A lot of this varies from state to state...
Minnesota REQUIRES a title to sell the vehicle. Fortunately, the Department of Motor Vehicles can act with their computerized records if both owner and buyer are present.
License plates also vary by state. Hetfield is quoting Wisconsin, where the plates belong to the owner. In Minnesota, the license plates belong to the car, you leave them on the vehicle when selling the car (the re-registration puts the plate info to the new owner). I bought both my cars with the plates on them (though long story on the RX-7), and I still have the same plates as the first owner put on the Contour.
Best to go to the state department of motor vehicles web site, or to go to a DMV office.
Best wishes for your future!