DMV-1-TR is the Application for Certificate of Title that the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) uses to issue a West Virginia title to the buyer or owner of a motor vehicle. The agency's forms page calls it "Form 1" and describes it as the title application for an out-of-state vehicle, or any regular vehicle (not rental or lease), that has no West Virginia title. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the official PDF and the mailing details come from the DMV.
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What is DMV-1-TR?
Form DMV-1-TR, Application for Certificate of Title, is the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) application on which the buyer or owner of a motor vehicle requests a West Virginia certificate of title and states the vehicle, price, lien and insurance details.
The West Virginia Department of Transportation's Division of Motor Vehicles issues the form, and the DMV's forms page says it is also known as "Form 1". It is the title application used anytime an out-of-state vehicle, or any regular vehicle that is not a rental or lease vehicle, is submitted without a West Virginia title.
The one-page form, with instructions and a Table of Fees on the reverse, has these parts:
- owner name(s) and mailing address;
- vehicle description, including VIN, odometer reading and title brands;
- purchase price, trade-in, net cost and sales tax, with trade-in descriptions;
- registration plate transfer details;
- up to two liens and encumbrances;
- the motor vehicle liability insurance statement and the owner signature;
- a dealer certification and odometer statement, completed when a dealer made the sale.
The owner certifies the statements under penalty of false swearing; the form cites West Virginia Motor Vehicle Law § 17A-9-1, Fraudulent Applications.
Other DMV forms cover other title situations: DMV-1R-TR for a rental vehicle, DMV-1L for a leased vehicle and DMV-1-IRP for an IRP motor vehicle. An assembled trailer needs DMV-62-TR submitted along with a DMV-1-TR.
Who needs to file DMV-1-TR?
The buyer(s) or owner(s) of a motor vehicle who need a West Virginia certificate of title complete and sign Form DMV-1-TR. The DMV's forms page describes it as the application for an out-of-state vehicle, or for any regular vehicle that has no West Virginia title.
- Purchasers and owners: they complete the name, address, vehicle, price, lien and insurance sections and sign. If the title reads "AND", both owners' signatures must appear.
- Dealers: when a dealer sold the vehicle, the dealer completes the Dealer Certification, including the sale dates, the odometer statement, the dealer name, address, license number and signature.
- Owners transferring a plate: they complete the registration plate transfer section and send a copy of the registration card, both sides.
Do not use this form for a rental vehicle (the DMV points to DMV-1R-TR) or a leased vehicle (DMV-1L, which cannot be used for non-leased vehicles). An IRP motor vehicle has its own application, DMV-1-IRP. The form does not describe who may sign for someone else; contact the DMV if a representative will sign.
When to file DMV-1-TR
File Form DMV-1-TR when you need a West Virginia certificate of title for a vehicle that has no West Virginia title, such as an out-of-state vehicle or a regular (non-rental, non-lease) vehicle you have bought. The form prints no separate due date, so ask the DMV if a deadline applies to your purchase.
Timing on the form itself centers on insurance and attachments. A motor vehicle liability policy must be in effect when the DMV receives the application, and a statement of insurance must be submitted with each application for motor vehicle registration. If you are transferring a license plate, include the copy of the registration card with the application. If the vehicle was previously titled in another state, the out-of-state title must accompany the application, so have it before you submit.
Documents you need
- Proof of insurance: a Certificate of Insurance (WV-1) or a completed statement of insurance, submitted with each application for motor vehicle registration.
- Out-of-state title, only if the vehicle was previously titled in another state; the title must accompany the application.
- Copy of the registration card, front and back, only if you are transferring a license plate from another vehicle.
- Check or money order payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles for the total fees, required when mailing the application; do not send cash.
- Form DMV-62-TR, Construction of an Assembled Trailer, only when titling an assembled trailer; it is submitted along with the DMV-1-TR.
How to fill out DMV-1-TR
Use blue or black ink
The form must be typed or printed in blue or black ink. Leave the boxes marked FOR DMV USE ONLY blank, including the class, expiration date, department number and title number areas.
Enter owner names and address
Under NAME(S), write each buyer or owner. Under MAILING ADDRESS, enter the number, street, city or town, county, state and ZIP code.
Describe the vehicle
Enter the MAKE, YEAR, V.I.N. and STYLE OF BODY. Enter the requested weight (GVW) for trucks, and the ODOMETER READING with no tenths.
Mark any title brands
Under Title Brands, check RECONSTRUCTED or write another brand in the OTHER space, if one applies to the vehicle.
Enter price, trade-in and sales tax
Enter the PURCHASE PRICE, the TRADE IN amount and the NET COST, then the sales tax. Trade-in credit is allowed only on vehicles titled in West Virginia with the tax paid by the applicant.
Describe any trade-in vehicles
Under TRADE-IN DESCRIPTION, list up to two vehicles with make, year, VIN/serial number and West Virginia title number.
Complete the plate transfer section
If you are moving a plate, enter the make of vehicle, weight, VIN/serial number, title number and license plate number it comes from, and send a copy of the registration card, both sides.
Enter liens and encumbrances
For each lien (up to two), enter the lienholder name, full mailing address with ZIP code, amount, lender code, date and kind of lien (C/S/C, D/T or S/A).
Complete the insurance statement
Enter the name of the insurance company, the insurance agent, the policy number and the NAIC number. Insurance must be in effect when the DMV receives the application.
Sign the application
The purchaser(s) or owner(s) sign in the signature space. If the title reads "AND", both owners must sign.
Have the dealer complete certification
If a dealer made the sale, the dealer fills in the acquisition and sale dates, the odometer statement, the dealer name, address, license number and signature.
Total the fees, review and download
Use the Table of Fees on the reverse to compute the total payment required. Check every entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and assemble the package described under How to submit.
How to submit DMV-1-TR
The form's checklist names one channel: mail the application, all required documents and your payment to the DMV.
- By mail: Division of Motor Vehicles, 5707 MacCorkle Avenue, SE, PO Box 17710, Charleston, WV 25317.
- Payment: send a check or money order payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles for the total on the Table of Fees. Do not send cash. A check that is not honored results in a service charge. The form says to send a check or money order only if you are mailing the application.
- Questions: call 1-800-642-9066 (toll free, in-state only) or (304) 558-3900 (out of state).
- Getting the form: the DMV says forms are also available at any DMV Regional Office.
Before mailing, check that the form is complete and signed, the payment is enclosed, and the insurance proof, plate-transfer registration copy and out-of-state title are attached where they apply. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Sending cash. The form says do not send cash; send a check or money order payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles.
- Mailing a check that is not honored; the form says it results in a service charge.
- Leaving out the out-of-state title when the vehicle was previously titled in another state.
- Listing a lien without the complete address and ZIP code of the lienholder.
- Signing with only one owner when the title reads "AND"; both signatures of the owners must appear.
- Applying when no liability insurance is in effect; the form says insurance must be in effect when the application is received.
- Asking to transfer a plate without a copy of the registration card showing both sides.
- Claiming trade-in credit for a vehicle not titled in West Virginia; credit applies only to vehicles titled in West Virginia with the tax paid by the applicant.
- Completing the form in a color other than blue or black ink.
Frequently asked questions
What is the DMV-1-TR form used for?
DMV-1-TR is the West Virginia DMV's Application for Certificate of Title. The buyer or owner uses it to request a West Virginia title and to state the vehicle description, price, liens and insurance. The DMV says it is used for an out-of-state vehicle or any regular vehicle (not rental or lease) without a West Virginia title.
Is DMV-1-TR the same as Form 1?
Yes. The West Virginia DMV's forms page says the Application for Certificate of Title is also known as "Form 1", and its form number is DMV-1-TR. Rental, leased and IRP vehicles use separate forms: DMV-1R-TR, DMV-1L and DMV-1-IRP.
Can I use DMV-1-TR for a leased or rental vehicle?
No. The DMV lists DMV-1-TR for regular vehicles that are not rental or lease. A rental vehicle uses DMV-1R-TR, and a leased vehicle uses DMV-1L, which must include a copy of the lease agreement and cannot be used for non-leased vehicles.
What do I send with the DMV-1-TR?
Send proof of insurance (Certificate of Insurance WV-1 or a completed statement of insurance), plus your payment. Add the out-of-state title if the vehicle was previously titled in another state, and a copy of the registration card, front and back, if you are transferring a license plate.
Where do I mail Form DMV-1-TR?
Mail it with all required documents and payment to Division of Motor Vehicles, 5707 MacCorkle Avenue, SE, PO Box 17710, Charleston, WV 25317. For questions, call 1-800-642-9066 in-state or (304) 558-3900 from out of state.
How do I pay the fees on the DMV-1-TR?
If you mail the application, send a check or money order payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles; do not send cash. The Table of Fees on the form lists the title fee (required) and other fees that may apply, such as lien, plate transfer, sales tax and registration. Amounts are on the form.
Who has to sign the DMV-1-TR?
The purchaser(s) or owner(s) must sign the title application. If the title reads "AND", both owners' signatures must appear. When a dealer made the sale, the dealer also signs the Dealer Certification.
Do I need insurance to apply for a title with the DMV-1-TR?
Yes. The owner states on the form that a motor vehicle liability policy is in effect, and the form says insurance must be in effect when the application is received. Enter the insurer, agent, policy and NAIC numbers, and include proof of insurance.
Can I fill out the DMV-1-TR form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service and does not submit the application to the DMV; you mail the completed form with your documents and payment as described above.
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