Due to an increase in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) announced January 11, 2019, the maximum documentary fee increased immediately. Processing titlework manually increases from $118 to $120. For dealers performing online registrations with an online provider such as Cox/Dealertrack, the fee increases from $141 to $144.
The documentary fee:
- is non-taxable;
- may be excluded from a dealer’s advertised price for the sale of a vehicle;
- is a negotiable item, so the actual dollar amount may not be pre-printed on the buyer’s order
- is a dealer-imposed charge, not a state-mandated fee; and
- must be disclosed on a sign in the dealership.
The documentary fee is adjusted annually in accordance with the Federal Consumer Price Index.