How Kansas Handles Manufactured Home Titles
In Kansas, the Kansas Division of Vehicles (Kansas DOV) is responsible for issuing and transferring manufactured home titles. Kansas processes manufactured home titles at county treasurer offices, not at the state Division of Vehicles directly. Each Kansas county has a treasurer that handles title and registration. The Division of Vehicles sets the rules; county treasurers execute the transactions.
Before filing anything, call Kansas DOV at (785) 296-3621 and describe your situation. Their staff can confirm which current form version you need and whether your documents are complete — a 10-minute call that prevents weeks of delay from a rejected submission.
Required Forms
| Form | Purpose |
|---|---|
| TR-212a | Kansas Application for Certificate of Title — manufactured homes included |
| TR-39 | Notice of Security Interest Filing |
| Lien Release (lender form) | Required if a lender is listed on the current title — must be obtained from the lender and submitted with the transfer |
| Heirship / Small Estate Affidavit | Used when transferring after the owner’s death if the estate qualifies under Kansas’s small estate threshold |
Step-by-Step: Standard Sale Transfer
- Obtain the current title from the seller — The seller’s name on the title must match their government-issued ID exactly. Check for any lienholder listed on the front of the title document.
- Have the seller sign the title assignment section — The seller signs the back of the title in the designated assignment area. If two names appear on the title, both must sign unless the title specifies survivorship rights (e.g., “or” vs. “and”).
- Resolve any liens — If a lender is listed, obtain a signed lien release before filing. Kansas DOV will not issue a clean title while an active lien is recorded.
- Complete the transfer application (TR-212a) — Fill in all required fields. Download the current version from the agency’s official website on the day you file — forms change periodically.
- Submit to Kansas DOV — File in person at the appropriate office or by mail. Include all forms, the original signed title, and payment.
- Receive new title — Kansas DOV issues a new title in the buyer’s name. Store it securely — replacement titles take additional time and fees.
Fee Schedule (2025)
| Transaction Type | Estimated Fee |
|---|---|
| Standard title transfer (sale) | $10 title fee |
| Duplicate / replacement title | Typically $10–$50 |
| Estate / heirship transfer | Same as standard transfer fee |
| Lien filing (new lender) | $2–$15 |
| Estimated total | $35–$90 |
Always confirm current fees with Kansas DOV at (785) 296-3621 before filing — fee schedules change.
Timeline in Kansas
County treasurer offices process in-person submissions in 1–3 business days. Mail: 2–4 weeks.
Documents Required for Every Transfer
- Current title document (original — not a photocopy)
- Completed TR-212a (downloaded from Kansas DOV website on day of filing)
- Government-issued photo ID for all signing parties
- Lien release from lender (if lienholder listed on title)
- Payment for fees
- For estate transfers: certified death certificate + signed heirship affidavit
Frequently Asked Questions
Kansas manufactured homes are taxed as real property when permanently affixed to owned land and the title is surrendered to the county. Otherwise they are taxed as personal property. The county appraiser determines the classification. This affects not just taxes but also how the home transfers in an estate.
Kansas allows a small estate affidavit for estates under $40,000. This applies to manufactured home estate transfers qualifying under this threshold.
Never pay in full for a home with an active lien without a formal arrangement to clear it. The safest approach is to use an escrow: the seller's loan is paid off from the purchase price at closing, the lender releases the lien simultaneously, and only then does the title transfer to you. Contact Kansas DOV at (785) 296-3621 to confirm the lien status using the home's serial number before committing to any purchase.
File a duplicate title application with Kansas DOV using form TR-212a or the state's specific duplicate title form. You will need the home's serial number (found on the HUD data plate inside a cabinet or on the steel chassis frame), your photo ID, and payment of the duplicate fee. If there is a lienholder on the title, most states send the duplicate to the lienholder unless they provide written consent for you to receive it.
Related: After-Death Transfers · Lien Release Guide · Lost Title · Path Finder Tool