If you don’t own it, can you sell a car on behalf of someone else?
A car title is a legal government document. Similar to a passport or a social security card, this document is only valid if it is printed by an official government agency. You cannot print a car title online or buy one from a non-government agency.
The purpose of a car title is to prove that you own your vehicle and have proof of ownership for that vehicle. This makes it easier for you to sell or trade in your vehicle, as well as transferring ownership of the vehicle from owner to owner.
If you’re not the legal owner of the car, you cannot sell the vehicle without the owner’s signature and permission. However, if the owner signed a power of attorney, you may be able to sell the car on their behalf.
A power of attorney is a legal document that enables an individual to delegate authority over his or her financial affairs to another person. The person who holds power of attorney can handle asset transactions and banking activities on behalf of someone else. In most cases, this is done when someone is ill or incapacitated and cannot handle these tasks for themselves.
If the owner of your car has signed a power of attorney form giving you permission to sell his or her vehicle on their behalf, then you can legally sell it off as long as it’s not in violation of any other laws or contracts filed by either party involved.
Every state has a process to transfer a vehicle title from a deceased owner. This process may involve providing the owner’s death certificate and usually can only be done by relatives or with their written approval.
Looking for more information on the deceased owner title transfer process? Check out our article: What To Do If You Have A Lost Title & Deceased Owner
Oftentimes when a member of the military is deployed, they’ll leave their vehicle in the care of a trusted civilian relative. Before deploying, many military service members will provide a power of attorney to that relative to handle their assets while being deployed. If there is no power of attorney, contact the base where they are posted. The base will provide opportunities for military service members to sign documents and conduct other civilian business when necessary.
If the owner of the vehicle is in prison or jail, they likely did not have the time beforehand to sign a power of attorney. However, every prison or jail has a “signing day” typically once or twice per month where inmates are able to sign official documents needed for their outside life.
If the co-owner is an ex-spouse, the process to sell the vehicle may be a bit more difficult. If you can get your ex-spouse to sign off on the title transfer, then you will have no problems. If you cannot get your ex-spouse to sign the title or they are not able to be contacted, you can request a court-ordered title with your county clerk.
If you’re not the owner, it’s probably not yours to sell unless you have a power of attorney. The DMV won’t just take your word that you are the owner of a vehicle unless you have the signed certificate of title. Remember, selling a vehicle without a title is illegal in many jurisdictions. However, if you’re in one of these four scenarios, consider the options available to transfer the title.
CarTitles.com takes the hassle out of applying for a title for your vehicle. Our team of title experts can help prepare your paperwork for any title recovery method provided.
Car title scams are a scary reality. At CarTitles.com, we work with clients every day who have unfortunately fallen victim to a car title scam. A car title transfer is a legal process so one may think it’s difficult to pull off a car title scam, but it’s important to remember that scammers also know these legal processes and how to get around them without being detected.
Scammers are able to continue their scams because many people are unfamiliar with their tactics. CarTitles.com has been a trusted resource for consumer title information since 2009 and in these years of experience, we’ve gathered information on how these scams play out. Here is a list of the top 5 most common car title scams that we’ve seen over the years:
First off, it’s important to note that to get a new title it must be issued from the department of motor vehicles or an equivalent state government entity. You, as the vehicle owner, will be required to sign the official documents or sign a power of attorney.
The scam goes like this: A title company will claim to be able to get your title for you for a large amount of money, somewhere between $400-$800 usually. They won’t send you any documents to sign or a power of attorney, nor will they explain the process they are using. After you pay them this large amount of money, they’ll try to apply for a duplicate title in your name. Remember, they don’t have your legal permission to do so, so this method is automatically illegal. If the process works, they’ll keep the extra hundreds of dollars in profit and send you an illegal title that could end up being revoked. If the duplicate title scam doesn’t work, they’ll claim that your vehicle has a VIN problem and that violated their terms and conditions so they get to keep your money and you’re out of a title.
A mechanic’s lien is a legal process that allows body shops, repair shops, and towing companies to place a lien on a vehicle and sell it at auction to recover funds from an unpaid bill for the repair, storage, or towing fees.
The scam goes like this: A mechanic or tow company will claim that they can get you a title for your vehicle at a low cost. They’ll falsify documents to claim that the vehicle was brought in under legitimate circumstances and go through the entire mechanic’s lien process. Once the process is finished, you’ll either end up with an illegal title from a mechanic’s lien process or the company will auction off your vehicle to keep the profit. The worst part is because it’s a mechanic’s lien process and the company has “evidence” of the process, many times it’s their word over yours.
In the majority of cases, an abandoned vehicle is not allowed to be kept by the finder and must be towed and sold at auction. There are very few places that allow for vehicles that are claimed abandoned to be titled by the finder.
The scam goes like this: Someone will claim to be able to get you a title using the abandoned vehicle process. What will actually happen is that your vehicle will be claimed abandoned, towed from your property, and sold at auction. There are very few jurisdictions where this is not the case for an abandoned vehicle. The scammer may be the one to auction your vehicle or benefit from the auction.
Title washing is a federal offense! Title washing occurs when a title is branded with a permanent brand (such as salvage, junk, non-repairable, certificate of destruction, or parts-only) but someone attempts to remove the brand without going through the official inspection process.
The scam goes like this: Someone will claim to be able to clear your title from its permanent brand. They won’t tell you about the process they are using or they will be very vague in their description. The scammer will wash the title of the brand in any way they can, even if that means printing a fake title, and will return to you an illegal title. You may not even know it until it’s time to transfer your title to a new owner and the VIN will be flagged at the DMV. Even if you weren’t aware of this method being used, you may still be held liable and prosecuted for title washing.
The ownership transfer scam is one of the oldest scams in the book and is still seen frequently. If someone says you need to transfer ownership to get a clean title, this is a red flag.
The scam goes like this: Someone will claim to be able to clear the lien off of your title, remove the bonded stamp, or get a new name printed on the front. They’ll tell you that the easiest way for them to help is if you signed over the title so they can sign the documents personally without a power of attorney. Once you sign the title over, that’s it. The scammer can then transfer the title into their name because they have the signed certificate of title from you. If this happens, you won’t be able to report the vehicle as stolen because it’s no longer in your name.
Car title scams have been around for a while, but they continue to be popular among scammers due to the fact that they offer such a low-risk/high-reward scenario. Often, these scams are successful because they’re so unexpected and confusing for consumers. The best way to protect yourself from any type of scam is to be vigilant and educate yourself on common scam tactics.
Get expert advice for buying or selling your car with TelAdvice.com. Our team of automotive experts can provide you with tailored advice to navigate the process with confidence. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards a stress-free buying or selling experience.
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If you are a Tennessee resident, a bonded title can be an effective way to recover your vehicle title if you don’t have sufficient evidence of ownership.
To get started with a bonded title in Tennessee, make sure that your vehicle meets all of the above requirements. In Tennessee, the Department of Revenue Special Investigations Unit oversees the bonded title application process. If your vehicle is eligible, start gathering the required documents.
Before a bonded title can be issued in Tennessee, you must notify the prior owner of the title transfer. If you know who the prior owner is, you must contact them by certified mail and request that they return the original assigned certificate of title.
If you do not know the prior owner of the vehicle, you must notify the public of your intent to title the vehicle. In a general circulating publication through your county of residence, you must post your intent and allow the prior owner and any other security interests 10 days to come forward to reclaim the vehicle. Anyone who has an interest in the vehicle must contact you within 10 days of the publication via certified mail and the required method of contact must be posted in the publication.
Once your Surety Bond Application and Notarized Bill of Sale or Statement of Facts are approved, purchase your surety bond from an approved provider. There are two options for purchasing a title bond for a bonded title in Tennessee:
The process to get a bonded title in Tennessee is a great option for vehicles under 30 years old that are missing evidence of ownership. If you are a resident of Tennessee and you are missing sufficient evidence of ownership, consider obtaining a bonded title for your vehicle. After 3 years, you will be able to remove the BONDED stamp from the title and transfer it to a clean title. If it’s your car, you deserve a title in your name.
CarTitles.com takes the hassle out of applying for a title for your vehicle. Our team of title experts can help prepare your paperwork for your Tennessee bonded title or any other title recovery method provided.
Looking for a quote for your title bond? Check out ProBonds.com!
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For as little as $159 for most processes, we will save you the headache and prepare all of the car title paperwork needed to get you a new title. Simply choose the title recovery method you’d like to use and we’ll get started!
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If you are a resident of Nevada, a bonded title is a valuable method of vehicle title recovery available to you if you are lacking sufficient evidence of ownership.
There are minimal requirements to get a bonded title in Nevada, however, your vehicle must meet these specifications to be eligible:
Once your vehicle is approved by the Title Research Section, begin the Affidavit for Bonded Vehicle Title (VP 271). When completing this document, read all section instructions before filling in any spaces. Many spaces on this form will be required to be completed by a DMV agent or other authorized state agent.
Not all states require an inspection, but to get a bonded title in Nevada, you must schedule an inspection according to NRS 482.220 standards with a DMV agent or other authorized state agent. At this appointment, be sure to bring along your Affidavit for Bonded Vehicle Title (VP 271) as the inspector will be required to complete a portion of this official document. Take photos of all four sides of the vehicle for reference and to include in your application.
Once your inspection is complete and you’ve completed the appropriate sections on your Affidavit for Bonded Vehicle Title, mail the application as well as other supporting ownership documents to the Title Research Section. After the agency approves your affidavit, they will contact you with the bond amount to purchase and return your documents.
Typically, the bond amount is required to be 1.5x the book value of the vehicle. Your DMV agent will tell you the type of book value to use for this calculation. Remember, you’re not actually required to pay 1.5x the value of the vehicle upfront, just a portion of that to secure the title bond. After your bond has been purchased, complete the Vehicle Bond Affidavit (VP 272) and have it notarized by a public notary or witnessed by a DMV agent. Last, return all documents to the Title Research Section of the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles to complete the application process.
The process to get a bonded title in Nevada is slightly more simple than in other states. If you are a resident of Nevada and you are missing sufficient evidence of ownership, consider obtaining a bonded title for your vehicle. After 3 years, you will be able to remove the BONDED stamp from the title and transfer it to a clean title. If it’s your car, you deserve a title in your name.
CarTitles.com takes the hassle out of applying for a title for your vehicle. Our team of title experts can help prepare your paperwork for your Nevada bonded title or any other title recovery method provided.
The bonded title process is an extremely valuable alternative to traditional vehicle titling that can be used in most states. If you are looking to title your vehicle, but find that you are missing the prior title or other evidence of ownership, you may be able to obtain a vehicle title using the bonded title process. In a bonded title process, the applicant is required to obtain a title bond for the vehicle. How does the bonded title process work and where do you get a title bond?
A bonded title is an alternative method of title recovery that requires the issuance of a title bond to secure the vehicle title. A bonded title is typically required when the owner of a vehicle does not have sufficient evidence of ownership needed to apply for a new title. Once a bonded title is issued, the title will be stamped BONDED in big letters. However, this is not a permanent title brand. This bonded title brand typically only lasts 3-5 years depending on your state. Once the 3-5 year time period has passed, you can apply for a clean title as long as there are no other clouds on the current title.
A title bond, also known as a motor vehicle title bond, is a type of surety bond that is issued as an insurance policy to secure the claim of vehicle ownership. The DMV in your state will require a title bond to be issued because essentially they are taking your word as the owner and to prevent their liability in the event of ownership discrepancy being discovered after the title is issued.
Each state will have different requirements for the value of your title bond. Many states require the bond value to be 1.5x the value of the vehicle. However, that’s not to say that if your vehicle is worth $10,000 that you have to pay $15,000 to get your title. When purchasing a title bond, you will only be required to pay a portion of the value to secure the bond. Typically, a bond will cost about $100-$150 for most moderately valued vehicles. You won’t be required to pay the full cost of the bond unless there is an ownership discrepancy found after the bonded title is issued.
Title bonds can be purchased from any licensed bonding company or insurance company. Looking to get a quote on a title bond for your bonded title process? Check out ProBonds.com!
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Delaware, Hawaii, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Virginia, and West Virginia.
If you live in one of these states, but would still like to pursue a bonded title process, you may be eligible to obtain an out-of-state bonded title from Vermont. You do not have to be a resident of Vermont to qualify, but the vehicle has to be at least 15 years old or older. Before pursuing this option, make sure that your state will accept this title as evidence of ownership for transfer.
In states that accept the bonded title process, make sure that your vehicle qualifies. Many states, although they accept the process, will have certain requirements such as the vehicle must be over a certain model year. In addition, make sure you are purchasing the correct value of the bond. Title bonds are NOT refundable and should only be purchased if eligibility is met for a bonded title.
Remember, the bonded title process isn’t as streamlined as the traditional title transfer process. Check your state’s process to make sure you have all of the correct paperwork, inspections, and documentation completed prior to your application.
A vehicle history report isn’t required for a bonded title or a title bond, but is a good idea to do before starting the process, especially if you’ve recently purchased the vehicle. A vehicle history report through one of the NMVTIS-approved providers can tell you if your vehicle has been branded as salvage, has an accident history, has ever been reported stolen, sold at auction, etc. This is important because if a vehicle has ever been branded salvage, junk, parts-only, nonrepairable, or any other permanent title brand, they are NOT eligible for a bonded title or any vehicle title other than the current brand.
When submitting your application, you may be required to pay sales tax and a fee for your state title application. Review your state’s fees prior to submission to ensure all applicable fees and taxes are paid on time.
Having a title brand may seem less than ideal, but a bonded title brand is nothing to be concerned about. Important documents are lost and damaged all of the time, it’s not uncommon for this to also happen to a vehicle title. If you’re ready to get started on your bonded title process, CarTitles.com is ready to help prepare your documents for success.
Looking for a quote on your title bond? Get started today with ProBonds.com!
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