North Dakota Century Code Title 39. Motor Vehicles § 39-05-17. Transfer of title of vehicle--Endorsement required--Certificate of title delivered--New certificate obtained--Penalty

1. The owner or transferor of a motor vehicle who transfers title to a vehicle shall endorse an assignment and warranty of title upon the certificate of title for the vehicle. The owner or transferor shall include on the assignment and warranty of title the name of the transferee and the selling price of the vehicle if applicable.

2. If legal title passes to the transferee, the owner shall deliver the endorsed certificate of title to the transferee within thirty days of the date the vehicle was purchased.

3. If legal title passes to a lienholder rather than the transferee, the transferee shall endorse a statement that the lienholder holds the lien and shall send the certificate of title to the department with an application for a new certificate of title showing the names of the new owner and lienholder. The certificate of title when issued must be sent by the department to the lienholder or the department may use an electronic lien notification procedure in lieu of sending a certificate of title to a lienholder.

4. Within thirty days of receiving the title, the transferee shall deliver the endorsed certificate of title to the department with a transfer fee of five dollars, and shall make an application for a new certificate of title. In addition to any other penalty, the registration to a motor vehicle may be suspended or revoked if the transferee fails to present the endorsed certificate of title to the department for transfer and make application for a new certificate of title within thirty days. The department shall deliver the new certificate of title to the lienholder with priority. If there is no lienholder, delivery must be made to the owner.

5. A violation of this section by an owner, lienholder, or transferee is a class B misdemeanor.