How to Transfer Car Ownership in Notary & DMV

Timing: 1 to 3 business days Fees: - Attendance: required for both at Notary, buyer only at Traffic DMV Last Updated: May 2026

Required Documents

Transfer Route & Documents Readiness Helper

Enter your vehicle details to get an expected route and any extra documents you may need before going to the notary office and traffic unit.


Step-by-Step Guide

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Extracting Fines Clearance by Seller

The seller must go to the Traffic Prosecution, post office, or request online to obtain the 'Fines Clearance Certificate'. Note that it must not be older than 30 days to be accepted by the officer.

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Notary Office & Registered Contract Signing

Both buyer and seller head to the Notary Office (Vehicle Notarization section). The officer reviews details, you pay the fees determined by the model & CC, then sign the official contract and stamp it with the gold eagle seal.

Madam Afaf Warning: Never rely on a sales POA for long periods without transfering ownership at DMV! Fines or legal issues will remain registered in the old owner's name, putting you through endless questioning.
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Heading to Local DMV & Technical Inspection

The buyer takes the car and the registered contract and heads to their local Traffic DMV (matching their ID address). Buy inspection form 101, and the engineer will check the chassis & engine numbers on the carbon sheet.

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New Compulsory Insurance & Tax Payment

The buyer pays a new compulsory insurance policy in their name, then goes to the licensing window to pay the taxes & fees based on the required license duration (1 or 3 years).

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Receiving License & New Plates

The buyer hands over old plates if changing governorates or if they are the old style, and collects the new secured license plates and official registration license in their name. Congratulations!


Official Government Sources


Frequently Asked Questions

How are Notary fees calculated for car ownership transfer?
Fees are based on the official car price catalog at the Notary Office, determined by the manufacturing year and engine capacity (CC). The older the car, the lower the registration fee becomes due to annual depreciation factors.
Must I change the license plates when transferring ownership?
You must change plates in only two cases: if the buyer resides in a different governorate from where the vehicle is currently licensed, or if the current plates are the old non-secured format.
What is the validity of the fines clearance certificate?
The fines clearance certificate remains valid for use before the Notary and Traffic DMV for exactly one month (30 days) from the date of issue.
Can I transfer car ownership using a sales Power of Attorney?
Yes, provided the Power of Attorney is valid, explicitly allows selling to oneself and to others, and has a clear, continuous chain of previous POAs from the original owner on the license to the current seller.
What to do if the vehicle license is completely expired?
The seller must first extract a 'Data Certificate' (شهادة بيانات) addressed to the Notary Office from the traffic department where the car is registered to proceed with signing the contract.