On a Texas vehicle title held by two people, the small word printed between the two names decides who has to sign. If the names are joined by “and,” both owners must sign to transfer the vehicle. If they are joined by “or” or “and/or,” either owner can sign alone. That single detail is how to sign a Texas title with two owners, and matching it exactly is the difference between a clean transfer and a rejected packet at the county tax office.
And, Or, and And/Or: What the Connector Means
Look at the front of the title where the owners’ names appear. Between those names sits one of three connectors, and each carries real legal weight.
- “And” between the names. Both owners must sign the assignment on the back of the title and both must sign Form 130-U. Neither owner can sell the vehicle alone. If one owner refuses to cooperate, the other cannot force the sale without a court order.
- “Or” between the names. Either owner can sign and complete the entire sale independently. The other owner’s signature is not required and the other owner does not need to be present.
- “And/or” between the names. Treated the same as “or” in Texas. Either owner can handle the transfer on their own.
The rule applies to the assignment section on the back of the title and to the seller lines on Form 130-U. The conjunction on the front of the title controls both documents. When in doubt, look at the face of the original title and match exactly.
Signing the Back of the Title and Form 130-U
Two documents carry the signatures: the existing title and a fresh Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).1Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Application for Texas Title and/or Registration
On the back of the current title, find the Assignment of Title section. The seller prints their name and signs exactly as it appears on the front. If the title reads “and,” both owners must print and sign in the seller blocks. Fill in the date of sale and the current odometer reading. Any mismatch between the printed name on the back and the name on the front can cause a rejection, so copy it precisely.
Form 130-U works the same way. The seller signature lines follow the connector on the title. An “and” title means two seller signatures on the form; an “or” or “and/or” title means one signature is enough. Do not use white-out and do not scratch through corrections on either document. Alterations can void the paperwork and force you to apply for a duplicate title before you can try again.
Making the Signatures Match
Sign in black or blue ink. Print each name character-for-character the way it is printed on the front of the title, then sign next to it. If a name was misspelled when the title was first issued, the safest path is to sign in the misspelled form the title carries, since the county clerk is comparing what is in front of them, not what should have been there.
When One Co-Owner Cannot Sign in Person
An “and” title requires both signatures, but life gets in the way: one owner is out of state, deployed, or simply unavailable when the buyer is ready to close. Texas has a specific form to bridge that gap. Form VTR-271, the Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions, lets the absent owner (the grantor) authorize the other person (the grantee) to sign on their behalf.2Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions
A few details trip people up. The form must be signed in black or blue ink with original signatures, and no alterations or white-out corrections are allowed. Both the grantor and the grantee must include a photocopy of a government-issued photo ID with the submission. If the vehicle is subject to federal odometer disclosure requirements, VTR-271 cannot be used in a dealer transaction; the separate Secure Power of Attorney (Form VTR-271-A) is required instead.2Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions
Once the power of attorney is in place, the grantee signs the title assignment and Form 130-U for the absent owner. Attach the completed VTR-271 and the ID copies to the packet filed at the county tax office.
Rights of Survivorship Titles Override the Normal Rule
Some two-owner titles carry a Rights of Survivorship agreement, either printed on the title itself or on file with TxDMV under Texas Transportation Code Section 501.031. That agreement changes how the signing rule works while both owners are alive: all owners must act jointly to transfer the vehicle, regardless of whether the title uses “and” or “or.”3State of Texas. Texas Code 501.031 – Rights of Survivorship Agreement This catches people off guard on “or” titles, where they assume solo signing works. It does not when survivorship is on file.
When one co-owner dies, the survivorship agreement does the opposite favor: ownership passes automatically to the surviving co-owner without probate. The surviving owner then signs the title assignment as the sole seller and submits a copy of the deceased owner’s death certificate with the application.3State of Texas. Texas Code 501.031 – Rights of Survivorship Agreement
Signing After a Co-Owner Has Died Without Survivorship
Without a Rights of Survivorship agreement on the title, the deceased co-owner’s interest typically has to pass through the estate before anyone can sign it away. There are two common paths.
If the estate has been probated, the executor or administrator signs the title assignment in place of the deceased owner, and a certified copy of the probate proceedings is attached to the packet. The surviving co-owner still signs for themselves.
If no probate has been filed and none is necessary, the heirs can use an Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-262) to transfer the deceased owner’s share. All known heirs must sign the form before a notary, each signature notarized individually. The affidavit certifies that no will exists (or that any existing will is not being offered for probate) and that the signers are the only known heirs. A power of attorney cannot substitute for an heir’s personal signature on this form.4Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle The completed VTR-262 goes to the county tax office with Form 130-U and any lien release documents.
Whichever path applies, the surviving co-owner still has to sign as themselves. The estate paperwork covers only the deceased owner’s half of the signature line.