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Mobile Home Title Transfer Master Checklist

Every document, form, and step for the most common transfer situations — with state-specific addendums for Texas, California, Florida, Arizona, and North Carolina. Check off items as you go, then print.

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Check off items below as you gather documents, or click Print to get a paper copy.

Universal Checklist — All Transfers

Required for virtually every manufactured home title transfer, regardless of state or situation.

Current title document (original)The existing state title certificate, Statement of Ownership, or equivalent. Must be the original — not a photocopy.
Home serial numberFound on the HUD data plate (inside cabinet), steel frame chassis, or prior paperwork. Required on every form.
Government-issued photo ID (all signing parties)Driver's license or passport for seller, buyer, or heir — whichever applies to your situation.
Completed state transfer application formDownload the current version directly from the state agency website on the day you file.
Payment for feesCheck, money order, or (at some offices) debit/credit card. Verify accepted payment methods before going in person.
Verified lien statusCall the state agency with the serial number to confirm whether any lien is recorded — even if you believe the title is clean.

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Situation-Specific Items

Select your situation for the additional items you need:

Seller's signature on title assignment sectionMust match the registered owner name exactly. Both owners must sign if two names appear on the title.
Bill of saleRecommended in all states; required in some. Documents purchase price, date, both parties' names, and home description.
Confirmed purchase price for tax purposesSome states calculate transfer fees or taxes as a percentage of sale price. Have the agreed price documented.
Lien release (if lienholder on title)Obtain from the lender in writing before or at time of transfer. The lender must sign the state's lien release form.
Tax clearance (Texas and some other states)Proof that property taxes are current. Obtain from county appraisal district. Texas requires this before TDHCA will process.
Certified copy of death certificateIssued by county clerk or vital statistics. Not a photocopy — must have a raised seal or security features.
Heirship affidavit (state-specific form)Signed and notarized by all heirs. All signatures must match legal names. Do not sign before the notary.
Wait period satisfied30 days in most states; 40 days in California. Date of death to date of filing must meet this minimum.
All heirs identified and willing to signIf any heir with a legal interest refuses, the affidavit path is unavailable — probate may be required.
Lien release if outstanding loan existsLoan must be paid off and a signed lien release obtained before or simultaneously with the estate transfer.
Estate value confirmed below state thresholdThe affidavit path requires the home's value to be below the state's small estate threshold (e.g., $75,000 in TX, $184,500 in CA).
Loan payoff confirmation in writingGet a written payoff confirmation or final statement from the lender. Keep a copy permanently.
Signed lien release from lenderState-specific form (e.g., TDHCA MH202 in TX, HCD LR-1 in CA) or an official lender letter meeting state requirements.
Lien release application (state form)Some states require you to file a separate lien release application with the title agency, separate from the lender's release document.
If lender is gone: surety bond or court orderFor closed or unresponsive lenders, arrange a surety bond through a licensed bond company, or pursue a quiet title action in court.
Home serial number confirmedEssential for duplicate title application. Find on HUD data plate, chassis frame, county assessor records, or prior loan documents.
Completed duplicate title application (notarized)Most states require notarization for lost title applications. Sign in front of a notary — not before.
Lienholder consent (if lien on title)If a lender is listed, most states send the duplicate to the lienholder unless written consent is provided. Contact lender first.
Payment for duplicate feeFL: $75.75 + $2.50. TX: $55. CA: $15. Varies by state — verify current fee before filing.
Proof of land ownership (deed)Must own the land to convert. Provide a copy of the land deed showing same owner as the home title.
Lien release — all liens on title cleared firstAll outstanding loans on the manufactured home title must be paid off and formally released before conversion.
Affidavit of Affixture / Permanence (state form)CA: Form 433A. AZ/VA: Affidavit of Affixture. TX: Certificate of Permanent Location. Name varies by state.
Foundation certification (if required)Some lenders and states require an engineer's certification that the home is on a permanent HUD-compliant foundation.
County recorder filingThe affixture document is recorded with the county recorder of the county where the property is located. Fees apply ($15–$50 typical).
Title surrender to state agencyAfter county recording, the original title must be surrendered to (or retired by) the state title agency to complete the conversion.
Certified copy of divorce decreeMust specifically name the manufactured home (with serial number if possible) and designate who receives it.
Departing spouse's signature on transfer formMost agencies require actual signature from the transferring party — decree alone is usually not sufficient to process without their signature.
Gift affidavit (if gifting, not divorce)Notarized affidavit stating the transfer is a gift with no payment. Protects both parties and may qualify for fee reductions.
Lien resolution planOutstanding loans must be addressed — refinance in one spouse's name alone, pay off, or confirm lender approval of assumption.

State-Specific Addendum

Select your state for additional state-specific items:

Texas — TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division(512) 475-2200 · tdhca.state.tx.us
TDHCA Form MH001 — Statement of Ownership ApplicationPrimary transfer form. Download current version from tdhca.state.tx.us/mh on day of filing.
Tax certificate from county appraisal districtRequired — confirms ad valorem taxes are current. Contact your county CAD before filing with TDHCA.
HUD label number confirmedTDHCA requires the HUD label number (found on exterior metal plate) on all applications. Different from the serial number.
Estate only: TDHCA Form MH206 (Heirship Affidavit)For estates under $75,000 without probate. All heirs must sign before a notary.
Lien release: TDHCA Form MH202Or a lender letter meeting TDHCA specifications. Must reference the home's label number.
California — HCD Occupational Licensing and Registration(800) 952-8356 · hcd.ca.gov
HCD Form 476.5 — Manufactured Home Sale ApplicationStandard transfer form for personal property sales. Confirm you need 476.5 (not 480 — that is for combined land/home transactions).
HCD decal number confirmedHCD tracks homes by decal number (not serial number alone). Find the decal sticker near the home's entrance.
Fee quote from HCD before filingCall (800) 952-8356 with your decal number and purchase price for an accurate fee total — HCD's fee structure is complex.
In-person at HCD district office if time-sensitiveMail processing: 6–14 weeks in 2025. District offices: Sacramento, Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakland.
Real property conversion: HCD Form 433AFiled with county recorder, then title surrendered to HCD. Different from Form 476.5.
Florida — DHSMV via County Tax Collector(850) 617-2000 · flhsmv.gov
Florida Certificate of Title — signed by sellerFor doublewides: two separate title certificates (one per section). Both must be signed and filed.
Current mobile home annual registration (sticker)Florida charges registration separately from the title. Overdue registration = back fees owed before transfer processes.
File at correct county tax collector officeDHSMV mobile home titles are filed at the county tax collector, not a driver's license office. Find yours at flhsmv.gov/offices.
Lost title: HSMV 82101 (notarized)Duplicate title form requires notarization. Sign at county tax collector (free) or before any Florida notary.
Sales tax: confirm private sale exemption appliesPrivate party sales of residential mobile homes are generally exempt from Florida sales tax. Dealer sales are not. Confirm with FL DOR.
Arizona — Arizona Department of Housing (ADOH)(602) 771-1000 · housing.az.gov
ADOH Title Application form — current versionDownload from housing.az.gov on day of filing. ADOH updates forms periodically.
Arizona real property conversion: Affidavit of AffixtureRecorded with county recorder. Arizona has a well-developed affixture process — call ADOH for current requirements.
Confirm in-person vs. mail filing preferenceIn-person at ADOH Phoenix office is significantly faster than mail (same-day to 1 week vs. 2–6 weeks).
North Carolina — NC DMV(919) 715-7000 · ncdot.gov/dmv
NC Form MVR-1 — Certificate of Title ApplicationStandard NC DMV title form, used for manufactured homes as well as vehicles.
File at DMV — not at county register of deedsNC DMV handles personal property MH titles. County register of deeds is involved only for real property conversion.
Real property conversion: county register of deeds + DMVTwo-step process: record the conversion document at the county register of deeds, then notify DMV to retire the title.
NC small estate threshold: $20,000 general / $30,000 surviving spouseNorth Carolina's threshold is lower than most states. Estates above this level require formal administration.

Before You Submit — Final Checks

All signatures match names on current title exactlyMismatched names (e.g., "Bob" vs. "Robert") are a leading rejection cause. Verify character-by-character.
Forms are current versions (downloaded today)Never use forms printed months ago or obtained from unofficial sources.
Originals, not copies (for title and death certificate)State agencies require original documents — certified copies for death certificates, originals for title certificates.
Called the agency to confirm completenessA 15-minute call before filing catches the errors that cause 3-week delays. Do this every time.
Fees confirmed — have payment readyVerify accepted payment methods (check, money order, card) before arriving in person.
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