Transferring the Registration Certificate is the step that actually completes a vehicle sale. Until the buyer's name is on the RC, the seller can remain linked to challans and liabilities. The good news: in 2026 most of it can be started online through the government's Parivahan portal, and the offline route at the RTO is well-trodden too.
Documents you'll need
- Original Registration Certificate (RC)
- Valid insurance certificate
- Valid Pollution Under Control (PUC) certificate
- ID and address proof of both buyer and seller (Aadhaar, etc.)
- Passport-size photographs of the buyer
- The signed sale agreement
- Form 29 (notice of transfer) and Form 30 (report of transfer)
- NOC from the financier if the vehicle was on loan (hypothecation)
Tip: if there's a loan recorded on the RC, get a clearance/NOC from the bank first. The transfer will not go through with an active hypothecation entry.
Transferring RC online via Parivahan
- Go to the Parivahan Vahan services portal and select your state/RTO.
- Choose Transfer of Ownership under the vehicle services menu and enter the registration and chassis details.
- Fill the transfer application (this maps to Form 30) and upload the required documents.
- Pay the transfer fee online and book a slot if your RTO requires document verification or vehicle inspection.
- Track the application status online; once approved, the updated RC is issued in the buyer's name.
The exact screens vary slightly by state, but the flow is consistent: identify the vehicle, submit the transfer application, upload documents, pay, and verify.
Transferring RC offline at the RTO
- Collect the transfer forms (Form 29 and Form 30) — available at the RTO or downloadable from Parivahan.
- Both parties fill and sign; on Form 25/30 the chassis-number pencil impression may be required in some states.
- Submit the forms with the document set at the RTO where the vehicle is registered.
- Pay the fee at the counter and complete any inspection.
- Collect (or receive by post) the new RC in the buyer's name.
Fees & timelines
Transfer fees are modest and vary by state and vehicle class (typically a few hundred rupees for two-wheelers and somewhat more for cars). What matters more than the fee is the 14-day window for the seller to file the notice of transfer — miss it and you remain exposed. Processing usually takes a few working days to a couple of weeks depending on the RTO's load and whether inspection is needed.
Don't wait: the longer the RC sits in the seller's name, the longer the seller carries the risk. Start the paperwork on the day of sale, not "later".
Special cases
Interstate move: a vehicle kept in another state beyond 12 months generally needs re-registration there under Section 47 of the Motor Vehicles Act, which means a No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the original RTO first.
Inheritance: transfer on the death of the owner needs the death certificate and succession documents.
Auction/repossession: needs the sale certificate from the auctioning authority or financier.
Useful official links
Always confirm current rules, fees and forms on the official portals:
Start the transfer with the right paperwork.
DealerDocs helps you prepare the sale agreement and Form 29/30 documents to support your RC transfer checklist.
Get launch updateFrequently asked questions
Can I transfer RC fully online?
Much of it — application, document upload and payment — can be done online via Parivahan. Some states still require an in-person verification or inspection step at the RTO.
Who applies for the transfer, buyer or seller?
The seller files the notice of transfer (Form 29/30) within 14 days; the buyer typically drives the transfer-of-ownership application to get the RC in their name. Both have a role.
What if there's a loan on the vehicle?
You need a No Objection Certificate from the financier to remove the hypothecation before the ownership can transfer.