Car dealers
How do I title and register a car I bought from a private seller in Wisconsin?
A common question, answered by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 12, 2026
1 answer
From MadisonWI.com
Get the original title signed by the seller and then apply to the state Division of Motor Vehicles. If you will drive the car, WisDOT says to title and register it within two business days of purchase. You'll need the original signed title, not a copy; for 2011 and newer models the seller must record the odometer reading on it. If a lien was listed, bring a release. You can apply in person at a DMV center with your license or ID, or by mail with a completed MV1 application, or online when the service is available. The online service has been listed as unavailable at times, so check first. Fees and taxes apply; WisDOT's fees page lists current amounts. This is a statewide process. Source: Wisconsin Department of Transportation, DMV title and registration pages (checked November 2026).
Written by the MadisonWI.com editors · November 12, 2026