Selling or junking a car in Mississippi, step by step
- Find your title (or replace it). If the title is lost or damaged, request a duplicate from the Mississippi Department of Revenue (Title Bureau) using Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form 78-006).
- Pay off any loan. If a lender is listed on the title, it must release the lien before the car can change hands. See our guide to junking a car with a lien.
- Sign the title over at pickup. The seller completes every part of the title assignment except the buyer's printed name and signature. Leaving the buyer's name blank to fill in later breaks Mississippi law. Related parties use an Affidavit of Relationship, and the seller takes the plate off once the vehicle is handed over.
- Deal with your plates. Mississippi tags are tied to both the owner and the vehicle, so the seller removes the tag and surrenders it to the county Tax Collector, which also takes the seller off the current record.
- Tell the state and your insurer. Mississippi has no separate seller notice that we could confirm. Keep a copy of the signed title and receipt, then cancel your insurance and registration.
How to sign over a title in Mississippi
The seller completes every part of the title assignment except the buyer's printed name and signature. Leaving the buyer's name blank to fill in later breaks Mississippi law. Related parties use an Affidavit of Relationship, and the seller takes the plate off once the vehicle is handed over.
Official page: dor.ms.gov. For general tips on avoiding mistakes, see how to sign over a car title.
Lost title? Getting a duplicate in Mississippi
Owners mail the replacement title application to the Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Services. The FAQ also lists a faster Fast Track service, using Form 78-006 or 78-026.
- Form: Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form 78-006) — download
- Official page: dor.ms.gov
More background: how to get a duplicate title before junking.
License plates after you sell
Plates generally need to be returned or surrendered to the state. Mississippi tags are tied to both the owner and the vehicle, so the seller removes the tag and surrenders it to the county Tax Collector, which also takes the seller off the current record.
Source: dor.ms.gov
Junk and salvage titles in Mississippi
Mississippi treats a vehicle as junked once it has been scrapped, dismantled or destroyed and the owner has surrendered the title. The state does not issue junk, non-rebuildable, certificate of destruction or parts-only titles.
Official page: dor.ms.gov. Background: salvage vs. rebuilt vs. junk titles.
Selling a car without a title in Mississippi
When the original title is missing or can't be transferred, a bonded title can be obtained with a surety bond, an affidavit of ownership and a bill of sale. Separately, the titles page says vehicles made before 1969 do not have to be titled.
Official page: dor.ms.gov
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Mississippi title questions
How do I replace a lost car title in Mississippi?
Owners mail the replacement title application to the Department of Revenue's Motor Vehicle Services. The FAQ also lists a faster Fast Track service, using Form 78-006 or 78-026. The form is Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form 78-006).
Do I need to notify Mississippi when I sell my car?
We couldn't confirm a separate notice-of-sale form for Mississippi. Keep a copy of the signed title and bill of sale, cancel your registration if required, and check with the Mississippi Department of Revenue (Title Bureau).
What happens to my license plates when I sell a car in Mississippi?
Mississippi tags are tied to both the owner and the vehicle, so the seller removes the tag and surrenders it to the county Tax Collector, which also takes the seller off the current record.
Can I junk a car without a title in Mississippi?
When the original title is missing or can't be transferred, a bonded title can be obtained with a surety bond, an affidavit of ownership and a bill of sale. Separately, the titles page says vehicles made before 1969 do not have to be titled. Confirm the details with the Mississippi Department of Revenue (Title Bureau).
Official sources
- Mississippi Department of Revenue (Title Bureau) — homedor.ms.gov
- Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form 78-006) formdor.ms.gov
- License plates after a saledor.ms.gov
- Junk and salvage vehiclesdor.ms.gov
Summarized from official Mississippi government websites in October 2026. Fees and procedures change; always confirm with the Mississippi Department of Revenue (Title Bureau) before you sell. This guide is general information, not legal advice.