and registration within 60 days of acquisition. Property taxes based on the vehicle's assessed value may be assessed at the time of registration.
Kansas Car Gifting Rules You Should Know
Title Status
A vehicle must have a certificate of title to be registered and operated on Kansas highways. Under K.S.A. 8-135, no vehicle required to be registered shall be registered, nor any license plate issued, without satisfactory evidence of ownership and application for an original certificate of title. Kansas law exempts certain vehicles from the titling requirement. For vehicles 10 or more years old, odometer disclosure certification may be waived from the title form, though the vehicle must still be titled in Kansas. Only antique vehicles (35 years or older) can be transferred primarily on a bill of sale without a prior title.
If the vehicle does not carry a Kansas title, the recipient must obtain a motor vehicle examination from the Kansas Highway Patrol before applying for a Kansas title. This applies to vehicles previously titled in another state, vehicles purchased on a bill of sale from out-of-state sellers, and certain other circumstances. The inspecting officer issues an MVE-1 receipt on a pink form that is then submitted with the title application.
License Plates
When a vehicle's ownership transfers, the current owner must remove the existing license plate from the vehicle. The previous owner may transfer the plate to another vehicle registered in their name upon payment of a $1.50 plate transfer fee, provided the new vehicle does not require a higher registration fee. If the new vehicle requires higher registration fees, the difference between the current and new fees must be paid.
The recipient should not attach the existing plate to the gifted vehicle. Instead, once the county treasurer's office processes the title and registration application, a new registration receipt and license plate will be issued.
Taxes and Fees
A genuine gift in Kansas is not treated as a taxable sale and, therefore, is generally exempt from sales tax based on the purchase price. However, the recipient may be liable for property taxes assessed on the vehicle's value. Kansas assesses motor vehicle property tax using a statutory assessment rate applied to the estimated market value. The county license office collects applicable taxes and fees when registration is completed.
Step-By-Step Process To Gift a Car in Kansas
Step 1: Determine the appropriate gift transfer form.
If the recipient is a relative of the donor (lineal ascendant or descendant such as a parent, child, grandchild, or spouse), complete the Affidavit of Relationship (Form TR-215). Both the donor and recipient must sign this form, certifying the family relationship. If the recipient is not a relative, complete the Vehicle Gift Certification portion of the Affidavit to a Fact (Form TR-12). If the title assignment has a space for purchase price, write "gift" in that space instead of a dollar amount.
Step 2: Complete the title assignment.
The donor signs the back of the vehicle's title in the assignment section. The title must be signed exactly as the donor's name appears on the front of the title. Do not provide the recipient's printed name and signature on the assignment at this time; the recipient will complete their portion when submitting the application at the county treasurer's office. If the donor holds a power of attorney authorizing another person to execute the assignment, a Power of Attorney (Form TR-41), or Power of Attorney and Odometer Disclosure for Electronic Title (Form TR-40), should be completed and signed by the donor and the authorized representative.
Step 3: Record the odometer reading.
Complete the Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TR-59) with the current mileage, or indicate if mileage is in excess of mechanical limits or if there is a discrepancy. Both the donor and recipient should sign this form. The original is attached to the title; both parties retain copies.
Step 4: Verify insurance and remove the license plate.
Before registering, the recipient must obtain liability insurance for the vehicle. The donor should remove the current license plate from the vehicle and retain it if they wish to transfer it to another vehicle.
Step 5: Obtain an inspection if required.
If the vehicle was previously titled in another state, was purchased on an out-of-state bill of sale, or meets other criteria requiring inspection, the recipient must take the vehicle to a Kansas Highway Patrol motor vehicle inspection station and obtain an MVE-1 receipt. If the vehicle is a Kansas-titled vehicle being gifted to a Kansas resident, an inspection is not required. The inspection costs $20.00 for regular inspections, and the fee is collected by the county treasurer when the title application is processed.
Step 6: Apply for title and registration at the county treasurer's office.
The recipient visits the county treasurer's motor vehicle office in the county where the vehicle will be garaged and submits the assigned title, completed gift certification or affidavit of relationship form, odometer disclosure statement (if not already attached to the title), proof of liability insurance, and the pink copy of the MVE-1 (if applicable). The county office will process the application, collect applicable fees and taxes, issue a new title, and provide a registration receipt and new license plate. Registration must be completed within 60 days of the gift transfer (the date the title was assigned) to avoid a $2 penalty.
Documents Needed for Gifting a Car in Kansas
The following documents are typically required when gifting a vehicle in Kansas:
- The current certificate of title, properly assigned by the donor, with the purchase price space marked "gift" if such a space exists
- Affidavit of Relationship (Form TR-215), if the donor and recipient are related (lineal ascendants or descendants)
- Vehicle Gift Certification portion of Affidavit to a Fact (Form TR-12), if the recipient is not a relative
- Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form TR-59), signed by both donor and recipient, showing the current mileage
- Proof of liability insurance for the recipient that includes the vehicle year, make, model, VIN, and policy information
- Motor Vehicle Examination receipt (pink copy of MVE-1), if the vehicle requires inspection (e.g., out-of-state titled vehicles or vehicles transferred on bill of sale)
- Any power of attorney forms if someone other than the owner will execute the assignment
For vehicles that do not carry a Kansas title and for which no bill of sale is available, the recipient may be required to provide additional ownership documentation accepted by the Division of Vehicles or may need to pursue a quiet title action through the district court.
Applicable Fees and Taxes When Gifting a Car in Kansas
| Fee Type | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Title Fee | $10.00 | Required for new title issuance |
| Plate Transfer Fee | $1.50 | When transferring existing plate |
| County Facility Fee | ~$5.00 | Varies by county |
| Lienholder Fee | $1.50 | If applicable |
| Motor Vehicle Examination (MVE-1) | $20.00 (regular); $25.00 (salvage) | For out-of-state titled or bill of sale vehicles |
When the recipient registers the vehicle, Kansas collects motor vehicle registration fees. These fees are based on the vehicle's type and weight. The Kansas Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division publishes the current registration fee schedule, which is updated annually.
Because a gift is not treated as a sale, it is generally exempt from sales tax. However, motor vehicle property tax is assessed based on the vehicle's estimated market value multiplied by the statutory assessment rate. Property tax must be paid at the time of registration unless the recipient is applying for a temporary plate.
The Kansas Department of Revenue provides a vehicle property tax calculator to allow individuals to estimate property taxes based on the vehicle's make, model, year, or VIN.
Contact Information
Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles - Titles and Registrations
Zibell Building, 300 SW 29th Street, Topeka, KS 66611
Phone: (785) 296-3621
Official Website: Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles
