The Treasurer’s Office handles title transfers (ownership change) and issues moving permits for mobile homes. Taxes on mobile homes are assessed through the Department of Equalization. In South Dakota buyers have 45 days from the date of purchase of mobile home to transfer the title into their name
Titling requires providing a valid South Dakota driver’s license or ID for each owner. If an owner has an out of state driver’s license or ID then a clear copy of their social security card, or other acceptable proof, will be required. Businesses must provide their FEIN #. If there are multiple owners both may need to sign the documents depending on how the names are connected.
Documents required to title a mobile home in South Dakota
Certificate of title or Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin for new mobile homes
South Dakota Motor Vehicle and Boat Title Application (MV-1001)
Driver’s License or State Issued ID for all owners
Proof of Social Security Number is required with an out of state Driver’s License or ID. Acceptable proof is a copy of your social security card or a W2, 1098,1099, paystub or military orders with the full SSN on them.
Purchase agreement or valid bill of sale (if title is not already in your name)
Additional documents may be needed based on the individual transaction. Any cross outs, white outs, or other alterations to documents may void them or require an affidavit for correction. Please see the below FAQ for more information on the above documents.
Mobile home is moving physical location
Anytime a mobile home is being moved a moving permit must be issued. The applicant must be the owner of the home or have authorization from the owner. If it is newly purchased and is being moved before the title is being transferred the valid bill of sale will be required.
In order for a moving permit to be issued all property taxes that have been assessed must be paid. If the mobile home is moving out of a different county, you will need to pay the assessed taxes at that county and obtain a Mobile Home Tax Affidavit showing the taxes have been paid.
South Dakota collects taxes a year in arrears (2023 taxes are collected in 2024), so the previous year and current year taxes will need to be paid before the moving permit may be issued. If the mobile home will be moving after November 1st additional taxes may be required for a moving permit.
Fees
Title transfer $10.00
Excise tax 4% (see below)
Moving permit $15.00
Property taxes (see below)
Processing through the mail
If processing through the mail all documents will need to be mailed to our office. Paperwork mailed in is receipted in and worked in the order it is received- not necessarily on the day it arrives from your chosen carrier. Expect up to two weeks plus processing time. If additional documents are needed and mailed in, they will follow the normal mail process.
It is the sender’s responsibility to follow up on processing to avoid interest and penalties. Title work starts accruing interest if not completed 45 days from your purchase date. We do not go by when the paperwork is mailed/received in our office. You are responsible for having all documents in and paid for. You are strongly encouraged to mail in advance to avoid penalties.
Once your paperwork has been reviewed you will be contacted for payment or for any missing documents. Please include valid contact information with your paperwork. We will reach out via email if an email address is given- watch your junk or spam folder so you don’t miss any correspondence regarding your transaction.
Please send documents to:
Fall River County Treasurer’s Office
906 N. River St.
Hot Springs, SD 57747
Payment options
Our system is not set up to take prepaid debit cards, gift cards or loaded employee payroll cards.
Checks, Money Orders, and Cashier’s Checks should be made payable to Fall River County Treasurer.
Cash
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards are accepted and subject to a 2.5% service charge.
Debit cards in person with use of a pin # are subject to a $2.50 service charge. Over the phone they are subject to a 2.5% service charge.
Additional Information
To obtain a quote prior to sending in your paperwork please give us a call at 605-745-5145. All quotes are considered estimates and are based off the information provided to us.
If you have additional questions not answered here, please call our office at 605-745-5145 from 8:00am – 5:00 pm MDT Monday through Friday or send us a message to our email [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
How to fill out the Motor Vehicle and Boat Title Application
A South Dakota Motor Vehicle and Boat Title Application must be included with all title transfer paperwork. If you have purchased from a South Dakota dealer this should already be included in your title paperwork. If there is more than one buyer both people may need to sign depending on how the names are connected.
Names connected by ‘AND’ or without any designation require both buyers to sign the application.
Names connected by ‘OR’ require only one signature
Instructions for filling out the application
- Section A: Mark whether this a boat or motor vehicle transfer
- Section B: Fill in the vehicle information- full VIN, year, make, model, color, length x width, odometer (if 20 years old or newer)
- Section C: For each owner fill out the name, address and South Dakota Driver’s License or ID number, or full SSN. If more than one owner fill in the ownership type (or, and, trust, trustee, or DBA)
- Section D: Title mailing address if different than the owner’s address
- Section E: Contact name, email address and phone number
- Section F: Skip this section
- Section G: If there is a lien holder fill in their name and address as it should appear on the title
- Section H: Printed name and signature of the owners
Is a title required in South Dakota?
Yes. The title is a legal document that is required for mobile homes in South Dakota. While the primary purpose of a title is to establish who owns the home, titles also provide information such as make, model year, length x width, and the vehicle identification number (VIN). Both the buyer and seller must follow specific procedures to ensure the title is correctly transferred from one owner to the next.
If the vehicle is brand new, instead of a certificate of title, you may have a Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin. Once the title transfer is completed you will receive a South Dakota title. If there is a lien holder the title will be held electronically until the lien is released.
What is required for a valid purchase agreement or bill of sale?
A completed purchase agreement or bill of sale is required for all title transfers and must include the vehicle information (year, make, model, color, width x length, complete VIN), the date of sale, sale price, seller name, buyer name, and be signed by the seller. Many states have a section on their titles to fill in the required information and a place for the seller and buyer to sign. If any of the required information is missing, or not filled out, a separate bill of sale will be needed (Form 1025).
If purchased from a dealer the purchase agreement or bill of sale will be needed. Any trade-in vehicle information will need to be listed on the purchase agreement for calculating excise tax.
Any cross outs, white outs, or other alterations to documents may void them or require an affidavit for correction.
How is the 4% excise tax calculated?
In lieu of sales and use taxes, South Dakota imposes a 4% excise tax on mobile homes the first time they are titled in South Dakota, and property tax is assessed on the home for subsequent years. If the home was purchased from someone that has a South Dakota title no excise tax will be collected, and all assessed property taxes must be paid. If the mobile home is new (Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin) or the seller has an out of state title, excise tax may be collected. The excise tax is based on the purchase price listed on the bill of sale, purchase order, sales contract, or on the NADA clean retail value.
Purchase price is defined as total consideration of the mobile home price and all accessories not charged tax- including but not limited to rebates, document fees, extended warranties, service contracts and GAP Waiver. Trade in allowances are deducted from the total purchase price only if verified by VIN on the purchase contract AND if that trade in was titled in the name of the applicant.
Exclusions: Discounts are not rebates and are therefore not excise taxable. Insurance is not excise taxable.
My mobile home has been permanently affixed to a foundation, or the mobile home is no longer permanently affixed to a foundation, what do I need to do?
Please contact our office for the process to change the title in the event the mobile home has been permanently affixed to a foundation (surrendered to real estate), or if the mobile home is no longer permanently affixed to a foundation (removal from real estate).
You may give us a call at 605-745-5145 or send us an email [email protected].
Property taxes on Mobile Homes
Taxes on mobile homes are assessed through the Department of Equalization and are collected a year in arrears. When the title is being transferred, and\or a moving permit is being issued all assessed taxes must be paid.
Example: A mobile home with a South Dakota title was purchased and the title transfer is being done in May 2024. The 2023 taxes (payable in 2024) and the 2024 taxes (payable in 2025) have both been assessed on the home and will need to be paid.
If getting a moving permit for a mobile home that will be moving after November 1st, please contact our office for more information on the taxes payable.
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