The Mississippi Application for Certificate of Title (Form 78-002) is the document you file with the Mississippi Department of Revenue to put a car, truck, trailer, or manufactured home into your name as the legal owner. Since 1969, Mississippi has required almost every motor vehicle on its roads to carry a title, and this form is how you prove the vehicle is yours.
You file Form 78-002 at your local county Tax Collector’s office, and you have only 30 business days from the purchase date to do it before penalties start. Mississippi processes around a million title transactions each year, and a single wrong digit in the VIN or a missing odometer reading can bounce your application back and cost you weeks. This guide walks you through every box on the form, in plain language, so you get it right the first time.
Here is what you will learn:
- 📋 What each field on Form 78-002 asks and exactly how to answer it
- 💵 The real fees, taxes, and the Fast-Track $30 upgrade that speeds things up
- 🗂️ Every document you must gather before you start so nothing gets rejected
- ⚠️ The field-level mistakes that delay titles and how to dodge them
- ❓ Clear answers to the questions filers ask most about Mississippi titles
What Form 78-002 Is and Who Must File It
Form 78-002 is the Application for Certificate of Title issued by the Mississippi Department of Revenue (DOR), Motor Vehicle Services. The form’s job is to transfer or establish legal ownership of a vehicle in the state’s records. Once DOR accepts it, the state issues a paper or electronic certificate of title that names you, the owner, and lists any lender that holds a loan against the vehicle.
You must file this form if you buy a vehicle from a private seller, move to Mississippi with an out-of-state vehicle, inherit a vehicle, or add or remove a name on a title. The legal backbone for titling sits in Mississippi Code Title 63, Chapter 21, the Motor Vehicle and Manufactured Housing Title Law. That statute makes titling mandatory and gives DOR the power to refuse or hold an application that is incomplete.
The agency that receives the form is the county Tax Collector, who acts as DOR’s designated agent and forwards your paperwork to the state Title Bureau in Clinton. The deadline that governs the form is the 30-business-day window after purchase, and the penalty for blowing it includes late fees and, for new residents, a flat $250 penalty. Each piece connects: the statute requires the title, the Tax Collector collects it, the deadline forces speed, and the penalty punishes delay.
A few vehicles are exceptions. Pre-1969 cars are titled only by choice, golf carts are never titled, and trailers under 5,000 pounds gross vehicle weight are usually optional. ATVs and utility vehicles built after July 1, 2025 now must be titled under updated state rules.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. A missing item is the top reason a county clerk hands your packet back across the counter. Pull these together first so your trip to the Tax Collector takes one visit, not three.
- The properly assigned title or Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO). This proves the seller owned the vehicle and signed it over to you; without it, DOR cannot transfer ownership and you may need a title bond instead.
- A bill of sale. It shows the purchase price and date, which the Tax Collector uses to calculate your 5% sales or use tax; a missing one can stall the tax math.
- The odometer disclosure. Federal law requires a mileage reading on transfers of vehicles under 20 model years old, and leaving it blank triggers an automatic rejection.
- Your Mississippi driver’s license or photo ID. The clerk verifies your identity against the application; an expired ID can hold up the filing.
- Lien release or lienholder information. If a past loan was paid off, the release proves the old lender no longer has a claim; if a new loan exists, you need the lender’s exact name and address.
- Out-of-state registration receipt. New residents need their current valid plate receipt to prove ownership while DOR coordinates the title from the prior state.
- Proof of insurance. Mississippi requires liability coverage, and you will need an insurance card in the vehicle even though it is not checked at the title window.
- Payment for fees and taxes. Bring funds for the $9 title fee, any agent fee, and your sales or use tax, because the application is not filed until payment clears.
- Affidavit of Relationship (if related seller). Buyers and sellers who are spouses, parents, children, grandparents, or siblings may need this to claim a tax break.
- Power of attorney (if someone files for you). Dealers and agents use a secure power of attorney to sign on the owner’s behalf, and an unsigned one voids the authority.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can get Form 78-002 free from the Mississippi DOR Title Forms page, where it sits as a downloadable PDF you can print at home. Most filers, though, pick up the form at the counter of their county Tax Collector’s office, because the clerk often pre-fills part of it from your documents while you wait.
The form is also available through DOR’s Motor Vehicle e-Services portal for dealers and designated agents who submit title applications online. Bulk paper copies can be ordered by businesses through the DOR Print Shop at 601-923-7880. Always confirm you are using the current revision printed in the lower corner of the form, since DOR updates the layout from time to time and an old version may omit the electronic-lien checkbox added in recent years.
If you download the PDF, fill it on a computer where possible so your entries are legible, then print and sign by hand. Handwritten forms are accepted, but print in black ink and use all capital letters so the clerk and the scanner can read every character. Keep a blank spare copy in case you make an error and need to restart a field cleanly.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form 78-002 Line by Line
Work through the form in the order the boxes appear. Each subsection below covers one field, what it asks, how to answer, an example, a common edge case, the mistake people make, and a myth to drop. Print everything in capital letters and black ink.
1. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This field asks for the unique serial number stamped on your vehicle, the single most important entry on the whole form. Copy the VIN exactly from the dashboard plate or the door jamb sticker, not from memory, and enter all 17 characters with no spaces or dashes. For example, James Carter enters 1HGCM82633A004352 straight from his Accord’s windshield plate.
A common edge case is older vehicles built before 1981, which may have a shorter VIN of fewer than 17 characters; enter exactly what the vehicle shows. The mistake filers make most is swapping the number zero for the letter O or the digit one for the letter I, and a single wrong character means the title prints with a VIN that does not match the vehicle, forcing a corrected-title application and a $10 fee. Many people believe the VIN on the seller’s old title is enough to copy from, but you should always verify it against the metal plate on the car, because an existing title can itself carry a long-standing typo.
2. Year, Make, and Model
This field asks for the model year, the manufacturer, and the model name of your vehicle. Enter the four-digit year, the make as the brand, and the model in plain capital letters, matching what appears on the prior title or MSO. For example, Maria Lopez writes 2019, TOYOTA, and CAMRY for the sedan she just bought.
An edge case appears with rebadged or imported vehicles whose model name differs from common usage; use the name shown on the MSO or foreign certificate of origin. The frequent mistake is guessing the model year from the purchase year, when the model year is often one year ahead of the calendar year of sale, and a mismatch with the VIN-decoded year flags the application for review. People wrongly think trim levels like “LE” or “Sport” belong here, but the form wants only the base model name, and adding trim text can confuse the data entry.
3. Body Type and Color
This field asks what kind of vehicle it is and what color it is. Enter a short body type such as 4-DOOR SEDAN, PICKUP, or SUV, and list the vehicle’s main exterior color. For example, Darnell Washington writes PICKUP and BLACK for his work truck.
An edge case is a two-tone paint job; list the dominant or roof color, or note both if the form gives space. The mistake people make is leaving color blank because it feels minor, yet the color helps law enforcement and DOR match records, and a blank can slow verification. A common myth is that body type must be an official engineering code, but a clear plain-English term like VAN or MOTORCYCLE is exactly what the clerk expects.
4. Owner’s Full Legal Name
This field asks for the full legal name of the person who will own the vehicle. Enter your name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license, last name where prompted, with no nicknames. For example, Aisha Renee Brown writes her name in full rather than “Aisha B.”
An edge case is a recent name change after marriage; use your current legal name and bring the marriage license if it differs from your prior title. The mistake filers make is entering a nickname or initials, which then prints on the title and will not match the owner’s ID at sale or renewal, creating problems down the road. People often believe the name can be cleaned up later for free, but correcting an owner name after issuance requires a corrected title and possibly a $10 fee.
5. Co-Owner Name and “And/Or” Joint Ownership
This field asks whether a second person will share ownership and how the names are joined. Enter the co-owner’s full legal name and choose the connector carefully, because AND, OR, and AND/OR carry different legal weight in Mississippi. For example, John Doe and Jane Doe listed as John OR Jane Doe let either person sign to sell or, on death, the survivor keeps the vehicle with only a death certificate.
The edge case is estate planning: a title held as John AND Jane Doe requires both signatures to sell and, on a death, demands a probated will, while John OR Jane Doe needs just the survivor. The mistake people make is treating the connector as cosmetic, when choosing AND instead of OR can later force heirs through probate court to move the vehicle. A widespread myth is that joint owners are automatically “or” owners, but the connector prints exactly as you mark it, so decide on purpose.
6. Owner’s Mailing Address
This field asks where DOR should mail your title and notices. Enter your full residential or mailing address including city, county, state, and ZIP code, in capital letters. For example, Maria Lopez enters 412 OAK STREET, JACKSON, HINDS COUNTY, MS 39201.
An edge case is using a P.O. Box; you may list it for mail, but the county still needs your physical domicile because the vehicle must be registered in the county where it is parked overnight. The mistake filers make is entering an old address from before a move, which sends the only paper title to the wrong mailbox and risks loss, requiring a $9 replacement. People often think any address works, but the county of residence drives your ad valorem tax rate, so the wrong county can mean the wrong tax bill.
7. Date of Purchase and Purchase Price
This field asks when you bought the vehicle and what you paid. Enter the date in MM/DD/YYYY format and the price as the actual amount paid after trade-in and dealer discounts. For example, Darnell Washington writes 04/18/2026 and $14,500 from his signed bill of sale.
The edge case is a gift or family transfer at no cost; an Affidavit of Relationship may reduce or remove sales tax, so do not invent a fake price. The mistake people make is understating the price to lower tax, which is a violation that can trigger an audit and penalties, since DOR compares the figure against trade-in value guides. A common myth is that manufacturer rebates lower the taxable price, but Mississippi taxes the price before rebates, so the rebate does not cut your 5% tax.
8. Odometer Disclosure
This field asks for the vehicle’s current mileage at the time of sale. Enter the exact reading from the dash, and mark whether the reading is actual, exceeds mechanical limits, or is not the true mileage. For example, James Carter enters 86,204 and checks ACTUAL MILEAGE.
An edge case is a vehicle 20 model years old or older, which is exempt from federal odometer disclosure, so the box may be left as exempt. The mistake filers make is rounding or guessing the mileage, since federal law treats a false odometer statement as a serious offense and a mismatch with the prior title’s reading will hold the application. People wrongly think the odometer line is optional on used cars, but for vehicles under the age exemption it is mandatory, and a blank line guarantees rejection.
9. Lienholder Information
This field asks whether a lender holds a loan against the vehicle and who that lender is. If you financed the purchase, enter the lienholder’s exact legal name and mailing address, and check the electronic-lien box if the lender uses it. For example, Aisha Brown lists REGIONS BANK, P.O. BOX 1234, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35201 because she took a car loan.
The edge case is a paid-off prior loan; leave this blank only after attaching the old lienholder’s release, or the old lien will carry onto your new title. The mistake people make is misspelling the lender’s name or omitting the address, which delays the title because DOR must hold it until the lien is recorded correctly. A common myth is that you can add the lienholder later, but Mississippi requires the lien on the original application, and fixing it afterward means a corrected title.
10. Sales or Use Tax Calculation
This section asks for the tax owed on the purchase. The general rate is 5% of the net purchase price for cars, vans, and trucks under 10,000 pounds, dropping to 3% for heavier property-carrying trucks. For example, Maria Lopez owes $725 on her $14,500 Camry at the 5% rate.
The edge case is an out-of-state purchase; tax you paid to another state is not credited toward Mississippi tax, so you pay the full Mississippi amount here. The mistake filers make is forgetting that use tax applies to vehicles bought from out-of-state dealers, leaving the section blank and stalling the filing. A myth many hold is that a private-party sale escapes tax, but Mississippi charges sales tax on individual-to-individual sales too, calculated at the county window.
11. Owner’s Signature and Date
This field asks you to certify that everything on the form is true. Sign and date the form in ink exactly as your name appears in the owner field, and have every listed co-owner sign as well. For example, John Doe and Jane Doe both sign because the title lists them as joint owners.
The edge case is filing through an agent; a dealer or representative signs only with a valid secure power of attorney attached. The mistake people make is signing with a nickname or leaving a co-owner’s signature blank, which voids the certification and forces a re-sign. A common myth is that a typed or digital signature always works on the paper form, but the county counter generally requires a handwritten signature on printed applications.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common situations Mississippi filers face, each followed start to finish. Use them as a map for your own entries.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez buys a used car from a private seller in Hinds County.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 4T1B11HK5KU000111 copied from the windshield plate |
| Year/Make/Model | 2019 TOYOTA CAMRY |
| Body Type/Color | 4-DOOR SEDAN / SILVER |
| Owner’s Full Legal Name | MARIA ELENA LOPEZ |
| Mailing Address | 412 OAK STREET, JACKSON, HINDS COUNTY, MS 39201 |
| Date/Price of Purchase | 05/02/2026 / $14,500 |
| Odometer | 41,309 ACTUAL MILEAGE |
| Lienholder | NONE (paid cash) |
| Sales Tax | $725 at 5% |
| Signature | Maria Elena Lopez, signed 05/02/2026 |
Scenario 2: Darnell Washington, a new resident, retitles his out-of-state truck.
| Form Section | What Darnell Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 1FTFW1ET0EFC00222 from the door jamb |
| Year/Make/Model | 2018 FORD F-150 |
| Body Type/Color | PICKUP / BLACK |
| Owner’s Full Legal Name | DARNELL RAY WASHINGTON |
| Mailing Address | 88 PINE ROAD, GULFPORT, HARRISON COUNTY, MS 39501 |
| Date/Price of Purchase | 01/15/2024 / N/A prior-owner since 2024 |
| Odometer | 72,540 ACTUAL MILEAGE |
| Out-of-State Document | Alabama title plus current AL registration receipt |
| Lienholder | NONE |
| Signature | Darnell Ray Washington, signed 05/10/2026 |
Scenario 3: Aisha Brown buys a financed car with a lender on the title.
| Form Section | What Aisha Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 5NPE34AF4HH000333 from the dashboard |
| Year/Make/Model | 2017 HYUNDAI SONATA |
| Body Type/Color | 4-DOOR SEDAN / WHITE |
| Owner’s Full Legal Name | AISHA RENEE BROWN |
| Mailing Address | 7 MAPLE COURT, TUPELO, LEE COUNTY, MS 38801 |
| Date/Price of Purchase | 04/28/2026 / $12,000 |
| Odometer | 58,112 ACTUAL MILEAGE |
| Lienholder | REGIONS BANK, P.O. BOX 1234, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35201 |
| Sales Tax | $600 at 5% |
| Signature | Aisha Renee Brown, signed 04/28/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form 78-002
Mississippi gives you several ways to file, and the right channel depends on who you are and how fast you need the title. Most individual buyers file in person at the county counter.
- In person at the county Tax Collector’s office. This is the standard route for private buyers and new residents; bring the form, your documents, and ID, pay the $9 title fee plus any $1 designated agent fee, sales or use tax, and registration fees by cash, check, or card as the county allows, and keep your stamped receipt as proof of filing. Standard titles arrive in 3 to 4 weeks.
- By mail to the state Title Bureau. Send the completed form and payment to Mississippi Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383; keep a copy of everything and use certified mail for proof, with the same 3-to-4-week timeline.
- Fast-Track expedited service. Add $30 to the regular fee and mail to the Fast-Track Title Program at P.O. Box 22845, Jackson, MS 39225-2845, or hand-deliver to the Title Bureau at 500 Clinton Center Drive, Clinton, MS 39056; DOR processes it within 72 hours of receipt, though FedEx and UPS are not accepted and mail time is not counted.
- Online through e-Services. Licensed dealers and designated agents submit title applications through the DOR e-Services portal, upload supporting data, and pay electronically, which is faster for high-volume filers.
For every channel, keep a front-and-back copy of the signed title and your payment receipt. That paper trail is your only proof if the title is lost in transit.
What Happens After You File
Once DOR accepts your application, the state records you as the legal owner and begins producing the certificate of title. A standard paper title prints and mails within 3 to 4 weeks, while a Fast-Track title issues within 72 hours of the state receiving it. Electronic lien titles are issued the next business day, and the lender, not you, holds the electronic record until the loan is paid.
If a document is missing or a field is wrong, DOR mails a notice asking for the fix, which pauses the clock until you respond. A vehicle with an existing loan held by another state will see the title application held until that prior state surrenders the title to Mississippi. During that hold you can still register and drive the vehicle with your plate, but the title itself waits.
When the title arrives, check every field against your vehicle and ID. If you spot an error the state made, return it to the county and ask for a corrected title at no charge; if the error came from your paperwork, the correction costs $10. Store the title somewhere safe and never in the glove box, because a lost title means a $9 replacement and lost time.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out Form 78-002
Small errors on this form cause big delays. Watch for each of these.
- Mixing up letters and numbers in the VIN. The title prints with the wrong VIN and you must file a corrected title.
- Leaving the odometer line blank. Federal law requires the reading, so DOR rejects the application outright.
- Understating the purchase price. This can trigger a tax audit and penalties for underpayment.
- Using a nickname instead of your legal name. The title will not match your ID at renewal or resale.
- Choosing the wrong “and/or” connector for joint owners. Heirs may be forced through probate to transfer the vehicle later.
- Misspelling or omitting the lienholder. DOR holds the title until the lien is recorded correctly.
- Writing an old or out-of-county address. The title mails to the wrong place and your ad valorem tax may be miscalculated.
- Missing the 30-business-day deadline. Late penalties accrue and new residents face a flat $250 penalty.
- Accepting a title with the buyer name left blank. This is illegal in Mississippi and voids the transfer.
- Forgetting to sign or have a co-owner sign. An unsigned application is not valid and gets sent back.
- Skipping the bill of sale. The county cannot verify price and tax, stalling the filing.
- Sending a Fast-Track application by FedEx or UPS. Those carriers are not accepted, so it drops to regular processing with no refund.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do print in black ink and all capital letters, because the scanner and clerk must read every character cleanly.
- Do copy the VIN directly from the vehicle, since the metal plate is the true source and old titles can carry typos.
- Do file within 30 business days, to avoid late penalties and the $250 new-resident fee.
- Do keep front-and-back copies of the signed title, so you have proof if anything is lost in transit.
- Do bring valid photo ID, because the clerk verifies your identity before filing.
- Do confirm your county of residence, since it sets your ad valorem tax rate.
Don’t:
- Don’t leave the buyer’s name blank to fill in later, because that violates Mississippi law and voids the title.
- Don’t understate the purchase price, as DOR compares it to value guides and can audit you.
- Don’t guess the odometer reading, since a false statement is a federal offense.
- Don’t use white-out on the title or form, because alterations make the document suspect and may be rejected.
- Don’t mail Fast-Track requests by private courier, since only U.S. Mail or hand delivery qualifies.
- Don’t drive the vehicle without registration, which is illegal even while the title is processing.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most Mississippians file Form 78-002 themselves at the county counter, but some use a dealer or agent. Weigh the trade-offs.
Pros of filing on your own:
- You save the dealer or service fee, keeping cost near the $9 base.
- You control accuracy, since you check every field yourself.
- You learn the process, which helps for future vehicles.
- You avoid third-party delays, filing on your own schedule.
- You keep your documents in hand, reducing the risk of lost paperwork.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You bear every error, and a mistake means corrected-title fees and delays.
- You spend time at the counter, which can mean a long wait.
- You must learn the tax math, including the 5% rate and exemptions.
- You handle lien coordination yourself, which is tricky with out-of-state lenders.
- You risk missing the deadline, if life gets in the way of the 30-day window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Form 78-002 the same as registering my vehicle?
No. A title proves ownership, while registration gives you a license plate; you usually apply for both at the county Tax Collector at the same time, but they are separate steps.
Do I write my nickname or legal name in the owner field?
No. Use your full legal name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license, because the title must match your ID at renewal and resale or it creates problems.
Is the odometer box required on every used car?
No. Vehicles 20 model years old or older are exempt, but every newer vehicle must show the mileage, and a blank line on a non-exempt car causes rejection.
Should I pick “AND” or “OR” between two owner names?
Yes, choose on purpose; “OR” lets either owner sign and eases transfer at death, while “AND” requires both signatures and can force heirs through probate.
Do I list a lienholder if I paid the car off?
No. Leave it blank only after attaching the prior lender’s release, or the old lien will carry onto your new Mississippi title.
Is sales tax owed on a private-party sale?
Yes. Mississippi charges 5% sales tax on individual-to-individual vehicle sales, calculated at the county window from your bill of sale.
Do I have to file within a certain time?
Yes. You have 30 business days from the purchase date, and new residents who miss it face standard late penalties plus a flat $250 penalty.
Is the title fee really only $9?
Yes. The standard motor vehicle title fee is $9, though a $1 designated agent fee and your taxes and registration fees apply on top.
Can I get my title faster than 3 to 4 weeks?
Yes. Pay the extra $30 Fast-Track fee and mail or hand-deliver to the Clinton Title Bureau, and DOR issues the title within 72 hours of receipt.
Do I credit tax I already paid to another state?
No. Mississippi does not credit sales tax paid to another state, so you pay the full Mississippi use tax when you title an out-of-state purchase.
Is a P.O. Box allowed in the address field?
Yes, for mailing, but you must also give your physical address because the vehicle is registered in the county where it is parked overnight.
Can I fix a name typo on the title for free?
No. If the error came from your paperwork, a corrected title costs $10; only errors made by the county or state are corrected at no charge.
Do both joint owners have to sign the application?
Yes. Every owner listed on the title must sign and date Form 78-002, and a missing co-owner signature voids the certification.
Is a bill of sale really necessary?
Yes. The bill of sale documents your price and date so the county can calculate tax, and without it the filing can stall.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Alabama Application for Certificate of Title (MVT 5-1) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Alabama Application for Replacement Title (MVT 12-1) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Mississippi DOR Application for Duplicate Title (Form 78-006) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Mississippi DOR Odometer Disclosure Statement + FAQs
- How to Fill Out a Mississippi DOR Vehicle Bill of Sale (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Mississippi DOR Vehicle Registration Application (Form 78-002) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs