Private-sale title transfers go through the Travis tax office

Buying a car off a neighbor or a Craigslist seller in Travis County isn't done when the cash changes hands. The title has to go into the buyer's name within 30 days of the sale date. Drag past that window and delinquent transfer penalties start stacking up on the new owner.

Do the paperwork right and the counter visit is quick. The seller hands over a properly signed title with the sale date and odometer reading filled in, plus a signed Form 130-U showing the price you actually paid. The Travis County Tax Office handles titles and registration locally, and its visit page shows which branches do title transfers.

Sort the documents before you ever meet up. Show up with a clean, fully signed title and a matching 130-U and you're in and out in five minutes; show up short a signature and you're driving back across town.