How to Register a Car Without the Title

Typically, when registering a car, you can just take your old registration to the DMV before it expires to get a new registration. And when you buy a new car, you can use the title to get your registration. If you purchased a car and did not get a title from the seller, things get tricky. Not every state allows you to register a car without a title, which means you need to get your hands on one.

Things You'll Need

• Bill of Sale
• Lost title form

Instructions

1. Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they allow cars to be registered without a title. In some states, a bill of sale will suffice. The Planet Earth Autos website in the Resources section has links to the DMV by state.

2. Take your bill of sale to the DMV office to register your car if they allow it. If not, ask for a duplicate title form for the vehicle.

3. Ask the seller to complete the duplicate title form so that you can get the title. There may be a place on the form for the seller to assign ownership to you. If not, you will need to go back to the seller when the duplicate title arrives. Be sure to have the seller sign over the title to you when it arrives.

4. Return to the DMV with the duplicate title. Present it with your bill of sale to register the car in your name.

References

• CC Automobiles: How to Get a Title on a Car With Only a Bill of Sale
• DMV Answers: Bought car no title, so how can I register it?

Resources

• Planet Earth Autos: Department of Motor Vehicles by State