Home › Car buying › Doc fee by state
Direct answer: As of Oct. 18, 2026, 17 states limit what a car dealer can charge as a doc fee, from $85 in California ($70 for some dealers) to $800 in Maryland. Texas and South Carolina presume $225 is reasonable. Tennessee, Florida, Georgia and most other states set no dollar cap, so the dealer picks the fee.
By the numbers: Dealer doc fee limits for 50 states + DC read from state statutes, rules and agency notices Oct. 18, 2026: 17 states set a dollar limit, 2 a $225 safe harbor, 30 states + DC none found. Source: VaultRubric from state statutes and agency notices
“the documentary preparation fee shall not exceed 5% of the cash price of the motor vehicle or $280.00, whichever is less” — Michigan DIFS Bulletin 2025-03-CF
Updated 2026-10-18
We found no Tennessee law setting a dollar limit as of Oct. 18, 2026, so the dealer sets the fee. In Tennessee the doc fee is also taxed as part of the sale. Ask for the out-the-door price in writing and negotiate the car's price to offset a high fee.
As of Oct. 18, 2026: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington. Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio also cap it at a percentage of the price, and Rhode Island bars it on sales of $10,000 or less. Texas and South Carolina presume $225 reasonable.
Sometimes. Washington, Oregon and Pennsylvania say it is negotiable. Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi require the same fee for every customer, and many dealers do that everywhere. If the fee won't move, negotiate the vehicle price down by the same amount.
No. It's a dealer charge, not a government fee. Illinois, Iowa and Missouri make dealers print a notice saying the fee is not an official fee and not required by law; Maryland's contract must say “not required by law.”
$398, or 10% of what you pay under the contract (before tax, title, registration and negative equity) if that is less. It rises to $412 on Jan. 1, 2027 (Ohio Rev. Code § 4517.261).
Texas doesn't set a hard cap. A dealer can charge $225 or less with no state filing; to charge more, it must first notify the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and file a cost analysis (7 TAC § 84.205).
Doc fee limits read from each state's statute, rule or agency notice (17 states with a dollar limit, TX/SC $225 safe harbor, WV commissioner-set); checked Oct. 18, 2026.
As of Oct. 18, 2026 · read from state statutes, rules and agency notices · 50 states + DC
Check your doc fee against your state's limit, then negotiate the out-the-door price. 17 states cap the doc fee (California $85 to Maryland $800). In Tennessee and most other states there's no cap, so a $699 or $999 fee is legal, but it is still dealer profit you can offset in the price.
The math:
Sources: Doc fee check · Every state · What it's called
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Read on Oct. 18, 2026 from each state's statute, rule or agency notice (linked in each row). 17 states set a dollar limit; Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio also cap it at a percentage of the price. Texas and South Carolina presume $225 reasonable and require a state filing for more. For the other 30 states and D.C. we found no state dollar limit. Illinois' 2026 figure is published by the Illinois Automobile Dealers Association (the statute sets only the formula); Mississippi's rule was read from a Cornell LII copy. The fee goes by different names: doc fee, documentary, processing, administrative, service and handling, or closing fee.
| State | Limit | Rule | Law | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Alaska | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Arizona | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Arkansas | $129 | Must be charged the same to every retail customer. | Ark. Code § 23-112-317; 23 CAR § 410-801 (Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission Rule 8) | Arkansas Motor Vehicle Commission rule |
| California | $85 ($70 if dealer not in the DMV private industry partner program) | $85 if the dealer is a DMV private industry partner, $70 if not. May not be presented as a government fee. | Cal. Vehicle Code § 4456.5 | California Legislature |
| Colorado | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Connecticut | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Delaware | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| District of Columbia | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Florida | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Georgia | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Hawaii | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Idaho | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Illinois | $377.63 | Adjusted every year for inflation. The 2026 figure is the one the dealers' association publishes; the state statute sets only the formula (ilga.gov was unreachable from our checker). | 815 ILCS 375/11.1 ($300 base from Jan. 1, 2020, adjusted each year by CPI) | Illinois Automobile Dealers Association (2026 figure); the statute sets the formula |
| Indiana | $261.72 | The state won't take enforcement action on fees at or below $261.72 (as of July 1, 2026). Must be in the advertised price and on the bill of sale as its own line. | Ind. Code § 9-32-13-7(b); Secretary of State Auto Dealer Services memo, July 1, 2026 | Indiana Secretary of State, Auto Dealer Services Division |
| Iowa | $180 | Must be included in advertised prices and offers. | Iowa Code § 322.19A | Iowa Legislature |
| Kansas | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Kentucky | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Louisiana | $436 | Adjusted each calendar year. | La. R.S. 6:969.18(A)(2); Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission Bulletin B-2026-001 (Jan. 16, 2026) | Louisiana Motor Vehicle Commission |
| Maine | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Maryland | $800 | $800 since July 1, 2024 (was $500). Must be reasonable and shown on the contract as “not required by law.” | Md. Code, Transportation § 15-311.1 | Maryland General Assembly |
| Massachusetts | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Michigan | Lesser of $280 or 5% of the cash price of the vehicle | The lesser of $280 or 5% of the cash price; reviewed every 2 years. | MCL 492.113(2)(a); DIFS Bulletin 2025-03-CF (Jan. 28, 2025) | Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services |
| Minnesota | Lesser of $350 or 10% of the value of the sale or lease | The lesser of $350 or 10% of the sale or lease value, for deals on or after July 1, 2025 (was $275). | Minn. Stat. § 168.27, subd. 31 | Minnesota Legislature |
| Mississippi | $425 | Must be charged to cash and credit buyers alike and listed as its own line. The rule is the Motor Vehicle Commission's, which licenses new-vehicle dealers. | 30 Miss. Code R. 1301-8.1 (Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission) | Mississippi Motor Vehicle Commission rule (text from Cornell LII copy) |
| Missouri | $620.79 | 2026 maximum, effective Feb. 1, 2026; adjusted each year by CPI. Same fee for all retail customers; the form must say it is not an official fee and may be dealer profit. | RSMo § 301.558; 12 CSR 10-26.231 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Montana | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Nebraska | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Nevada | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| New Hampshire | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| New Jersey | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| New Mexico | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| New York | $175 | Only if the dealer actually files your title/registration. Separate from DMV fees; up to $5 more for a special plate. | 15 NYCRR § 78.19(c)(2) (DMV regulations, form CR-78) | New York State DMV |
| North Carolina | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| North Dakota | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Ohio | Lesser of $398 or 10% of the amount you pay under the contract, excluding tax, title, registration and negative equity | The lesser of $398 (2026) or 10% of the contract amount before tax, title, registration and negative equity. Rises to $412 on Jan. 1, 2027. | Ohio Rev. Code § 4517.261 | Ohio Dealer Licensing (Bureau of Motor Vehicles) |
| Oklahoma | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Oregon | $250 ($200 if dealer does not use an integrator) | Negotiable: $250 if the dealer uses an integrator ($35 of it goes to the integrator), $200 if not. | ORS 822.043 | Oregon Legislature |
| Pennsylvania | $490 ($409 if dealer processes title work on paper) | 2026: $490 with electronic registration, $409 without. Negotiable and not taxed; must be posted on a sign in the dealership. | 63 P.S. § 818.327(c); State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons notice (Jan. 13, 2026) | Pennsylvania State Board of Vehicle Manufacturers, Dealers and Salespersons |
| Rhode Island | $400, and none on deals of $10,000 or less | Up to $400, and only on deals over $10,000. No doc fee at all on a sale under $10,000. | 280-RICR-30-20-1 (Division of Motor Vehicles dealer rules) | Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles rule |
| South Carolina | $225 presumed OK; more needs a state filing | Not a hard cap: $225 or less is considered approved; above that the dealer must file it with the S.C. Department of Consumer Affairs, which may review it for reasonableness. | S.C. Code § 37-2-307 | South Carolina Legislature |
| South Dakota | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Tennessee | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Texas | $225 presumed OK; more needs a state filing | Not a hard cap: $225 or less needs no state filing; over $225 the dealer must first notify the OCCC and file a cost analysis. | 7 Tex. Admin. Code § 84.205 (Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner) | Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner |
| Utah | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Vermont | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Virginia | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Washington | $200 | Negotiable, and the dealer must tell you so in writing. Ads must say a fee up to $200 may be added. | RCW 46.70.180(2) | Washington Legislature |
| West Virginia | Set by the DMV commissioner (amount not confirmed) | The DMV commissioner sets documentary charges with the Dealers Advisory Board. We couldn't confirm the current dollar amount on an official West Virginia page, so we don't show one. | W. Va. Code § 17A-6-18A (Motor Vehicle Dealers Advisory Board) | West Virginia Legislature |
| Wisconsin | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
| Wyoming | No state dollar limit found | No state dollar limit found in our check. Dealers set the fee; ask for it in writing with the out-the-door price. | — | — |
How we built this: we read each limit on Oct. 18, 2026 in the state's statute, rule or agency notice, saved a copy with a checksum, and our build checks that every limit's quoted words appear in that saved text (43 quotes). Limits that change every year (Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana) are the 2026 figures. The check runs in your browser with the same rules as our server-side test.
Facts, not legal advice. Some limits apply only to certain dealers or deals (for example New York's covers title/registration help, Mississippi's is the Motor Vehicle Commission's rule), and a state without a dollar cap may still police unfair fees. Confirm with your state attorney general, DMV or dealer board.
We found no Tennessee law setting a dollar limit as of Oct. 18, 2026, so the dealer sets the fee. In Tennessee the doc fee is also taxed as part of the sale. Ask for the out-the-door price in writing and negotiate the car's price to offset a high fee.
As of Oct. 18, 2026: Arkansas, California, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Washington. Michigan, Minnesota and Ohio also cap it at a percentage of the price, and Rhode Island bars it on sales of $10,000 or less. Texas and South Carolina presume $225 reasonable.
Sometimes. Washington, Oregon and Pennsylvania say it is negotiable. Arkansas, Missouri and Mississippi require the same fee for every customer, and many dealers do that everywhere. If the fee won't move, negotiate the vehicle price down by the same amount.
No. It's a dealer charge, not a government fee. Illinois, Iowa and Missouri make dealers print a notice saying the fee is not an official fee and not required by law; Maryland's contract must say “not required by law.”
$398, or 10% of what you pay under the contract (before tax, title, registration and negative equity) if that is less. It rises to $412 on Jan. 1, 2027 (Ohio Rev. Code § 4517.261).
Texas doesn't set a hard cap. A dealer can charge $225 or less with no state filing; to charge more, it must first notify the Texas Office of Consumer Credit Commissioner and file a cost analysis (7 TAC § 84.205).
Estimates, not financial advice. Taxes, insurance, PMI and fees vary by lender, county and city; confirm with your lender, dealer and state agency before acting.
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