by Armando Martinez
Let's first take a look at why a lost car title is so significant in the car sale process. Then we'll consider how you can order a replacement and how you can make the entire car title transfer process less stressful.
What's the Significance of a Lost Title?
A lost title affects your ability to own or sell your vehicle legally.
What Is a Lost Title?
A car title is a document proving that you own your vehicle legally. The title includes essential information about your vehicle, such as the following:
- Make
- Model
- Manufacturing year
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Mileage
- Previous owners
- Any liens
A lost title is a title registered in your name, but the certificate of title was lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed.
The Significance of Lost Titles
You must have a title to:
- Register your car
- Receive license plates
- Qualify for car loans
You can't complete these important processes if you lost the title to your car. You must legally transfer the title to the buyer upon purchase when selling a vehicle.
Your buyer can get a new title through title recovery — legal processes that allow them to get a new title in their name if they don't have sufficient evidence of ownership. However, this process can take up to two months and increase title fees, making a lost title much more challenging to make a car sale.
How To Order a Replacement Title
It's obvious that a car title is important for any car sale, so you may wonder what to do if you have lost a car title.
You can apply for a replacement title or duplicate title if you lost your original title. To do so, you must be registered as the current vehicle owner at the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
You can order a replacement title in four simple steps:
- Go to the DMV in the state where the car was last titled
- Complete the duplicate title application form
- Provide proper identification documents
- Pay the application fees
Check if Your State Supports eTitle Transfers
Once you've received a replacement title, you can sell your vehicle without any issues. Title transfers involve a lot of time and paperwork, so it may be best to check if the state supports eTitle transfers.
Transferring vehicle ownership electronically can be much faster and more secure than gathering documentation, completing all the paperwork physically, going to DMV offices, and arranging meetings with the buyer for the title transfer.
This article was written by Armando Martinez. Armando Martinez is among the nation’s experts on automotive titling, registration, DMV services and document operations. With nearly two decades of experience across a broad range of financial services functions and some of the largest names in auto, from Wells Fargo to Uber, Armando combines vision and ingenuity with a wealth of information so auto shoppers and sellers can learn from his experience.
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