Texas Vehicle Power of Attorney

Introduction

Key Things to Know

1. 1

   VTR-271 is the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles form titled Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions. It lets the owner, called the grantor on the form, appoint a grantee who may purchase, transfer and assign the legal title to the one motor vehicle described on it. The current revision is VTR-271 Rev 11/20.

2. 2

   No notary signs a VTR-271. The Certification section carries one grantor signature line, a printed name and a date, under a heading that reads: Certification, state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.

3. 3

   Acceptance turns on the mechanics instead. The form states that all sections must be properly completed in order for the document to be accepted, that original signatures are required, that only black or blue ink are acceptable, and that no alterations are allowed on the form.

4. 4

   Full power of substitution is defined on the form itself: whoever is given this power of attorney may delegate that power by putting another person in his or her place by a substitute power of attorney. The certification repeats it, appointing the grantee or anyone the grantee may substitute.

5. 5

   Photo identification copies are required from both sides. Where the power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title, the grantor, who signs the form, and the grantee, who signs the application, must each include a photocopy of their photo identification.

6. 6

   VTR-271 cannot be used in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a motor vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure. The form directs those transactions to the secure Power of Attorney for Transfer of Ownership to a Motor Vehicle, form VTR-271-A.

7. 7

   The grantor and grantee blocks each ask for a county alongside the city, state and zip, because the certification is phrased around it: the grantor of the county and state as listed above appoints the grantee of the county and state as listed above.

Texas Requirements for Vehicle Power of Attorney

• TxDMV Form VTR-271, Limited Power of Attorney

  Texas uses form VTR-271, titled Limited Power of Attorney for Eligible Motor Vehicle Transactions, published by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. The posted revision is VTR-271 Rev 11/20. The form calls the owner the grantor and the person appointed the grantee, and covers one described motor vehicle.

• No Notary: a Felony Warning on the Certification Instead

  VTR-271 prints no notary block. The Certification heading reads that state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony, and below it the form takes a single signature of grantor, the printed name the same as the signature, and the date. The form's acceptance conditions do not include notarization.

• Original Signatures, Black or Blue Ink, No Alterations

  The Information block states that all sections of the form must be properly completed in order for this document to be accepted, that original signatures are required, that only black or blue ink are acceptable, and that no alterations are allowed on the form. Print a clean page rather than correcting an entry.

• Photo Identification Copies From Both Parties

  Where a power of attorney is used to apply for title, initial registration or a certified copy of title, the grantor, who signs the form, and the grantee, who signs the application, must each include a photocopy of their photo identification, as the form states is required by state law.

• Full Power of Substitution, Defined on the Form

  VTR-271 grants the grantee, with full power of substitution, full power and authority to perform every act necessary and proper to purchase, transfer and assign the legal title to the described vehicle. The form defines the phrase: the holder may delegate the power by putting another person in his or her place by a substitute power of attorney.

• Not for a Dealer Odometer Transaction: VTR-271-A Instead

  The form states that this power of attorney cannot be used in a dealer transaction to complete a title assignment on a motor vehicle subject to federal odometer disclosure, and that in compliance with federal law the secure Power of Attorney for Transfer of Ownership to a Motor Vehicle, form VTR-271-A, must be used where a power of attorney is permitted for such a vehicle.

• County Required for Both Parties; Title Number May Be Blank

  The grantor and grantee blocks each ask for a county as well as a city, state and zip, and the certification is written around it: the grantor of the county and state as listed above appoints the grantee of the county and state as listed above. In the vehicle block, the title or document number may be left blank if it is unknown, and the license plate state and number is given only if there is one.

• County Tax Office, With Form 130-U, Within 30 Days

  Texas titles are applied for at the county tax office: the signed negotiable title and a completed Application for Texas Title and Registration, form 130-U, must be provided there to title the vehicle, and the power of attorney goes in with that package. TxDMV states that vehicles are required to be titled in the buyer's name within 30 days from the date of sale.