The change of ownership of a registration certificate refers to the administrative procedure that transfers a registration certificate from the seller to the buyer of a used vehicle. This process, mandatory within one month after purchase, is carried out exclusively online since the removal of counters in prefectures.
Access to the SIV: a stricter framework for authorized professionals
Most guides focus on the procedure from the buyer’s side, without mentioning that the conditions imposed on professional intermediaries have changed. An order dated July 1, 2025, has raised the requirements for garages and private platforms accessing the Vehicle Registration System (SIV).
The new obligations include at least one year of activity in the automotive sector, a dedicated premises, a clean criminal record for each employee with access to the SIV, and a digital file archiving in compliance with the NF Z 42-020 standard.
Since August 1, 2026, these professionals must also justify three years of experience, explicitly renew their agreement (removal of automatic renewals), and achieve a minimum annual volume of files. In practice, the possibility of delegating a change of ownership registration certificate on Auto l’Hebdo goes through actors who meet these enhanced criteria.
For the buyer, this evolution means a stricter selection of available platforms. Checking that the provider displays their authorization number issued by the Ministry of the Interior remains the most reliable reflex before entrusting them with their file.
Procedures for changing the ownership of a registration certificate: the online process
The request is made on the ANTS (National Agency for Secure Titles) website or through an authorized professional. Two channels, one goal: to obtain a new registration certificate in the buyer’s name.
Documents to gather before initiating the request
The file relies on documents provided by both the seller and the buyer. Here are the required elements for a transaction between individuals:
- The certificate of transfer (Cerfa form 15776), completed and signed by both parties, which formalizes the transfer of ownership.
- The old registration certificate crossed out by the seller, bearing the mention “sold on” followed by the date and time, accompanied by their signature.
- A transfer code provided by the seller after declaring the sale on the ANTS website, necessary for the buyer to initiate their own request.
- A proof of residence dated within the last six months, a valid identification document, and a driving license corresponding to the vehicle category.
- A technical inspection report dated within the last six months (less than two months if a re-inspection has been prescribed), mandatory for any vehicle over four years old.
Procedure flow on the ANTS
The buyer logs into their account on the ANTS website, selects the process “buy or receive a used vehicle” and enters the transfer code. They then upload the digitized supporting documents.
Once the request is validated, a provisional registration certificate (CPI) is generated. This document allows legal circulation for one month, while waiting for the definitive registration certificate to arrive by mail at the indicated address.
Cost of the registration certificate during a change of ownership
The total cost of a change of ownership depends on several cumulative components. Contrary to popular belief, the price varies significantly depending on the region and the fiscal power of the vehicle.
Components of the registration tax
The invoice breaks down into several lines:
- The regional tax, calculated by multiplying the fiscal power of the vehicle (indicated on the registration certificate, section P.6) by the unit price of the fiscal horse set by each regional council. This rate varies by region.
- The management fee, flat-rate, which covers the processing costs of the file.
- The delivery fee, also flat-rate, corresponding to the secure sending of the registration certificate to the home address.
- The ecological penalty, applicable only during the first registration in France. For a used vehicle already registered in the territory, this tax is generally not due.
Possible exemptions
Some categories of vehicles benefit from a partial or total exemption from the regional tax. Clean vehicles (electric, hydrogen) are exempt in most regions. Vehicles over ten years old sometimes benefit from a reduction in the amount of the regional tax, depending on the deliberations of the relevant regional council.
Common errors and registration certificate file blocks
The most common reason for rejection on the ANTS remains an inconsistency between the certificate of transfer and the information entered online. A date error, a miscopied form number, or a misspelled name is enough to block the request for several weeks.
The transfer code also regularly poses problems. If the seller does not declare the sale within fifteen days, the buyer does not receive this code and cannot finalize their process. Promptly following up with the seller avoids this blockage.
Another pitfall: an expired technical inspection at the time of file submission results in an automatic rejection. The validity date is assessed on the day of the online request, not on the day of signing the certificate of transfer. Anticipating the renewal before submitting the file remains the simplest precaution.
The actual processing time on the ANTS varies. During peak periods, several weeks may pass between submission and receipt of the definitive registration certificate. The CPI covers this period, but its one-month duration does not leave a comfortable margin in case of an incomplete file returned for correction.