Selling a personalised plate in North Carolina
In North Carolina a personalised plate can pass to an unrelated buyer by name. The holder signs a paper naming the person receiving the combination, and the state issues it to that person. What that paper is, what it costs and how it can fail are set out below, with the source.
What the transfer involves
Straightforward — North Carolina has a named transfer
The seller signs form MVR-27N, which reads "I relinquish all of my rights to personalized plate ___ to ___" and names you. They hand the plate in at a plate agency and you apply for the combination.
Before you pay, know this
- You need a North Carolina-registered vehicle.
- The form has no notary and no receipt, so you have no proof the seller actually filed it. Do the paperwork together if you can.
- NCDMV says the recipient "may request" the combination — it is not automatic, and offensive-combination screening still applies.
We recommend using an escrow service
Money and paperwork move between you and the other party, in whichever order you agree. An independent escrow service holds the funds until the transfer is actually done. TagsTrader never holds your money and is not part of the payment — arranging escrow is up to the two of you, and it is the single best protection either side has.
This is a description, not advice. We are a match-maker: we introduce a buyer and a seller who would otherwise never find each other. The transfer itself is between you, the other party and your state authority. We are not a party to your sale, we hold no funds, we cannot make your state approve anything, and we do not guarantee any outcome. Rules and fees change without notice to us. Confirm the current process with your own state authority — and, where money or tax is involved, with your own adviser — before you pay anyone anything. Our basis: NCDMV form MVR-27N; N.C.G.S. § 20-79.4; 19A NCAC 03C .0427
What TagsTrader does and does not do
We are a match-maker: we introduce a buyer and a seller who would otherwise never find each other. Listing a plate is free. A buyer pays a fee to open contact with the seller, and nothing else.
We are not a party to your sale, we hold no funds, we cannot make your state approve anything, and we do not guarantee any outcome. The transfer itself is between you, the other party and your state authority. This page is a description, not advice: we publish no forms, templates or tax guidance.