How to Get the Title to an Automobile
If you purchased an automobile without a title certificate and you are not sure who the owner of record is, you will need to obtain a bonded title. While this will involve research and expense, a bonded title is a substitute for a standard title and will allow the car to be insured and driven on public roads. It will also serve as evidence of your ownership of the car.
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Instructions
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Find out which government office issues bonded titles in your state. A good candidate is the state Division of Motor Vehicles.
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Obtain proof that you are a state resident. A state driver's license will suffice. If you don't have one, assemble utitily bills, your lease agreement, tax returns or any other documentary evidence of your residence.
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Obtain a vehicle inspection form from your state government. Inspect the automobile to determine its make, model, year, color and Vehicle Identification Number.
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Obtain a bonded title statement of fact sheet for your state government. Use the VIN to obtain a Vehicle History Report (see Resources) in order to determine if the car has been reported stolen in any state or has any liens against it. You will also need to have the car inspected by a state-approved salvage vehicle inspector to determine whether or not it is in roadworthy condition.
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Obtain evidence of your ownership of the car (such as a bill of sale). Take this document, your evidence of state residency, the vehicle inspection form and the statement of fact sheet to the state authority that issues bonded titles. You will be notified of the bond amount by mail.
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Take the state notification letter to any company that sells surety bonds and purchase a surety bond. Most automobile agencies can handle this for you.
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Take all the documents you used to apply for the surety bond together with proof of insurance and proof of payment of the surety bond to the county tax office. A bonded title will be issued to you.
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Tips & Warnings
If a salvage vehicle inspection reveals that the car is not roadworthy, you will have to repair it before good title can be issued. Until then, it will be eligible only for salvage title, which means that it cannot be insured or driven.
Your title bond may exceed the book value of the car.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Close up detail of a classic car at a car show image by Rob Hill from Fotolia.com
