What is the difference between vehicle renaming and transfer between spouses?
3 Answers
About the difference between vehicle renaming and transfer between spouses is introduced as follows: 1. Difference in fees. Transfer between spouses requires payment of fees, while renaming between spouses does not require any fees, which is very convenient. 2. Difference in the content of change. Vehicle renaming does not change the license plate number, only the name of the vehicle owner is changed, while transfer requires changing the name of the vehicle owner and getting a new license plate, though the old license plate can also be retained. 3. Change in ownership. Vehicle renaming between spouses does not involve a transfer of ownership, while transfer does involve a change in the ownership of the vehicle.
My wife and I dealt with this last year, and we were pretty confused at first. A spousal name change is mainly about updating the vehicle's name in the system, like transferring it from my name to my wife's. The process is super simple—just bring your marriage certificate and ID to the DMV, and it’s done. No extra costs, no taxes, usually finished the same day, just to update insurance or records. Transferring ownership, on the other hand, is much more complicated—it’s like actually selling or giving the car to someone else. You’ll need to sign agreements, pay transfer fees, get the vehicle inspected, and possibly deal with taxes. It’s time-consuming and expensive. For us, a name change was enough—no hassle, and we still share ownership. If we ever split up or sell the car later, we can handle the transfer then. Remember, for everyday driving, there’s no need to transfer ownership—it just creates unnecessary trouble.
As a car enthusiast, I've found that name change between spouses is fundamentally different from vehicle transfer. Name change is an internal record adjustment that only modifies the owner's name without transferring ownership. The process is quick - just bring marriage proof to the DMV for one visit, with no fees or tax implications, making it ideal for updating insurance details. Transfer, however, is a legal ownership change involving external parties, requiring notarized contracts, transfer fees (hundreds of yuan), vehicle appraisal, and potentially taxes - a lengthy and costly process. For couples, name change is more economical, protecting mutual interests while being hassle-free. Additionally, name change preserves the vehicle's history for future resale, whereas transfer leaves a sales record. In short, understanding the difference avoids unnecessary expenses - just consult your local DMV.
