How North Dakota Handles Manufactured Home Titles
In North Dakota, the North Dakota Department of Transportation — Motor Vehicle (ND DOT) is responsible for issuing and transferring manufactured home titles. North Dakota has one of the lowest title fees nationally at just $5. Manufactured home titles are processed at county tax director offices statewide. North Dakota also has a unique provision where manufactured homes on permanent foundations with surrendered titles are treated identically to site-built homes for property tax and financing purposes.
Before filing anything, call ND DOT at (701) 328-2725 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 |
|---|---|
| SFN 2872 | North Dakota Application for Certificate of Title |
| SFN 18609 | Lien Release Statement |
| 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 North Dakota’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. ND DOT will not issue a clean title while an active lien is recorded.
- Complete the transfer application (SFN 2872) — 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 ND DOT — File in person at the appropriate office or by mail. Include all forms, the original signed title, and payment.
- Receive new title — ND DOT 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) | $5 title fee |
| Duplicate / replacement title | Typically $10–$50 |
| Estate / heirship transfer | Same as standard transfer fee |
| Lien filing (new lender) | $2–$15 |
| Estimated total | $25–$70 |
Always confirm current fees with ND DOT at (701) 328-2725 before filing — fee schedules change.
Timeline in North Dakota
County tax director offices: 1–3 business days in-person. Mail: 2–4 weeks.
Documents Required for Every Transfer
- Current title document (original — not a photocopy)
- Completed SFN 2872 (downloaded from ND DOT 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
Manufactured homes on tribal trust land in North Dakota may be subject to tribal jurisdiction rather than state DMV jurisdiction for title purposes. Contact the ND DOT and the relevant tribe before filing.
North Dakota allows a small estate affidavit for estates under $50,000. This is sufficient for most manufactured home estate transfers in the state.
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 ND DOT at (701) 328-2725 to confirm the lien status using the home's serial number before committing to any purchase.
File a duplicate title application with ND DOT using form SFN 2872 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