61-3-203. Fee for original certificate of title — disposition. (1) Until June 30, 2028, a person applying for a certificate of title shall pay the department, its authorized agent, or a county treasurer a fee of:

Terms Used In Montana Code 61-3-203

  • Authorized agent: means a person who has executed a written agreement with the department and is specifically authorized by the department to electronically access and update the department's motor vehicle titling, registration, or driver records, using an approved automated interface, for specific functions or purposes on behalf of a third party. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Bus: means a motor vehicle designed for carrying more than 10 passengers and used for the transportation of persons and any other motor vehicle, other than a taxicab, designed and used for the transportation of persons for compensation. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Certificate of title: means the paper record issued by the department or by the appropriate agency of another jurisdiction that establishes a verifiable record of ownership between an identified person or persons and the motor vehicle specifically described in the record and that provides notice of a perfected security interest in the motor vehicle. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Department: means the department of justice acting directly or through its duly authorized officers or agents. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Light vehicle: means a motor vehicle commonly referred to as an automobile, van, sport utility vehicle, or truck having a manufacturer's rated capacity of 1 ton or less. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • Motor vehicle: means :

    (i)a vehicle propelled by its own power and designed or used to transport persons or property on the highways of the state;

    (ii)a quadricycle if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9; or

    (iii)a golf cart only if it is equipped for use on the highways as prescribed in chapter 9 and is operated pursuant to 61-8-391 or by a person with a low-speed restricted driver's license. See Montana Code 61-1-101

  • person: means an individual, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, state agency, local government unit, another state government, the United States, a political subdivision of this or another state, or any other legal or commercial entity. See Montana Code 61-1-101
  • State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the territories. See Montana Code 1-1-201
  • Vehicle: means a device in, on, or by which any person or property may be transported or drawn on a public highway, except devices moved by animal power or used exclusively on stationary rails or tracks. See Montana Code 61-1-101

(a)$10 if the vehicle for which a certificate of title is sought is not a light vehicle or a truck or bus that weighs 1 ton or less; or

(b)$12 if the vehicle for which application is made is a light vehicle or a truck or bus that weighs 1 ton or less.

(2)The amount of $5 of the fee imposed pursuant to subsection (1) must be forwarded to the department for deposit in the motor vehicle information technology system account provided for in 61-3-550, and the remaining amount must be deposited in the state general fund.

(3)For expedited certificates of title, which may be issued only by the Montana motor vehicle division, the entirety of the fee imposed pursuant to subsection (1) must be deposited into the motor vehicle information technology system account provided for in 61-3-550.

(4)Beginning July 1, 2028, the fee imposed in subsection (1)(a) is $5 and the fee imposed in subsection (1)(b) is $7 and all fees paid pursuant to this section must be deposited in the state general fund.