Mississippi Vehicle Power of Attorney

Q: Which form is the Mississippi vehicle power of attorney?

Form 78-003, printed in full as 78-003-21-8-1-000 with the revision line Rev. 06/21, published by the Mississippi Department of Revenue and headed POWER OF ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER MOTOR VEHICLE. The header gives the office it belongs to, Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383. It is a single page: county, grantor, appointee, the five vehicle fields, the odometer certification, the grantor signature and the notary block.

Q: Does a Mississippi power of attorney to transfer a motor vehicle have to be notarized?

Yes. The acknowledgment is printed on the face of the form and there is no alternative to it. It reads: Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared the person whose name is subscribed to the above foregoing instrument, and acknowledge to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. The notary then dates it under GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE and signs on the line marked Notary Public. Plan to sign in front of the notary rather than beforehand.

Q: Where does a completed Mississippi form 78-003 go?

It goes in with the title paperwork, not on its own. The form says it shall pass with the certificate of title and be included as a support document to the application for a new certificate of title or the application for a replacement certificate of title. The address printed at the head of the form is Mississippi Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383. Keep a copy of the whole package.

Q: How should the owner name be written on the Mississippi form?

Exactly as it reads on the title. The instruction printed under the grantor line is blunt: GRANTOR, NAME TO APPEAR IN SAME FORM AS CONTAINED IN CERTIFICATE OF TITLE. If the title shows a middle initial, use the middle initial. If the title is in a company name, the printed name of the grantor must also include the appropriate office, and the form gives partner, president and secretary treasurer as examples. A name that does not match the title is the easiest way to have the package sent back.

Q: Can a business be the attorney on a Mississippi vehicle power of attorney?

Yes, and the form asks for more than just the company name. The line that names the appointee carries the instruction IF A BUSINESS, ALSO INCLUDE THE NAME OF AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUSINESS. So a dealership or a title service is named together with the individual there who will actually sign. The form then asks for the appointee address, county and state in the same way it does for the owner.

Q: How does the odometer section on the Mississippi form work?

It is part of the same page, so there is no separate mileage form to chase. Above the reading, the form states that federal and state law require you to state the mileage in connection with the transfer of ownership, and that failing to complete it or providing a false statement may result in fines or imprisonment. You then certify that the reading is the actual mileage unless you check one of two boxes: that the mileage stated is in excess of the mechanical limits of the odometer, or that the odometer reading is not actual mileage, which the form labels WARNING-ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.

Q: How much does a Mississippi title cost and how long does it take?

A motor vehicle title is $9.00. The Department of Revenue says standard titles are typically issued within six weeks once a completed application with all required documentation is received, and that a missing document, a request for additional material or a need for help from the designated agent can delay issuance. A Fast Track title costs $39.00 and is issued within 72 hours of receipt. The power of attorney itself carries no separate fee, but a notary will charge for the acknowledgment.

Q: Which law governs motor vehicle titles in Mississippi?

The Department of Revenue cites Miss. Code Ann. Title 63, Chapter 21 for motor vehicle titles, and the Mississippi Administrative Code, Title 35, Part VII for motor vehicle registration and title regulations. Those are the sources a clerk is working from when they look at your form 78-003 and the title application it is attached to. If your transaction is unusual, for example a company title or an estate, read the chapter or have the package reviewed before you file it.

Mississippi uses Department of Revenue form 78-003, Power of Attorney to Transfer Motor Vehicle. The grantor signs in front of a notary, and the signed form travels with the certificate of title. Attorney review available.

Find out where you stand in Mississippi

What do you need the other person to be able to do with the vehicle?

DocDraft provides document preparation, not legal advice.

Introduction

The Mississippi Department of Revenue will take a power of attorney on a title transfer only on its own sheet, form 78-003, headed POWER OF ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER MOTOR VEHICLE, and only with the notary acknowledgment at the foot of it completed. The form is addressed to Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383, and the posted revision is dated 06/21. It is written in old-fashioned deed language. The owner, whom the form calls the grantor, appoints a true and lawful attorney to sell, transfer and assign one described motor vehicle, with full power and authority to do every act requisite and necessary to transfer and assign the legal title to anyone the attorney designates. Mississippi identifies the vehicle by five fields: make, V.I.N., year, body type and title number. The form carries its own odometer certification, so the mileage goes on the same page, with two exception boxes for a reading past its mechanical limits or a reading that is not actual mileage. Two instructions on the form catch people out. The grantor name must appear in the same form as it is contained on the certificate of title, and where a business is appointed the form also wants the name of an authorized representative of that business. Form 78-003 is never filed on its own. The form states that it shall pass with the certificate of title and be included as a support document to the application for a new certificate of title or for a replacement certificate of title. Motor vehicle titles in Mississippi are governed by Miss. Code Ann. Title 63, Chapter 21. DocDraft builds your Mississippi vehicle power of attorney from your facts, with attorney review available before you sign.

Key Things to Know

1
Form 78-003 is the Mississippi Department of Revenue document titled POWER OF ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER MOTOR VEHICLE, and it appoints one named attorney to sell, transfer and assign the title of the single vehicle described on it.
2
A notary is required. The bottom of 78-003 prints an acknowledgment that begins Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared, and the notary signs and seals it under the words GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE.
3
The form does not travel alone. It shall pass with the certificate of title and be included as a support document to the application for a new certificate of title or an application for a replacement certificate of title.
4
The grantor name must appear in the same form as it is contained in the certificate of title, and where the title is in a company name the printed grantor name must include the appropriate office, such as partner, president or secretary treasurer.
5
Where a business is appointed as attorney, 78-003 asks you to include the name of an authorized representative of that business alongside the business name.
6
The odometer certification is on the form itself. Federal and state law require the mileage to be stated on a transfer of ownership, and the form warns that failing to complete it or giving a false statement may result in fines or imprisonment.
7
A Mississippi motor vehicle title costs $9.00 and is typically issued within six weeks of a complete application reaching the Department of Revenue. A Fast Track title costs $39.00 and is issued within 72 hours of receipt.

Key decisions before you file

Before you file a Vehicle Power of Attorney in Mississippi, a few decisions shape the document: which option to choose and what each one means. The Vehicle Power of Attorney guide walks through them.

Open the Vehicle Power of Attorney guide

Customize your Vehicle Power of Attorney Template with DocDraft

MISSISSIPPI POWER OF ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER MOTOR VEHICLE (DOR FORM 78-003)

Use this worksheet to gather every entry Mississippi Department of Revenue form 78-003 asks for, in the order the form asks for it, then copy the entries onto 78-003 itself and sign that form in front of a notary.

STATE AND COUNTY THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI COUNTY OF: [COUNTY WHERE THE GRANTOR SIGNS]

GRANTOR (THE OWNER) THAT I, [PRINT NAME EXACTLY AS IT APPEARS ON THE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE] Address: [STREET ADDRESS] Of the County of: [COUNTY] and the STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

APPOINTEE (THE ATTORNEY) Do make, constitute and appoint: [FULL NAME OF THE PERSON OR BUSINESS APPOINTED] If a business, also include the name of an authorized representative: [REPRESENTATIVE NAME] Address: [STREET ADDRESS] Of the County of: [COUNTY] and the STATE OF MISSISSIPPI

AUTHORITY GRANTED (printed on the form) my true and lawful attorney, in my name, place and stead to sell, transfer and assign the motor vehicle described below, with full power and authority to do every act requisite and necessary to transfer and assign the legal title to anyone whomever, as may be designated by said attorney.

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION MAKE: [MAKE] V.I.N.: [VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, copied from the title] YEAR: [YEAR] BODY TYPE: [BODY TYPE] TITLE NUMBER: [TITLE NUMBER]

ODOMETER CERTIFICATION Federal and state law require that you state the mileage in connection with the transfer of ownership. Failure to complete or providing a false statement may result in fines and/or imprisonment. Odometer reading (no tenths): [MILEAGE] Check only if it applies: [ ] 1. The mileage stated is in excess of the mechanical limits of the odometer. [ ] 2. The odometer reading is not actual mileage. WARNING-ODOMETER DISCREPANCY

EXECUTION IN WITNESS WHEREOF I HAVE hereunto set my hand this [DAY] day of [MONTH], 20[YY]. Signature of Owner, Grantor: _______________________________ Printed Name of Grantor: [PRINTED NAME. If the title is in a company name, include the appropriate office: Title, Partner, President, Sec. Treas., etc.]

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT (completed by the notary, not by you) Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared [INDIVIDUAL NAME ONLY], known to me to be the person whose name is subscribed to the above foregoing instrument, and acknowledge to me that he executed the same for the purposes and consideration therein expressed. GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE THIS [DAY] day of [MONTH], 20[YY]. Notary Public: _______________________________

CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU FILE

The grantor name matches the certificate of title character for character.
All five vehicle fields are filled: make, V.I.N., year, body type, title number.
The odometer reading is entered and the exception boxes are left blank unless one applies.
The notary has completed and sealed the acknowledgment. Do not sign before you reach the notary.
This form is attached to the title and to the application for a new or replacement certificate of title. It is not filed by itself.

WHERE IT GOES Mississippi Department of Revenue, Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383. A motor vehicle title is $9.00 and is typically issued within six weeks of a complete application; a Fast Track title is $39.00 and is issued within 72 hours of receipt.

Note: this worksheet mirrors Mississippi DOR form 78-003 (Rev. 06/21). Titles are governed by Miss. Code Ann. Title 63, Chapter 21. For the generic template and other states, see the Vehicle Power of Attorney hub.

Once your Vehicle Power of Attorney is ready, you can check whether it needs to be notarized in Mississippi in about a minute, and notarize it online through DocDraft if it does.

Mississippi Requirements for Vehicle Power of Attorney

DOR Form 78-003, Power of Attorney to Transfer Motor Vehicle
Mississippi uses Department of Revenue form 78-003, printed in full as 78-003-21-8-1-000 with the revision line Rev. 06/21, headed POWER OF ATTORNEY TO TRANSFER MOTOR VEHICLE. The header names Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383.
Notary Acknowledgment Printed on the Form
The acknowledgment is on the face of 78-003 and there is no alternative to it. It begins Before me, the undersigned authority, on this day personally appeared, and the notary completes the date under GIVEN UNDER MY HAND AND SEAL OF OFFICE and signs on the line marked Notary Public. The owner signs in front of the notary.
Grantor Name Must Match the Certificate of Title
The instruction printed under the grantor line reads GRANTOR, NAME TO APPEAR IN SAME FORM AS CONTAINED IN CERTIFICATE OF TITLE. Where the title is in a company name, the printed name of the grantor must include the appropriate office, and the form gives Title, Partner, President and Sec. Treas. as examples.
Five Vehicle Fields: Make, V.I.N., Year, Body Type, Title Number
Mississippi identifies the vehicle on 78-003 by make, V.I.N., year, body type and title number. All five are printed on the form, so copy them from the certificate of title rather than from a registration or an insurance card.
Named Representative Where a Business Is Appointed
The appointee line carries the instruction IF A BUSINESS, ALSO INCLUDE THE NAME OF AN AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BUSINESS. A dealership or title service is therefore named together with the individual there who will sign, and the form asks for the appointee address, county and state as well.
Odometer Certification on the Same Page
Form 78-003 carries its own mileage certification. It states that federal and state law require the mileage on a transfer of ownership and that failure to complete it or a false statement may result in fines or imprisonment, then offers two exception boxes: mileage in excess of the mechanical limits of the odometer, or a reading that is not actual mileage, marked WARNING-ODOMETER DISCREPANCY.
Filed With the Title, Never on Its Own
The form states that it shall pass with the Certificate of Title and be included as a support document to the application for a new Certificate of Title or the Application for Replacement Certificate of Title. Send the package to Motor Vehicle Services, P.O. Box 1383, Jackson, MS 39215-1383.
Title Fees, Timing and the Governing Law
A Mississippi motor vehicle title is $9.00 and is typically issued within six weeks of a complete application reaching the Department of Revenue; a Fast Track title is $39.00 and is issued within 72 hours of receipt. Motor vehicle titles are governed by Miss. Code Ann. Title 63, Chapter 21.

Does your Vehicle Power of Attorney need to be notarized in Mississippi?

Whether a Vehicle Power of Attorney needs to be notarized depends on your state. Upload yours, pick your state, and get the current rule with the official source behind it, free and with no account. If yours does need a notary, online notarization is part of your DocDraft plan.

Check my Vehicle Power of Attorney

Frequently Asked Questions

Which form is the Mississippi vehicle power of attorney?

Does a Mississippi power of attorney to transfer a motor vehicle have to be notarized?

Where does a completed Mississippi form 78-003 go?

How should the owner name be written on the Mississippi form?

Can a business be the attorney on a Mississippi vehicle power of attorney?

How does the odometer section on the Mississippi form work?

How much does a Mississippi title cost and how long does it take?

Which law governs motor vehicle titles in Mississippi?

Find out where you stand in Mississippi

Introduction

Key Things to Know

Key decisions before you file

Customize your Vehicle Power of Attorney Template with DocDraft

Mississippi Requirements for Vehicle Power of Attorney

DOR Form 78-003, Power of Attorney to Transfer Motor Vehicle

Notary Acknowledgment Printed on the Form

Grantor Name Must Match the Certificate of Title

Five Vehicle Fields: Make, V.I.N., Year, Body Type, Title Number

Named Representative Where a Business Is Appointed

Odometer Certification on the Same Page

Filed With the Title, Never on Its Own

Title Fees, Timing and the Governing Law

Does your Vehicle Power of Attorney need to be notarized in Mississippi?

Frequently Asked Questions