Where is my title?

Where Is My Title for My Car?

Buying and selling a car can generate a fair amount of paperwork, and it’s important to know what’s what to avoid problems further on down the road. And perhaps the most important piece of paperwork is the car’s title, which is the official legal document indicating who owns a specific vehicle.

Where Do I Get a Car Title?

Brand-new cars generally don’t get titles until they are sold to their first owners. The basic process is that the dealership notifies your state DMV of the sale, and the state then sends the title to the owner in the mail. Just remember that if you’re financing your purchase, the bank – or whoever makes the loan – is technically the owner of that car. In that case, they get the official title and you get a title indicating there’s a lien on your vehicle. That’s just a fancy way of saying that someone else has a legal ownership interest in the car. Of course, you’ll get the official title once you pay off the loan.

If you’re buying a used car, you get the title from the previous owner, who has to sign off on the document. You’ll have to include your signature as well, and your state will issue a fresh title after the old one is filed. It’s something that can be done in person at the DMV, but again, if you work with a dealership, the paperwork is usually filed for you and the actual title document is sent in the mail.

What are the Different Types of Titles?

A title also does more than just prove who owns a vehicle. The kind of title you have can provide important details about a car’s condition and history:

• A clean title means a person owns a vehicle outright, and that vehicle is not in a severely damaged condition.

• A lien-holder title, as discussed above, shows that someone else – usually a financial institution – has a legal interest in the vehicle.

• Branded titles are issued to vehicles with major damage that makes them unroadworthy, like when a car has been totaled by an insurance company for a crash, flood, etc. 

Branded titles can have different names in different states, so you may see terms like "salvage title," "junk title," "water-damage title," and others. You can still buy a vehicle with a branded title, but many banks won’t finance them, and many states won’t register them. However, most states will issue what’s known as a “rebuilt” title if you can prove that the vehicle has been sufficiently repaired to meet local guidelines.

Other Title Types to Know

In addition to clean, lien-holder, and branded titles, it's also helpful to be aware of these types:

• Duplicate Title: Issued when the original title is lost, stolen, or damaged.

• Reconstructed Title: Given to a vehicle that was previously branded as "salvage" or "junk" but has been rebuilt to meet safety standards.

• Bonded Title: Issued to vehicles with unclear ownership history. It requires the buyer to purchase a surety bond to cover potential ownership disputes.

• Export Title: Indicates that a vehicle is intended for sale outside of the country.

Buyers Beware

With all that in mind, folks in the market for used cars should keep these tips in mind:

• Always get a valid title when buying a vehicle and inspect it closely. Otherwise, you may not be able to prove it's yours later.

• A branded title is a tell-tale sign of a major vehicle problem. Most people who aren't car experts or don’t have a mechanic on call should probably avoid buying a car with a branded title.

• If you’re getting a loan, you’ll likely get a lien-holder title until you make your final payment.

What to Do If You Can't Find Your Title

Losing a title can be stressful, but it’s not the end of the world. Here’s what you should do:

1. Check Thoroughly: Sometimes titles can be misplaced. Check your files, safe deposit boxes, or any places where important documents might be stored.

2. Contact Your State DMV: If your title is truly lost, reach out to your state DMV or equivalent agency. Most states allow you to apply for a duplicate title either online or in person. Be prepared to provide personal identification, vehicle information (VIN), and any relevant fees.

3. Provide Required Documentation: Depending on the state, you might need additional paperwork like an application form, affidavit of loss, or lien release form.

4. Wait for Processing: Once you've submitted everything, it may take a few weeks to receive the duplicate title.

Now that you know, you can start shopping, start selling, and enjoy the whole Help Me Sell My Car site from wherever you have an Internet connection!