Thursday, March 28, 2024

Buying or registering a car? Don’t forget your ID

Tarrant County residents must now show a proper form of identification to obtain a title and/or registration.

“We want to process your registration and title application as quickly and efficiently as possible,” said Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector Ron Wright. “So it’s very important to know the new rules before heading to our office or your auto dealer.”

If you are buying from a dealer, provide the dealer with your identification. If you are buying a car from an individual, bring your identification and all other required application forms and fees with you to the Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector’s office to apply for the title.

The identification rule passed by the board of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) took effect in September 2013. It was required as part of two state laws approved in 2011 (HB 2017 and HB 2357) that mandate identification.

The following forms of identification are acceptable:

  • A driver’s license or state identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States
  • United States or foreign passport
  • U.S. military identification card
  • U.S. Department of Homeland Security identification document
  • U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services identification document
  • U.S. Department of State identification document
  • North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) identification
  • Identification issued under a Status of Forces Agreement.

Vehicles will be titled in your legal name as it appears on your identification. If your name has changed, you will need to have your ID corrected before the purchase. If you are filling out the title application yourself, be sure to use your legal name.

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