When does title for personal property sold at auction typically pass?

Title for personal property sold at auction typically passes when the auctioneer accepts the final bid. This moment is significant because it represents the point at which a legally binding contract is formed between the buyer and seller. Once the auctioneer acknowledges the highest bid, the seller's agreement to sell the item is confirmed, and the buyer's obligation to pay the agreed-upon price is established.

This process ensures that both parties have a clear understanding of the transaction, marking the transfer of ownership from the seller to the buyer. Other options suggest moments that do not align with the legal transfer of ownership. Signing a contract or registration with authorities occurs in different contexts and does not reflect the specific moment of ownership transfer in an auction setting. Similarly, simply listing the item for sale does not create a legal obligation or entitle anyone to ownership until the bid is finalized by the auctioneer.