VTR-271 is the Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions, a one-page form published by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). The vehicle owner (the grantor) uses it to authorize another person or entity (the grantee) to purchase, transfer and assign the legal title to a described motor vehicle. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The original form is published by TxDMV at www.TxDMV.gov, and it needs original ink signatures before use.
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What is VTR-271?
The Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions (VTR-271) is a Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) form on which a vehicle owner, the grantor, appoints a grantee to purchase, transfer and assign the legal title to a described motor vehicle.
Once completed and signed, the form grants the grantee full power of substitution and full power and authority to perform every act necessary and proper for those title actions on the grantor's behalf. TxDMV explains that "full power of substitution" means the grantee may delegate the power by putting another person in his or her place through a substitute power of attorney.
The page identifies the vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number, year, make, body style, model, license plate and title or document number), the grantor and the grantee. The certification block states that the grantor, as owner, appoints the grantee, or anyone the grantee may substitute, as attorney to title the vehicle and to substitute as it pertains to that vehicle.
VTR-271 has a companion. It cannot be used in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure. When a power of attorney is permitted by the applicable regulations for such a vehicle, the form to use is the secure Power of Attorney for Transfer of Ownership to a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-271-A).
Who needs to file VTR-271?
The owner of a motor vehicle who wants someone else to title it uses VTR-271 as the grantor. The grantor may be a person or an entity, since the name lines read "First Name (or Entity Name)". The person or entity who will act is the grantee, who is named on the form and may also be an entity.
Conditions and limits printed on the form:
- The grantee receives full power of substitution, so the grantee may delegate the authority to another person by a substitute power of attorney.
- If the form is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title, both the grantor, who signs this form, and the grantee, who signs the application, must include a photocopy of their photo identification as required by state law.
- Do not use VTR-271 in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a motor vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure. Use the secure Form VTR-271-A when the applicable regulations permit a power of attorney for such a vehicle.
The form does not describe any other representative, so questions about who may sign for an entity should go to TxDMV.
When to file VTR-271
VTR-271 has no due date printed on it. You complete and sign it when the owner decides to authorize a grantee to handle title work on the described vehicle, and it then accompanies the title transaction that the grantee carries out.
If it is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title, the grantor and the grantee must include photocopies of their photo identification with the application, so gather those before the grantee goes to apply. The form stays tied to one vehicle: the vehicle's identifying details are part of the document. For any deadline that applies to the title or registration itself, check with TxDMV at www.TxDMV.gov.
Documents you need
- Photocopy of the grantor's photo identification, included when the power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title, as required by state law.
- Photocopy of the grantee's photo identification, included when the power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title; the grantee is the person signing the application.
How to fill out VTR-271
Confirm VTR-271 is the right form
Check that the transaction is not a dealer transaction completing a title assignment on a vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure; for that case the secure Form VTR-271-A applies when a power of attorney is permitted.
Enter the vehicle details
Under Vehicle Information, enter the Vehicle Identification Number, year, make, body style and model. Add the License Plate State and Number if any.
Add the title or document number
Enter the Title/Document Number. If it is unknown, leave it blank, as the form instructs.
Complete the grantor information
Enter the grantor's first name (or entity name), middle name, last name and suffix if any, then the address, city, county, state and ZIP code.
Complete the grantee information
Enter the grantee's first name (or entity name), middle name, last name and suffix if any, then the address, city, county, state and ZIP code of the person or entity who will act.
Read the certification
The certification states that the grantor, as owner of the vehicle, appoints the grantee, or anyone the grantee may substitute, as attorney to title the vehicle. State law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.
Print the grantor's name
In Printed Name, write the grantor's name the same as the signature.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check that every section is complete and that nothing needs altering. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF, then sign and date it by hand in black or blue ink; the grantor must provide an original signature.
How to submit VTR-271
VTR-271 does not name its own submission channel, address or portal. It is a supporting document that the grantee uses in the motor vehicle title transaction it authorizes, so it travels with that application.
- Signatures: the form requires original signatures in black or blue ink, with no alterations, so print the completed PDF and sign it by hand.
- Identification: if the power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title, include a photocopy of the photo identification of the grantor and of the grantee, who signs the application.
- Where to apply: the form is published online at www.TxDMV.gov; ask TxDMV where the underlying title application should be filed.
Every section must be properly completed for the document to be accepted. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the TxDMV channels that apply to your title transaction.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using VTR-271 in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure, when the secure Form VTR-271-A is required.
- Leaving a section incomplete; the form says all sections must be properly completed for the document to be accepted.
- Signing with a copied or electronic signature or using ink other than black or blue; original signatures in black or blue ink are required.
- Altering the form after printing; no alterations are allowed on it.
- Omitting the photocopy of the grantor's or grantee's photo identification when the power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title.
- Entering a Title/Document Number you do not know; the form says to leave it blank if unknown.
- Giving false information on the form; the certification states that state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.
- Signing the grantor line with a printed name that differs from the signature; the printed name must match the signature.
Frequently asked questions
What is VTR-271 used for?
VTR-271 is the TxDMV Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions. Once signed, it lets the grantee, with full power of substitution, purchase, transfer and assign the legal title to the described vehicle on the grantor's behalf.
Can I fill out VTR-271 online?
You can fill out the VTR-271 PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. The form still needs an original signature in black or blue ink, and FillingPDF does not file it with TxDMV.
Can VTR-271 be used for a dealer sale?
Not for a title assignment in a dealer transaction on a vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure. In that case the secure Power of Attorney for Transfer of Ownership to a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-271-A) must be used, when the applicable regulations permit a power of attorney.
Do I need to attach photo ID to VTR-271?
Yes, when the power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title. The grantor, who signs this form, and the grantee, who signs the application, must each include a photocopy of their photo identification.
What does full power of substitution mean on VTR-271?
It means the person given this power of attorney can delegate it by putting another person in his or her place through a substitute power of attorney. The certification also covers anyone the grantee may substitute.
What ink and signature rules apply to VTR-271?
Original signatures are required, only black or blue ink is acceptable, and no alterations are allowed on the form. Every section must be properly completed or the document may not be accepted.
What if I do not know the title number on VTR-271?
Leave the Title/Document Number blank. The form says to do so if the number is unknown. The other vehicle fields, such as the Vehicle Identification Number, year, make, body style and model, should still be completed.
Can the grantor or grantee be a company on VTR-271?
The name lines are labeled "First Name (or Entity Name)" for both the grantor and the grantee, so an entity name can be entered. The form gives no other rules about who may sign for an entity; ask TxDMV.
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