Transfer of Ownership of RC Vehicle 2026 : Fee, Check Status, Documents

Vehicle ownership transfer means updating the name of the owner in the Registration Certificate (RC) after selling or buying a vehicle. When a person buys a second-hand car or bike, it legally becomes theirs only after the RC is changed. The government records must show the correct owner because all responsibilities of the vehicle depend on the name written on the RC. If the RC is not transferred, the previous owner remains responsible for traffic fines, pollution violations, accidents and even criminal cases linked to the vehicle.

In India, the Motor Vehicles Act makes ownership transfer mandatory. Every state transport department uses the same rules, and the Parivahan website helps complete this process online. There are three types of ownership transfers: sale of the vehicle, death of the registered owner, and auctioned vehicles. The most common case is when a person sells their car or bike.

The transfer must be done within 14 days if the buyer lives in the same state and within 45 days if the buyer lives in another state. If you delay the process, you may have to pay a penalty. Once you complete the transfer, the new RC is issued in the buyer’s name, and the vehicle becomes legally theirs.

Transfer of Ownership of RC Vehicle 2025 : Fee, Check Status, Documents

How to Transfer of Ownership of RC Vehicle

You sold your car or bike but didn’t get the RC transferred. If the RC is not transferred, you can face legal issues. Until the transfer is complete, any challan or legal case will come under your name. In this video I’ll explain in a simple way how you can transfer your RC from home through the Parivahan portal. Stay till the end because there are some important tips you should know.

Visit the Parivahan Website

• To transfer the RC, first go to the website parivahan.gov.in. Scroll down and you will see an option called Vehicle Registration. Click on it.

• After clicking, the vehicle-related services page will open. Select your state and then your RTO.
• You will see a box on the screen. Tick the box and click Proceed. Again click Proceed. A new page will open.

Apply as Seller for Transfer of Ownership

• You will see an option Apply for Transfer of Ownership Seller. Click on it. Read the important instructions shown on the screen.

• Tick the box and click Proceed. You must now fill your vehicle details. Enter your vehicle registration number and the last five digits of the chassis number.
• Click Verify Details. You will see two OTP options: Using Mobile OTP or Using Aadhaar. Choose the one you prefer.

• you can select Mobile OTP. The last five digits of the registered mobile number will be visible. Click Generate OTP. Enter the OTP received on your phone and submit.

Fill the Application Form (Seller Details) For Transfer of Ownership

• The application form will now appear. Tick Transfer of Ownership. If your vehicle is financed, the option Termination of Hypothecation will already be selected.
• Two tabs will appear: Transfer of Ownership Details and Hypothecation Termination Details. Click only the first one.

• Select the purpose of transfer. Since you sold the vehicle, the sale option will appear automatically. Enter the sale amount. Enter the buyer’s name, their father’s or husband’s name, sale date and the buyer’s mobile number. Tick the confirmation box stating that the details are correct. Save the information.

• If your vehicle was financed and the loan has been cleared, enter the loan closure date under Hypothecation Termination Details. Select Yes when asked if you want to terminate. If the vehicle was not financed, this option will not appear. After saving, your application number will be generated. Note it down. This completes the seller part.

Buyer’s Section

• Now we need to complete the second part for the buyer. Click Apply for Transfer of Ownership – Buyer. Tick the terms and conditions box and click Proceed. Enter the application number generated earlier and click Verify Details. Click Generate OTP. An OTP will be sent to the buyer’s mobile number. Enter the OTP and submit.

• A new interface will open. Scroll down and enter the buyer’s current address, including house number, landmark, district, PAN number, email ID, pincode, state and village if applicable. If the permanent address is the same, tick the box. Select the RTO.

Fee Details

• You will now see the Fee Panel. Fees vary by state. In my case, the total fee is ₹670 (₹200 plastic card fee, ₹20 postal fee and ₹450 transfer fee). Click Pay Now. Read the instructions, tick the box and confirm.

• Select the payment gateway NT RPY. Accept the terms and continue. Choose your bank and payment method such as net banking, debit card, credit card or UPI. Enter the captcha, accept the terms and click Pay.

Forms and Document Upload

• After payment, the page will open automatically and you will find Form 29, Form 30 and Form 35. You can print or save them as PDF.

• Form 29 needs signatures from the vehicle owner. Digital signature can also be added.
• Form 30 needs signatures from both the seller and the buyer. If the vehicle was financed, the financer must sign for hypothecation termination.
• Form 35 requires the seller’s signature and the financer’s signature to confirm loan closure.
• Print the receipt and keep it safe.

• Now click Upload Documents. Upload the buyer’s passport size photo. Upload signed Form 29, Form 30 and Form 35. Upload the buyer’s address proof. Choose any document from the list shown. Upload the buyer’s date of birth proof. Upload your own passport size photo. Upload the NOC if needed. After uploading everything, click Proceed Further.

Click Final Submit. Your application is now submitted.

Book Appointment and Check Status of Transfer of Ownership

• Click Home and enter the application number and verification code to book an appointment. Choose the date that suits you. Save or print the appointment slip.

• Carry all required documents shown on the screen when you go to the RTO.

• To check your application status, use the Know Your Application Status option. You can also view or upload any pending documents if needed.

Why Ownership Transfer is Important

Ownership transfer is important for both the seller and buyer. If the RC remains in the seller’s name, they may receive all challans and legal notices. For example, if the new user breaks a traffic rule, the challan will reach the old owner. In 2023 alone, more than 10 crore e-challans were issued across India, which shows how common penalties are.

For buyers, a correct RC helps in getting insurance claims, selling the vehicle later and travelling without any legal worries. Police can even seize a vehicle if the documents do not match the driver’s details.

Types of Ownership Transfer

There are three main types:

1. Normal Sale Transfer – When a vehicle is sold to another person.
2. Ownership Transfer after Death – When the registered owner dies and the vehicle goes to a legal heir.
3. Ownership Transfer of Auctioned Vehicles – For vehicles sold through government auctions.

Normal sale transfer accounts for more than 80 percent of total transfers in India.

Documents Required for Transfer

Here are the important documents:

• Original RC
• Form 29 and Form 30 (2 copies each)
• Valid insurance
• PUC certificate
• Address proof of buyer
• Passport-size photo of buyer
• Sale affidavit (if required)
• NOC from bank if loan was active (Form 35)

The PUC certificate is valid for 1 year for new vehicles and 6 months for old vehicles.

Fees and Charges for Ownership Transfer

The fees vary by state, but here are the common charges:

• Transfer fee: ₹300 for two-wheelers and ₹500 for four-wheelers
• Smart card fee: ₹200
• Postal fee (if applicable): ₹50 to ₹100
• Late fine: ₹300 per month in some states

If hypothecation removal is required, an extra ₹100 may be charged.

On average, the total cost becomes ₹600 to ₹900 for bikes and ₹800 to ₹1200 for cars.

Time Limit for Ownership Transfer

The Motor Vehicles Act sets clear timelines:

• 14 days if buyer and seller live in the same state
• 45 days if vehicle is sold across states
• 30 days for legal heirs in case of death of the owner

The RTO usually completes the approval within 7 to 30 days, depe