If you are buying a car from a dealership, all the paperwork will be handled by the dealership. However, when buying a car from a private person, you will need to deal with the procedure to change the ownership of the car. The procedure is called "Car title transfer" or 名義変更 in Japanese.
There are two ways to transfer the car title:
Hire an agent who can carry out the procedures on your behalf for a fee (RECOMMENDED)
Carry out the procedures by yourself by visiting the land transport office/light vehicle inspection center
Changing the car title through an agent
Either a car insurance company or a service garage can carry out the complicated procedures at the land transport office/light-vehicle inspection center on your behalf.
You can collect all of the below documents and set up a meeting with either of the above to delegate the work.
[Other documents]
1. Letter of Attorney (委任状) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
2. Deed of transfer (譲渡証明書) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
3. "OCR application form format#1" *Get this document at the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association
4. Report of light-sized vehicle tax*Get this document at the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association
[Other documents]
1. Letter of Attorney (委任状) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
2. Deed of transfer (譲渡証明書) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
3. "ORC application form"
Changing the car title by yourself
If you choose to deal with the procedure by yourself, you will need to collect all the paperwork, and visit the respective office depending on the vehicle type you are buying.
If you are buying a yellow-plate car (or a kei-car/light-sized car), you will need to visit the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association located in Urasoe city to complete the paperwork.
If you are buying a white-plate car (or a regular-sized car), you will need to visit the Land transportation office located in Urasoe city to complete the paperwork.
[Other documents]
1. Letter of Attorney (委任状) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
2. Deed of transfer (譲渡証明書) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
3. "OCR application form format#1" *Get this document at the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association
4. Report of light-sized vehicle tax*Get this document at the Light Motor Vehicle Inspection Association
[Other documents]
1. Letter of Attorney (委任状) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
2. Deed of transfer (譲渡証明書) *Fill in this form and stamp it with both the buyer's and the seller's seals beforehand (signature will do if inkans are not available) if both or either cannot go to the office in person.
3. "ORC application form"
