The Ultimate Car Title Guide
When you buy or sell a used car, the vehicle certificate of title is the most important document in the entire transaction process. No matter which state you are in, a motor vehicle title clearly establishes proof of ownership. Transferring the title changes ownership of the vehicle.
Not only is the title required to buy or sell a vehicle, but it also functions as a legal document to let the government know who the current owner of that vehicle is.
What is a Car Title?
A car title is a legal document issued by the state in which you purchase a vehicle. It clearly establishes you as the owner of said vehicle.
Whether you buy a used car or a new one, you will receive the vehicle title once you have paid for the vehicle.
Though there are multiple documents involved in a vehicle sale, the title is perhaps the single most important one.
What Information is On a Car Title?
A title form contains identifying information about the vehicle, as well as identifying information about the vehicle’s owner. Title information includes:
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
- The vehicle’s make (manufacturer)
- The vehicle’s model
- The vehicle’s year of manufacture
- The vehicle’s license plate number
- Technical info about the vehicle, such as its weight
- The owner’s name and mailing address
- Lienholder info, if there is a lien against the vehicle
Car Title Vs Registration
Vehicle title and registration are often confused with each other but are distinct. Let’s examine the differences between the two.
What is Car Registration?
Vehicle registration is proof that you’ve registered your car with your state and have paid any outstanding fees or taxes. Here are the main distinctions between title and registration:
- A title certificate proves you own the car
- A registration card allows you (and others) to drive the car on public roads
- Vehicle registration needs to be renewed, usually annually
- A vehicle title does not need to be renewed
In the case of a used car sale, the buyer will need to register the car and pay the associated registration fee.
Registered Owner vs Legal Owner of a Car
In most situations, the registered owner and legal owner of a vehicle are the same person. However, if you sell your used car privately, there may be a short interval in which the buyer is the legal owner of their newly purchased car, while you are still the registered owner.
- The legal owner of the car is the one on the title as owner
- The registered owner of the car is the one who has last registered the car with the state
This slight difference is why it’s important that the seller of a car notify the state that they are no longer the owner…and why the buyer needs to re-register the car with the state with their registration information.
Can I Register My Vehicle in a Different Name than on the Title?
In most cases, however, vehicles are titled and registered under the same name—that of the current vehicle owner.
What if My Car Title is Lost?
If your vehicle title has been lost, damaged, destroyed, or stolen, you’ll want to get a replacement title—also known as a duplicate title—right away. Every state has its own process for getting a duplicate title.
Many states allow you to apply for a duplicate title form online; others do not. Most states allow you to print a PDF of their respective duplicate title form; just Google “STATE duplicate title” with the name of your state replacing “STATE” and you should find title applications for any state. Plus, the specific instructions for your state should be on its official replacement title form.
Though the specific requirements of each state vary, most states will require the following to issue a duplicate certificate of title. You can submit these when you submit your application for certificate of replacement title.
- Proof of ownership of the vehicle
- Proof of liability insurance on the vehicle
- Driver’s license or other accepted form of ID
- Proof of registration
How Can I Transfer My Car Title?
To transfer the title of your car, you and the title recipient (the person you’re transferring ownership to) will need to complete the following steps:
1. Agree on terms (negotiate a price for the sale of the car that you both agree upon)
2. Buyer pays seller
3. Seller fills out all necessary info on the title and signs it over to buyer
4. If the title lists two owners, both may have to sign
5. Seller completes odometer disclosure statement (required in some states)
6. If the car has a loan outstanding, the financial institution (listed as a lienholder) will need to either be paid off, or consent to the transaction
7. Buyer gets liability insurance on car
8. Buyer registers their newly purchased vehicle (will need to provide proof of insurance as well as driver’s license or id)
9. Buyer gets temporary permit to drive the car—most states have a streamlined process for obtaining temporary permits
10. Buyer pays the state’s title transfer fee
11. Buyer or seller may need to complete a transfer of ownership and submit it to their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)—depending on the state
Title Transfer by State
Types of Car Titles
Clear Vehicle Title
A clear title indicates that a vehicle has no outstanding loan or lien. It is the most common—and best—type of car title.
Junk Vehicle Title
A junk title indicates that a vehicle has been or will be sold for scrap, or will be disassembled and sold for parts. Some states consider junk titles and salvage titles to be the same.
Salvage Vehicle Title
A salvage title is issued if a vehicle has suffered a significant decrease in value. Usually, this happens as the result of an accident, but can also occur following a theft or even a major repair. In most cases, the insurance company that holds a policy on the vehicle is the party who initiates the issuance of a salvage title.
Bonded Vehicle Title
A bonded vehicle title is issued in cases in which there is no legal owner of a vehicle. To get a bonded title, you will need to buy a surety bond, which will be used to reimburse the rightful owner, should the applicant seek to obtain title fraudulently.
After a specified amount of time—which can vary from state to state—a bonded title can become a regular title if uncontested.
A bonded vehicle title is sometimes used for abandoned vehicles in cases where an owner cannot be found; also for vehicles for which the registered owner is deceased.
With a bonded title, you can still register your vehicle and drive it.
Odometer Rollback Title
If a vehicle’s odometer has been illegally turned back to report less mileage than a vehicle actually has, that vehicle will need an odometer rollback title. Tampering with a vehicle’s odometer is illegal; the mileage on the odometer (as well as on the odometer mileage statement) should always be a true indication of the vehicle’s actual mileage.
Reconstructed Vehicle Title
When a car has undergone major repairs or other transformations, an insurance company may issue a reconstructed title. A vehicle with a reconstructed title can be registered and driven like any other vehicle—provided it passes a safety inspection.
Can I Get a Copy of My Car Title Online?
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