How to Obtain a Vehicle Title in Minnesota
A vehicle title is an important legal document that proves you own a vehicle and gives you the right to sell it. If you have lost or damaged the title to your Minnesota-registered vehicle or wish to purchase a Minnesota-registered vehicle with a lost or damaged title, you will need to obtain a duplicate title from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Obtaining a duplicate title in Minnesota before transferring the duplicate title to the buyer's name.
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Things You'll Need
- Minnesota Application for Duplicate Title, Registration, Cab or Lien Card
- Notification of Release, Grant or Assignment of Secured Interest
- Check or money order
Instructions
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Locate the vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). The VIN is engraved somewhere on the surface of the vehicle, depending on the make and model. If the vehicle is a car, check door frames, the steering column, the steering wheel, the dashboard, and the radiator support bracket first. If you have the car's registration document, the VIN should be listed there.
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Complete a Minnesota Application for Duplicate Title, Registration, Cab or Lien Card (see Resources section). You will have to provide identification information about the vehicle (including the VIN) and yourself, and the address of the seller. You will also have to obtain the signature of any party who holds a lien on the vehicle. Since this is a multi-purpose form, make sure to indicate that you are applying for duplicate title.
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Locate the car's current damaged title document if you are applying for a replacement of a damaged title instead of a lost title. This must be returned to the Minnestota Department of Public Safety.
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Have the lien holder complete a Notification of Release, Grant or Assignment of Secured Interest form (see Resources section) and return it to you. This form must be notarized by the lien holder.
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Make out a check or money order for $15.75 (as of 2010) to Driver and Vehicle Services. Mail the Minnesota Application for Duplicate Title, Registration, Cab or Lien Card, Notification of Release, Grant or Assignment of Secured Interest form (if applicable), the damaged title (if applicable), and the check or money order to Driver and Vehicle Services, 445 Minnesota St. Suite 168, St. Paul, MN 55101. The duplicate title should arrive within two weeks.
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Tips & Warnings
If you are applying for a lost title and you locate the old title after receiving a duplicate, mail it to the office where you mailed your duplicate title application .
If the vehicle has been reported a total loss by an insurance company, it will have a salvage title and cannot be operated on public roads even if has subsequently been restored to roadworthy condition. You will have to obtain a rebuilt title in order to obtain the legal right to drive it.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit car image by Warren Millar from Fotolia.com
