What Do I Need to Buy a Car in Texas?

[Updated August 2023]

For Individuals

If you are purchasing a vehicle from a dealer, provide the dealer with your ID.

If you are purchasing a vehicle from an individual, bring your identification document and all other required application forms and fees with you to your county office when applying for your new title.

It is only necessary for one of the owners to provide the proper form of identification if you plan to title the vehicle in more than one name.

For Businesses and Organizations

It's a little more complicated for titling a vehicle in the name of a business or organization; additional ID rules apply.

Employees authorized to title a vehicle for leasing companies, government entities, organizations and private businesses must provide the following in addition to one of the acceptable forms of identification listed under the Forms of Identification tab:

1. A letter of authorization on the employer’s official letterhead, or

2. An official business card with the employer and employee’s name

For Power of Attorney

If you are applying for a title on behalf of another person, you will need to have a Power of Attorney along with all the documents below:

1. Identification matching the person or employee of the entity named as power of attorney, and

2. Identification of the owner or lien holder.

If you are applying for a title on behalf of another company, you will need to have a Power of Attorney along with an official business card or letter of authorization on company letterhead that matches the identification of the employee.

For Trusts

If applying for a title in the name of a trust, the identification of the trustee must be presented.

What are Acceptable Forms of Identification?

• A driver's license or identification certificate issued by a state or territory of the United States.

• A state issued License to Carry Handgun

• 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.

The acceptable identification documents listed above must include:

• a photo of the applicant

• a unique identification number AND

• an expiration date

NOTE: "Current" is defined as not expired more than twelve months from the expiration date of the identification document for title and registration applications.