How to Sell a Car Privately in Mississippi
Selling your car yourself in Mississippi comes down to a signed title, the right paperwork, and a few steps people often miss. This guide summarizes what the Mississippi Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Services and state law say, so you and the buyer can finish the transfer cleanly.
Transferring the title
- The seller must fill out all sections of the title assignment except the buyer's printed name and signature. dor.ms.gov
- Leaving the buyer's name blank to complete later is a violation of Mississippi law, and an incomplete or improperly assigned title should not be accepted or delivered. dor.ms.gov
- If the buyer and seller are a spouse, child, parent, grandchild, grandparent or sibling, an Affidavit of Relationship is completed. dor.ms.gov
- The buyer applies for the title at the county Tax Collector's office, and the title fee is $9.00. dor.ms.gov
- If a title has joint owners with survivorship, both signatures are required when both owners are living. sos.ms.gov
- The seller should keep a copy of the front and back of the signed title. dor.ms.gov
License plates
- The seller removes the license plate after assigning the title and handing over the vehicle. dor.ms.gov
- The seller surrenders the plate to the county Tax Collector, and plates cannot transfer to a new vehicle because the tag is tied to both the vehicle and the owner. dor.ms.gov
- The buyer must register within 30 business days of purchase, and has 48 hours to transport a vehicle bought outside the home county to the home county. dor.ms.gov
- Temporary drive-out tags come from dealers and do not apply to private sales. dor.ms.gov
Taxes and fees the buyer pays
- A buyer who purchases from an individual pays sales tax at 5 percent of the net price after trade-ins. dor.ms.gov
- The casual sales tax is based on the true value of the vehicle and is paid by the buyer to the county Tax Collector when the vehicle is registered. sos.ms.gov
- Transfers between husband and wife, between parent and child, and of a vehicle ten or more years old by manufacture date are listed as exempt from the casual sales tax, but using a licensed dealer voids the exemptions. sos.ms.gov
- The buyer pays motor vehicle ad valorem tax at registration for vehicles of 10,000 pounds GVW or less. dor.ms.gov
- The standard title fee is $9.00 and a Fast Track title costs $39.00. dor.ms.gov
- First-time registration is $14.00. dor.ms.gov
Easy-to-miss rules in this state
- Fast Track titles are issued within 72 hours of receipt for $39.00. dor.ms.gov
- A missing title requires a surety bond of 1.5 times the average trade-in value, plus an Affidavit of Ownership and a Bill of Sale. dor.ms.gov
- A Power of Attorney to Transfer Motor Vehicle cannot be reassigned to another person or company and expires on the owner's death. sos.ms.gov
- Vehicles in Mississippi should be registered in the county, city and taxing district where they are domiciled. sos.ms.gov
Frequently asked questions
What happens to the license plates when I sell my car in Mississippi?
The seller removes the license plate after assigning the title and handing over the vehicle. The seller surrenders the plate to the county Tax Collector, and plates cannot transfer to a new vehicle because the tag is tied to both the vehicle and the owner.
Official Mississippi resources
- DOR: Tags and Titles (used vehicle transfer)
- DOR: Motor Vehicle Titles
- DOR: Motor Vehicle FAQs
- DOR: Motor Vehicle Registration and Renewal
- DOR: Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 78-015)
- DOR: Motor Vehicle Ad Valorem Taxes
- Mississippi Admin. Code Title 35, Part IV (casual sales tax)
- Mississippi Admin. Code Title 35, Part VII (titles and registration)
Next steps
Once you know the rules, create a free listing and print a QR code sign for the car window. For the general process, see our step-by-step private sale guide, the paperwork checklist, and how to get paid safely. Need paperwork? Use our free bill of sale generator.