The certificate of vehicle title is a legal document that proves ownership of a vehicle. You can’t just assume ownership by buying a title or even printing yourself a new one — it’s been legally issued by the state’s governing title agency, and can be considered invalid if it has any marks, changes, or otherwise has been tampered with. So what happens if there is an error on your vehicle title?
A vehicle title or certificate of title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. Vehicle titles are only printed by the DMV or another authorized state agency. The vehicle title is given to the buyer typically at the time of purchase when ownership is signed over by the seller or dealership.
If you notice an error on your vehicle title, it’s important to address it with your state DMV as soon as possible. An error on a vehicle title can be a misspelling of names, an inaccurate odometer statement, an incorrect sale date, or other miscellaneous errors. An error is not considered to be title document damage, mutilation, or loss of the vehicle title. Do not attempt to make any changes yourself or it may invalidate your title and put your legal ownership status at risk.
Most states actually have a process to fix errors on vehicle titles. In Indiana, it’s called an Affidavit for Certificate of Title Correction. To fix errors on your vehicle title in Indiana, simply complete the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) form 55582 and submit the completed form to the BMV office. This process is for titles completed in error only and will not work for title transfers.
If your vehicle title is lost, damaged, or stolen, it’s not considered to be a vehicle title error. In this case, if you were the last titled owner, you may be eligible to simply apply for a duplicate title in your state. Be advised that a duplicate title can only be produced from the state DMV where the vehicle was last titled. Additionally, only the registered titleholder in the state DMV records is able to apply and receive a duplicate title. Most states charge a duplicate title fee ranging from $2-$25 per application.
When buying a car, make sure to check the title and the ID of the seller before buying and transferring the title. Once you have received your title, keep it in a safe space. If you know there are issues on your title, get them fixed as quickly as possible to avoid delays further down the line.
A bonded title is a type of vehicle title that is issued using a surety bond when the vehicle owner does not have valid prior title documents or those documents have been damaged. Typically, a vehicle title is signed over to the new owner by the prior titleholder when purchasing the vehicle. If you live in California and you are trying to obtain a new vehicle title without valid prior title documents, you may be able to obtain a bonded title. How do you obtain a bonded title in California?
When the required supporting evidence of ownership is not available and at least one of the following conditions exists, a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) or a bond alternative must be submitted:
Registration issued to out-of-state vehicles when their owners are unable to show proof of ownership is called non-transferable registration. Until those conditions are met, the vehicle cannot be sold, transferred, or issued a California Certificate of Title.
Simply completing a Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond (REG 5057) form is acceptable under the following circumstances:
If your vehicle meets the eligibility of a bonded title in California, a surety bond must be obtained to secure the assignment of title.
A bond is required for the fair market value of the vehicle or vessel, as determined by one of the following methods:
If you are applying for a bonded title in California, it’s imperative to note that the bond must be signed by the surety and the signature must be notarized. Some surety companies may preprint a bond with the surety’s signature and notary acknowledgment. This is not accepted in California. The bond cannot be preprinted with signatures, the surety must have their signature notarized.
In California, titles are recorded in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Missing ownership documents can complicate the title application process. In order to avoid delays and other legal issues, consider applying for a bonded title. This type of title designation is not permanent; after a few years, the bonded title designation will be removed from your California title. Remember to carefully review your state’s laws and regulations regarding vehicle titles before proceeding with any method of title recovery.
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 California bonded title or any other title recovery method provided.
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If you are a licensed automotive facility and have repaired a vehicle, chances are that the state in which you are operating has a process for obtaining a mechanic’s lien to ensure you recover your costs. However, if you are not licensed in that state, you cannot file for a mechanic’s lien. The mechanic’s lien process is complex and should only be pursued as a last resort; it is not an easy way to title the vehicle. If you are an authorized entity, check with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles to find out what steps must be taken to correctly file for a mechanic’s lien.
In the simplest terms, a mechanic’s lien is a process that licensed automotive facilities can use to recover the costs of an unpaid bill. Typically this happens if a vehicle has been towed, stored, or otherwise left unattended by the registered owner with an unpaid service bill for a specific amount of time.
In order to be eligible for a mechanic’s lien in Kentucky, a vehicle or vessel must be in the possession of a person engaged in the business of selling, repairing, or furnishing parts for vehicles and the owner of that vehicle owes that person charges for repairs, labor, or supplies for more than 30 days. Once the vehicle or vessel has met this criterion, it may be sold at auction in order to pay for the accrued charges.
Before the sale can proceed, you must make all reasonable attempts to contact the registered owner and any security interests such as lienholders. This information must come from a title search to ensure the proper parties are contacted according to the DMV’s records. This contact must be made through certified mail to notify the owner and lienholder of the proposed sale. This initial notice of sale must be sent at least ten days prior to the proposed sale date. Be sure to keep all certified mail receipts as they will be needed when applying for a title.
In addition to the notice, you must also advertise the sale in the local newspaper once a week for three consecutive weeks. The advertisement must include the year, make, model, VIN, name of the owner(s), name of the lienholder(s), and the name, address, and phone number of your automotive shop.
Once all notification requirements have been completed, you can proceed with the sale. The sale may be made to an outside buyer, or your shop may also bid on the vehicle. In compliance with Kentucky statutes above (KRS.376.270, KRS 376.280, and KRS 424.130), the purchaser of a vehicle sold under a mechanic’s lien must provide the following documents when applying for a vehicle title:
The Kentucky mechanic’s lien process is an important part of the automotive industry. Commonly, however, mechanic’s liens are filed on a car before the work is finished or in bad faith. To prevent fraudulent applications, the DMV frequently checks the authenticity of mechanic’s liens. If you have done everything right but your application was not accepted by the DMV, do not panic. The steps to filing a mechanic’s lien are complex and often error-prone, so it is unavoidable that some mistakes will be made along the way. To ensure that your application was not rejected in error, resubmit it with any changes requested by the DMV. If your lien application was rejected by the DMV for erroneous reasons and you feel it was appropriate, there are many steps you can take to ensure that your mechanic’s lien is recognized as valid.
For more information on the mechanic’s lien process in Kentucky, click here for a PDF link to these statues. Want help getting started on your mechanic’s lien or storage lien? CarTitles.com is an expert at handling challenging title situations. Let us help you get started with your mechanic’s lien process.
The Vermont DMV requires a VIN verification for most vehicles that apply for a title using the Vermont title loophole. The temporary suspension of the VIN verification requirement during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic has recently been removed, and now more and more vehicle titling applicants are being held to this requirement. If you are looking to title a car using the Vermont title loophole, it can really save you time when you understand what is required for a successful VIN verification.
The vehicle identification number (VIN) is the specific 17-character code that identifies a car. Every car has its own VIN; no two cars are exactly alike. The VIN is assigned to the vehicle when it’s manufactured, and it’s typically stamped on a metal tag and is often located on the driver’s side of the dash, the door jamb, or under the hood. However, some vehicles manufactured before 1981 have a shorter 11-character VIN. This change in regulation grandfathered in certain vehicles and allows for those vehicles to still be titled.
VIN verification is a very important process that verifies that the VIN listed on a vehicle title is the same VIN listed on the physical vehicle. The Vermont VIN verification process is completed using the form Verification of VIN/HIN (VT-010). Many states have adopted a VIN verification policy when titling vehicles and this process is taken very seriously. The reason Vermont requires a VIN verification for the Vermont title loophole is that the vehicle is not required to physically be in Vermont. This means if the VIN wasn’t verified, the applicant can put any VIN on the official application and get a title for any vehicle. The reason for this policy is to protect applicants and the DMV from fraudulent titles.
No, a VIN check and VIN verification are two separate activities. A VIN verification is an official process that involves a government official or representative inspecting the VIN of your vehicle for accuracy. If your application requires a VIN verification, this is not something that can be done online. It must be done in person with an authorized state agent.
A VIN check is an informal process that lets you check your vehicle identification number (VIN) against the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) database. You can use a VIN check to find out whether your vehicle has had any title brands on it, such as salvage or junk. A VIN verification is a more involved and formal process in which you contact an agent from the state motor vehicle department.
The National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) is a database that contains information about salvage, junk, and other damage-titled vehicles. Vehicles in this database are not eligible for a title because they have received a title brand such as salvage or junk which deems them inoperable. The database is designed to protect consumers by allowing them to check the history of the vehicle they are intending to purchase or have already purchased.
The Vermont VIN verification for out-of-state residents using the Vermont title loophole has always been a requirement. As you are completing your application for the Vermont title loophole in 2022, we recommend including a VIN verification just in case. If you are submitting an application for a Vermont motorcycle title, you must complete a VIN verification. The Vermont VIN verification helps to make sure that the VIN on your title matches the VIN on your vehicle. Performing this step can save you significant time and help you get your Vermont title faster.
If you recently bought a car from a dealership that is no longer in business, you might have an issue getting the title transferred to your name. Unfortunately, when a dealership is getting ready to go out of business or having financial troubles, they’ll sell vehicles that they don’t have the title for or can’t obtain the title for without paying off a lien first. This way, they avoid extra fees for registration and/or liens since they’re going out of business anyway. So where does that leave the new owner? The dealership is hoping that this will now be their problem, but there are still ways to get your car title from a closed dealership.
States like New Jersey have a clear process for acquiring a car title, should the dealership go out of business before you get the title. If you bought a car without a title from a dealership in New Jersey that went out of business prior to issuing your car title, you can apply to acquire a title from the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (NJ MVC). This is a 14 step process that allows for emergency application for vehicle title in the event that your dealership has gone out of business prior to issuing your: title, plates, and/or registration. Each state handles this process differently, be sure to check your state’s requirements before proceeding with any official application.
Other states, like Indiana, have a different process requiring you to contact the dealership directly. If your state requires you to contact the dealership directly, the first step is to look up the business in your state’s Secretary of State database and search for the principal name, registered agent, and addresses. Next, write your letter clearly stating what you need from the dealership and send it by certified mail to the principal, registered agent, and any additional officers listed. Before sending any letters, it’s important to review your state’s requirements to ensure all of the criteria are met and that the correct parties will receive your letter. Sending your letter to multiple contacts within the company increases the likelihood that you will receive a response and provides proof that you attempted to make contact.
Car buying might be one of the most exciting experiences of your life. But if you’re scammed, it can quickly become unpleasant. The best way to prevent yourself from buying a car with no title is to ask for the dealership to show you the physical title. While they may not be able to hand over the title at that time, they can show you that they physically have it. If they’re a reputable dealership, they’ll show you the title. Even if you’ve already bought a car without a title, there are still ways to get the title you deserve.
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