I have a title of a car I just paid off that is titled in Cali. Just got the title in the mail. I want to give this car, via title name change, to someone else.

Do I have to change the state of title first (it's in my name) and then sign it over or sign it over and let this person go get it titled in Texas (or is that even necessary what state it matters)

Which forms would I need?

Are you gifting this car or selling it?

It's going to my ex wife (divorce settlement) so gifting unless "selling" it is easier.

Still married or is the divorce final? Car registered in Texas?

If not final, use the gift form on the Texas comptrollers website.

Divorce is final. It was agreed that car will be in her possession. Car is currently titled in Cali (where it was purchased and financed) under my name. We need it moved to her sole name. Everyone lives in Texas now.

Final as of July 2020 in Texas. Car was recently paid off by us and title was mailed to me in Texas since it's registered under my name.

Just to avoid taxes, do you have a kid who lives with her that you could give it to as a gift?
There was a big thread about how to do that on here a month or two ago.

Otherwise, I guess you could sell it to her for $1 or whatever and she'd owe Sales Tax to Texas based on the value of the vehicle which would probably be difficult to establish.

Bottom line, the State of Texas forms are the only ones you need to fill out.

11 months ago, I gifted my daughter in Texas a car. I signed the California Title and gave it to her. We both filled out the Texas paperwork stating it was a gift. Then I mailed a form back to Sacramento stating that I had "sold" the vehicle and no longer had any interest in it.

It took forever due to Covid but a few months later, my daughter received the Texas Title.

This stuff is all pretty well documented on the Texas web sites. The other thread from a month or two ago had good links in it.

You don't have to retitle it in Cali first. You can sign it over to her, and she can retitle it in her state.

As for selling vs gifting, taxes are the big difference. Gifting may be too late, since the divorce is final. Talk to your divorce attorney, they may know how this is supposed to happen in a settlement like this.

Your atty should handle it so nobody gets popped for taxes.

Was advised to just sign it over and since it was part of decree not subject to taxes.

Rexter said:

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Your atty should handle it so nobody gets popped for taxes.

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Probably more expensive than paying taxes.

Can you add her to the title and then remove yourself? You'll have to pay two of the fees but not taxes.