LTO Transfer of Ownership Online
(2026 Step-by-Step Guide)
You buy or sell your vehicle, complete your payment and shake hands, that’s it? No! It’s not enough, your buying or selling doesn’t end here! In the Philippines you must transfer your vehicle to the new owner through the Land Transportation Office (LTO). it is necessary to avoid any violation and save yourself from penalty.
Through the LTMS portal, now you can do your major tasks of change of ownership online. In this guide you will know what LTO transfer of ownership is, what you can do online, the requirements, fees, and common problems to avoid any confusion. So keep reading to know everything. All vehicle transactions now require an active registration on the LTO Portal.
What Is LTO Transfer of Ownership?
Actually, transfer of ownership is the process through which you change your ownership and make the other person legal owner of your vehicle who is buying it. You have the same process for cars and motorcycles.
When you have transferred your ownership then the buyer becomes the legal owner of your vehicle. Your vehicle records are updated in the LTO system and you are not responsible for the violation and penalty.
So, it means changing the vehicle’s Certificate of Registration (CR) from the seller’s name to the buyer’s name is the most important step. Now, in 2026 “Registered Owner Rules” are strictly followed. If the vehicle is used in an accident, traffic violation, or crime, the person whose name is written on the CR will be responsible for the vehicle.
You can now transfer ownership via LTMS portal but it is not 100% done online. You have to visit the LTO office for physical tasks like vehicle inspection, documents verification and release of updated OR/CR.
You What you can do online:
- Create an LTMS account
- Encode vehicle and owner details
- Upload required documents
- Check transaction status
To begin the transfer, the buyer must first list your vehicle in the LTMS portal records.
LTO Transfer of Ownership From 2nd Owner
If you are buying a car from a second owner, it means the car has already been sold once before. The process is almost the same as a first transfer, but you must be extra careful with the papers. The most important rule is this: the name on the LTO Certificate of Registration (CR) must match the seller’s name.
If the seller’s name is not the same as the name on the CR, the transfer can be delayed or rejected.
What You Must Check First
Before starting the transfer, you have to check these points:
- The CR is already under the second owner’s name
- The Deed of Sale is signed by the current owner (2nd owner)
- The OR and CR are original and updated
- The vehicle has no alarms, violations, or unpaid penalties
Required Documents for 2nd Owner Transfer
You will need the same basic documents, but they must come from the current registered owner:
- Original Certificate of Registration (CR) (under 2nd owner’s name)
- Original Official Receipt (OR) (latest year)
- Notarized Deed of Absolute Sale (from 2nd owner to you)
- Valid Government IDs of both buyer and seller
- PNP-HPG Clearance
- MVIR from an LTO-accredited PMVIC
- Updated CTPL Insurance in the buyer’s name
Important Reminder About “Open Deed of Sale”
If the car is still under the first owner’s name and was never transferred to the second owner, it is called an open deed of sale. It is risky and not allowed in 2026 under LTO rules.
In this case:
- The second owner must transfer the car to their name first
- Only after that can it be sold to you
If you skip this step it can cause penalties, delays, or rejection. You can verify the current registration status and check plate number in LTO online.
LTO Transfer of Ownership Requirements (2026 Checklist)
Before visiting the portal to change ownership, you have to prepare all the required documents and details to put in the ownership form. Here is the list of important documents you need to prepare.
Basic Documents
- Original Certificate of Registration (CR): The CR shows your vehicle’s full details. You can think of it as the car’s birth record.
- Original Official Receipt (OR): You need OR that is the most recent proof that the vehicle registration was paid.
- Notarized Deed of Absolute Sale: A signed document from both of you buyer and seller. It presents the vehicle details and sale date. The 20-day transfer period starts from this date.
- Two (2) Valid Government IDs: Both the seller and the buyer must provide two valid IDs. If possible, one ID should be a driver’s license. If not, three sample signatures are usually required on the ID copy.
Technical Clearances
- PNP-HPG Motor Vehicle Clearance: This clearance confirms that the vehicle you have is not stolen. For this you must visit the PNP-HPG office so they can check and stencil the engine and chassis numbers.
- MVIR (Motor Vehicle Inspection Report): You visit the LTO-accredited PMVIC, they issue the report after complete examination of your vehicle.
- CTPL Insurance: It must be updated and issued in the buyer’s name.
- Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN): Both the seller and the buyer must provide their TIN for record purposes.
If the previous owner lost their login info, they must retrieve LTO portal account access to approve the transfer.
How to Transfer Ownership Online through LTMS Portal
If you have prepared your documents and completed your vehicle inspection then you move to its transfer of ownership via LTO Portal. Here is the step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Create or Log In to Your LTMS Account
- To be very first, you have an active LTO portal account.
- Go to the LTMS website and login with your registered number and password.
- If you don’t have an account yet then go for our complete guide on LTO Portal registration.
Step 2: Encode Vehicle Information
- Now in the next step, enter the plate number and basic vehicle details according to the OR/CR.
Step 3: Upload Required Documents
Now, on the documents verification form upload clear photos or scans of your documents including:
- Deed of Sale
- OR/CR
- Valid IDs
Step 4: Pay Transfer Fees
Now you pay online through your valid account number. You can also pay fees at the LTO office, it depends on the system instruction.
Step 5: Visit LTO Office (If Required)
If they want physical verification, then you have to visit LTO or because some transactions are at the office. So, bring your original documents during the visit.
LTO Transfer of Ownership Fees (2026)
The transfer of ownership cost depends on your vehicle type whether it is car or motorcycle, and also depends on your location from where you are buying or selling. The change of ownership price list is here:
lto transfer of ownership motorcycle fee
Fee Type | Estimated Cost |
Transfer Fee (Weight-based) | ₱150 – ₱300 |
PNP-HPG Clearance | ₱300 – ₱500 |
Computer Fee | ₱169 |
Legal Research Fee | ₱10 |
MVIR (Inspection Fee) | ₱150 – ₱250 |
CTPL Insurance (1 year) | ₱1,500 – ₱3,000 |
Late Penalty (if >20 days late) | ₱5,000+ |
Total Estimated Cost is ₱2,279 – ₱4,219+
Transfer of Ownership Car Fees
Fee Type | Estimated Cost |
Transfer Fee (Weight-based) | ₱300 – ₱500 |
PNP-HPG Clearance | ₱300 – ₱500 |
Computer Fee | ₱169 |
Legal Research Fee | ₱10 |
MVIR (Inspection Fee) | ₱200 – ₱300 |
CTPL Insurance (1 year) | ₱3,000 – ₱6,000 |
Late Penalty (if >20 days late) | ₱5,000+ |
Total Estimated Cost (Car): ₱3,979 – ₱7,979+
How to Transfer Ownership at LTO Office?
If you face issues processing it online and require to visit the LTO office then here is the guide for your ease.
Step 1: Seller Reports the Sale Online
If you are a seller you should login your portal and report the sale to the system within 5 days after selling the vehicle. It protects you from future violations linked to your vehicle.
Step 2: Get PNP-HPG Clearance
Now after reporting to the LTMS you have to bring your vehicle to a PNP-HPG office for inspection. They will check the engine and chassis numbers. Your vehicle’s clearance is usually valid for 7 to 20 days, basically it depends on your location but 7 to 20 days is the standard time period.
Step 3: Complete PMVIC Inspection
Now you have to visit an LTO-approved PMVIC to get the MVIR. It is important for confirmation that your vehicle is safe to use on the road.
Step 4: Visit the LTO District Office
Go to the LTO branch where you registered your vehicle first (called the Mother File). If your car or motorcycle is already listed in LTMS, it can be proceeded by other district offices.
Step 5: Document Check and Payment
Now you have to submit all your documents to the LTO evaluator. They verify them and after approval, you will pay the required fees at the cashier.
Step 6: Release of New OR and CR
After payment and verification, the LTO will issue a new Certificate of Registration (CR) under the buyer’s name and a matching Official Receipt (OR).
Common transfer of ownership issues & Fixes
Record Not Found:
This situation generally arises when the vehicle has not been entered into the system. You can request for a “Record Migration” by visiting the branch where the record originally came from.
Signature Mismatch:
A very strict procedure exists regarding the signature comparison on the Deed of Sale and the IDs. If there is any dissimilarity then LTO will not allow the transfer.
Encumbered Status:
It is a prerequisite to present a Cancellation of Chattel Mortgage from the bank and the Registry of Deeds if the CR states “Encumbered.”
Unreadable Uploads:
There is a possibility that your photos of documents which you have uploaded are not clear and readable. Due to this issue your process can be delayed.
LTMS System Errors:
There can be issues with your internet connection and load on the LTMS website, you have to wait and you can try it later after some time
Important Tips
- Transfer ownership as soon as possible after sale
- Do not rely on open deeds of sale
- Keep copies of all documents
- Check for unpaid violations before buying
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I transfer ownership with an expired registration?
Yes, but you must pay the registration renewal fees and late penalties simultaneously with the transfer fees.
Can I lto car transfer of ownership with late renewal?
Yes. You can transfer ownership but you have to pay the late registration fees and penalties before LTO will process it.
How many days to process the transfer of ownership of car?
If all documents and required details are complete,then it will take 1 to 3 working days. If there are some missing documents it can cause delays in the process.
Can I change ownership online?
You just start the process online via portal but for verification and your vehicle inspection you must visit the office.
How much is the transfer of name in LTO?
Its basic fee is usually ₱100 to ₱300 if you do not have any other extra charges.
Did LTO suspend transfer of ownership?
No. LTO did not stop transfer of ownership. The service is still available.
What is the penalty for transfer of ownership in LTO?
There is no direct penalty. But problems can happen if the vehicle is still under the old owner’s name.
How to transfer ownership of a vehicle?
Prepare a notarized Deed of Sale, OR/CR, and valid IDs. Start the process in the LTMS Portal, then visit LTO if needed.
