How To Register A Car With Missing Title

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In order to legally drive your car on the roads in the U.S., it must be registered with your state government. In order to be registered, however, a car must have a title, which is a certificate that proves ownership of a vehicle. As such, if you're hoping to register a car without a title, your first step is getting the car titled.

1
Check a DMV website for the requirements in your state. The information you will need to get your vehicle titled varies from state to state.^[1] The federal government's Department of Motor Vehicles website provides the specific information for each state on their website.^[2]
- You can also go directly to your state's DMV website. Here you'll find downloadable paperwork, as well as helpful phone numbers and addresses for offices you may need to visit.
- Expect to fill out an application (to either transfer or replace a title), and have information such as the vehicle's VIN number, odometer reading, and a bill of sale.
2

Get in touch with the previous owner. If you have a car without a title, get in touch with the previous owner to determine whether they still have the title. Whenever a car changes ownership, the title should be transferred as well.^[3] If you are unable to get the title transferred, getting a new title will be more challenging.^[4]

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3
Fill out the necessary paperwork together. The easiest way to get your vehicle title is by finding the previous owner and going over the necessary paperwork together. The paperwork will vary from state to state. If possible, visit a state office together with the vehicle to fill out all of the paperwork and complete the transfer process.^[5]
- Do not make changes to an existing title. The title holder will complete paperwork indicating transfer of ownership and you will be issued a new title.
- There cannot be an outstanding loan against a vehicle while transferring the title, unless the transfer is approved by the lender.
- The odometer reading (at time of transfer) and VIN numbers on the vehicle must match those in the paperwork.
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1
Determine that you do not have the title. A title is the legal proof that you own a particular vehicle. It is an important piece of paper that should be kept in a safe and secure area. Unless you are certain it is permanently lost or stolen, keep looking for it, as it is a time-consuming and relatively expensive process to have a title replaced.^[6]
- If you have your title but it has been damaged, bring it to your local Secretary of State or DMV office.
2
Establish your eligibility for a bonded title. If you do not have a title to prove your ownership of a vehicle and cannot contact the party that sold it to you, you will need to purchase a surety bond and apply for a bonded title through your state government.^[7]
- Check your state's DMV website for the eligibility requirements for a bonded title in your state. These will usually include residence in the state where you hope to title the vehicle.
3
Provide all necessary paperwork. Give everything required to prove your eligibility to a state office, as directed by your state's DMV website. You will also need to pay a fee.^[8] Necessary paperwork will likely include a statement of fact regarding how you came into possession of the vehicle, any other evidence that indicates your ownership of the vehicle, a photo ID, and an application for a bonded title.^[9]
- Note that a vehicle that has legally been deemed abandoned, junked, or stolen, or is involved in a pending lawsuit will not be eligible for a new title.
4
Purchase a surety bond. If you meet eligibility requirements, the state will send you a letter that contains the amount of the bond you will need to purchase. This bond amount will be greater than the value of the vehicle itself. The amount is determined by the state based on the information contained in your paperwork. Bring the letter to an agency that is licensed to sell surety bonds in your state, such as an auto-insurance agency.^[10]
- Keep in mind that you do not have to pay the state or the insurance company the value of your vehicle. While there will be some fee involved with the purchase of the bond itself, the bond is simply a legal instrument that makes you financially responsible for ownership of the vehicle.
5

Apply for a bonded title from your state. Once you have purchased a bond, return to the secretary of state to complete the titling process. You will then need to register your car to drive it legally.^[11]

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1
Check a DMV website for registration requirements. Before visiting a local state office where you can register your vehicle, check your state's DMV website to make sure you bring all of the necessary paperwork. While the specific process varies, the basic order of operation is similar in most states.^[12]
- The federal DMV website also has information about registration requirements in each U.S. state.
- Current registration is required in every U.S. state. While some states require you to update your registration annually, registration lasts longer in some states.
2
Download and fill out forms ahead of time. If you want to make sure you have everything ready before visiting the DMV, download all of the forms you'll need directly from the DMV website.^[13] Print them and fill them out at home to make sure you have all of the necessary information.^[14]
- You can also find information about applicable fees and taxes. Be ready to pay these when you register your car.
3
Visit a local state office to complete registration. The names of these offices may differ. For instance, your state may have brick-and-mortar DMV offices, while other states provide these administrative services at Secretary of State offices.^[15] Department of Revenue and Motor Vehicle Division offices also exist in some states.^[16]
- Bring along your title, proof of insurance, and emission test results or smog check paperwork if these are required in your state.
- Note that many states use your vehicles VIN as the vehicle registration number.
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Question

Do you need the title to register a car?

Bryan Hamby is the owner of Auto Broker Club, a trusted auto brokerage in Los Angeles, California. He founded Auto Broker Club in 2014 out of a passion for cars and a unique talent for customizing the car dealership process to be on the buyer's side. With 1,400+ deals closed, and a 90% customer retention rate, Bryan's focus is to simplify the car buying experience through transparency, fair pricing, and world class customer service.

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Expert Answer

Typically, yes. You need the title to register the car. However, if you don't have the title, you can just acquire that first at the DMV. It's a little bit different in each state, but it's not going to be super complicated most of the time.
Question

I bought a car from a private owner. He only gave me the title to the car. He had signed the title over to another person on the back of the title, but the person to whom it was sold never got the car. What should I do?

James Raymond

Community Answer

The owner from whom you purchased the vehicle needs to do one of two things: Send the title in to the state, with an affidavit attached saying the title was filled out in error, or have the previous owner file for lost title. When they receive the new title, they can sign it over to you.
Question

What is the typical wait time for the transfer of a title?

It's usually one to two weeks. A speedy title can be requested, which takes two to three days.
Question

What if there is no title and no way of contacting the previous owner? How could I register a car that was gifted to me?

In some states, gifting a vehicle has become a notarized transaction in order to verify the gifting process and ensure that the new owner isn't attempting to circumvent the payment of taxes. So getting the previous owner to affirm his signature to that notarized document is one issue since you say they are no longer reachable. With that said, since there is no title and no contact with the previous owner, states will require you to perform some kind of bonding process. This can be done on your own or with the help of a vehicle title service. Thetitlestor.com offers free consult and estimates.
Question

How do I register a car I bought from a guy who lost the title?

You need a copy of the title to complete the purchase or you will have to follow the steps in this article. It really depends on the state that you live in.
Question

Is it legal for a car title to be signed by the previous owner and another person?

Generally no, but it depends on your state.
Question

Can I register a car in MA while awaiting a replacement title?

If the car is already in your name and you have previously purchased registration before in MA, yes.
Question

I bought a car and I have the title and the bill of sale, but those documents have two different names on them. How can I register the vehicle in my name if I have no way to get in touch with the original owner?

Beau Chipman

Community Answer

It sounds like you were title jumped. Getting a bonded title might be your best solution. You can check to see if getting a bonded title is an option in your state online.
Question

What do I do if I need a title for my purchased vehicle and the owner is deceased?

Beau Chipman

Community Answer

Depending on the state you live in, your vehicle may be eligible for a bonded title. If your state doesn't offer that option, you might be able to get a court-ordered title for your vehicle.
Question

How do I transfer a vehicle to someone if I lost my title?

Beau Chipman

Community Answer

If your title is currently registered under your name, most states have the option to get a replacement title from the DMV. Once you receive your replacement title, you are able to transfer the title to the other party.

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Article Summary X

To register a car without a title, ask the previous owner to to fill out the transfer of ownership paperwork so that you can be issued a new title. If you're unable get in touch in the owner, or the title is lost or stolen, apply for a bonded title with your Secretary of State office. Then, visit your local Department of Motor Vehicles office to complete the registration. However, make sure to call or check the DMV website ahead of time to ensure that you bring the proper documentation For more advice, including how to purchase a surety bond before applying for a bonded title, keep reading.

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