Is Vehicle File Transfer Equivalent to Ownership Transfer?
2 Answers
Vehicle file transfer is not the same as ownership transfer. The file refers to the vehicle's registration records. File transfer means extracting the vehicle's records from location A to be registered in location B, whereas ownership transfer only changes the vehicle's owner, i.e., updating the name of the person to whom the vehicle belongs. For example, if you purchase a used car with an out-of-town license plate and want to register it locally, you need to complete both file transfer and ownership transfer. Every vehicle has a fixed registration, which primarily records the owner's details, address, and vehicle-related parameters. Transferring ownership proves that the vehicle belongs to the new owner and has no outstanding accidents or violations. If the vehicle has issues—such as missing annual inspections, involvement in accidents, being stolen, or being smuggled—ownership transfer cannot be processed. After file transfer, the vehicle can be used for relocation or ownership transfer. Below are the steps for vehicle file transfer and relocation: Obtain a tracing card at the transfer hall for vehicle identification and specify that the vehicle requires relocation procedures. Take a queue number and select the relocation option at the hall entrance based on the vehicle number. Submit the required documents. For same-city ownership transfers, an additional copy of the vehicle's license is needed. Submit the license plate. At the counter, provide the outbound transfer authorization, the 'Motor Vehicle Transfer Application Form,' the vehicle license, the registration certificate, the buyer's ID and two copies, the vehicle plate, and the plate submission fee to receive a receipt. After three working days, collect the main file from the vehicle management office. The main file includes the application form, inspection sheet, chassis number, original vehicle photo, and the owner's license, among other documents. Complete the registration process at the new vehicle management office, where a temporary license plate will be issued. Once the vehicle arrives at its destination, the owner can complete the transfer-in procedures at the relevant office using the main file.
I recently helped a friend with a used car transaction, and the two key steps are actually the transfer of vehicle records and the title transfer. Transferring the records is like moving the car's 'household registration' out of the original DMV, and you'll receive a sealed file bag; the title transfer is when the buyer takes this file to a new location to register and settle the car. Simply put, transferring the records is the outbound process, while the title transfer is the inbound process. Never open the sealed file bag, or it might become invalid. During the transaction, make sure the buyer completes the registration before considering the title transfer truly successful. I've seen cases where the seller handed over the car right after the records were transferred, but the buyer delayed the registration, leaving the original owner still liable for the vehicle. It's recommended that both the buyer and seller go to the DMV together, complete the record transfer process on-site, and confirm that the buyer can finalize the title transfer within a few days to ensure everything goes smoothly.
