APPLICATION FOR MONTANA TITLE INSTRUCTIONS: How do I complete the Application for a Montana Title?
To properly apply for a Montana title, an Application for a Montana Title Form MV1 must be completed. We can complete the form for you when you come into the office, or you can complete it and bring it with you.
Please follow these instructions carefully, and do not white out, cross out, or otherwise alter the MV1 after you have completed it.
Section A: Applicant Section The applicant name in this section must agree with the applicant's signature at the bottom of the application, and must also agree with the registration receipt that is issued. Driver license number and state where the driver license is issued, FEIN, Tribal ID or Corporate ID of all applicants is required on the application.
The title will be issued with the legal name of the person as shown on their driver license.
If the applicant's name has been written and is illegible, type the correct spelling in parenthesis next to the handwritten entry. Montana titles cannot be issued with a title preceding the owner name (e.g., DR, MR, MRS, and REV). Montana does not recognize the conjunction “or” on Montana titles. The title will be issued without a conjunction as the signatures of all titled owners are required to transfer a Montana title.
Enter the mailing address of the applicant. Registration renewal notice cards and the title are mailed to this address. The Montana residential address is required.
If the vehicle is being leased, enter the LESSEE'S address as the residential address. This address must be a Montana address this should be a street or rural route address, and must be in the same where the vehicle is being registered and must agree with one of the addresses on the registration receipt.
The county of residence is the county in which the vehicle is being registered.
Section B: The Manufacturer's List Price is commonly known as the "Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price;" it may also be referred to as the Suggested Retail Price at Port of Entry, or Suggested List Price at Port of Entry. Ordinarily, this amount will be the first price shown at the top of the price sticker on the window of the vehicle and does not include destination charges, accessories, state or local taxes. This information is required only for new vehicles, and is to be provided by the dealer.
The year is the year of manufacture. For new vehicles, this must agree with the year indicated on the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO).
A motor home may have two MCOs: one for the chassis, and one for the body. Instead of a year entered on the chassis MCO, it may have N/A (not applicable). The VSB will accept it as it is and use the body MCO for the model year.
The make name is the manufacturer's name (Chevrolet, Ford, Mercury, Dodge, etc.), the customer must have a complete manufacturer's make name for trailers; cannot use abbreviations.
The model is required (Lumina, Taurus, Cutlass, 280Z, etc.).
• For Snowmobiles, the model name is SN.
The body style is required (2dr, 4dr, Convertible, Van, Bus, etc.).
• For Off-Highway Vehicles, the body style is 2-wheel or 4-wheel.
• For Snowmobiles, the body style is SN.
Enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) as it appears on the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or out-of-state title. Do not enter this information from a registration receipt unless the vehicle is from a non-title state (registration receipts may contain typographical errors). If the vehicle is a motor home, enter the chassis VIN.
Use common colors, not fancy names. If the vehicle is two-toned, enter the top color first. If the vehicle has a scene (as those painted on the side of a van) enter “MULTI.”
- Fuel type: enter whether the vehicle operates on gas, diesel or liquid petroleum fuel
- For passenger-type vehicles, only: check the box pertaining to the unladen weight of the vehicle.
- For truck-type vehicles, only: check the box indicating the tonnage of the vehicle.
- For trucks and trailers: enter the combined unladen weight of the vehicle and the maximum cargo weight.
- For truck/tractors: enter the combined unladen weight of both vehicles along with the maximum cargo weight.
- Enter the length of travel trailers, manufactured home, slide-in truck campers, and Motorhomes.
- For motorcycles or quadricycles: enter the wheelbase and wheel diameter.
Section C: Leins and Security Interests: If the vehicle is being financed, enter the complete name of the secured party, FEIN/driver license number/Tribal ID or Corp. ID, address and zip code for the secured party or lienholder.
Section D: Odometer/Statement of Sale: If the vehicle was acquired used, a title or registration from a non-title state must be submitted with this document. Completion of this section is only necessary when the vehicle is 9 years old or newer. Unless you are the dealer, do not complete the date, license number or other dealer designated areas.
Section E: Applicants Acknowledgment: Enter the date the Form MV1 is signed. You must sign their signature on the line next to the date and print your name on the line below the signature line to complete the application and comply with the Federal Odometer Law.
If there are multiple owners, only one owner must
If the applicant is a firm or corporation, enter the business name on the line to the left. An authorized agent must sign this section and print the name of the person signing the application. The name of the firm or corporation must be the same as listed in Section A. If someone is signing for the applicant with power-of-attorney, that person must write the applicant's name as well as signing his/her own name followed by a notation POA. An original or copy of the power-of-attorney form must accompany the application.
If there is a security interest to file the person signing the application must also be the one who signed the contract or agreement. If the title is to be issued in just the name of a lessor, a lessee cannot sign the MV1 unless the lessor has given them Power-of-Attorney.
Still have questions? Email us at mv@gallatin.mt.gov.