There are many reasons why you may need to obtain a copy of your car title. If your car title was lost, damaged, stolen, or mutilated, it’s important to replace it as soon as possible. However, it’s essential to know that when a copy of a car title is issued, it is known as a duplicate title and becomes the active title. Once this duplicate title is printed, the old title is now invalid. A duplicate title is an exact copy of the certificate of title on file, and not everyone is eligible to get one. The only person(s) that are entitled to apply for a duplicate title is the current titleholder and the person whose name appears on the face of the title.
To get a copy of your car title, the process may vary depending on the state, but generally, this is how it works:
Duplicate titles are only issued from the state where the vehicle was last titled. If you’ve moved since you last titled your car, you must apply for a duplicate title with your former state of residence. The good news is that most of the time, duplicate title applications can be done by mail as long as all the necessary information and signatures are present.
All states have a duplicate title process for vehicles, but each has a slightly different form. Locate the form for your state, complete it in its entirety, have it notarized if needed, and mail it along with the duplicate title fees for your state to your state’s DMV. If your vehicle previously had a loan that has not been removed, you’ll also need to provide a lien release from your lender. Ensure all signatures are correct and visible on the application; if there is more than one owner, all owners must sign the duplicate title application.
Before mailing, make a photocopy of the documents you are sending. You won’t be able to use them for any official process, but it will be helpful to reference in the event that your DMV has any questions.
If your application is accepted, the DMV in your state will mail you your new title typically within 4-6 weeks. If there are problems with your application, a DMV agent will contact you directly by phone, email, or mail, as stated on the state application.
In conclusion, getting a copy of your car title is known as the duplicate title process and can only be done by the current titled owner of the vehicle. Make sure to gather all necessary information and documents for the DMV and make a photocopy for your own reference if needed. If it’s your car, you deserve a title in your name.
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Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request LetterPGlmcmFtZSBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vYXBwLmFjdWl0eXNjaGVkdWxpbmcuY29tL3NjaGVkdWxlLnBocD9vd25lcj0xOTQ4ODEyNiZhcHBvaW50bWVudFR5cGU9MjMwNjY0MTAiIHRpdGxlPSJTY2hlZHVsZSBBcHBvaW50bWVudCIgd2lkdGg9IjEwMCUiIGhlaWdodD0iODAwIiBmcmFtZUJvcmRlcj0iMCI+PC9pZnJhbWU+PHNjcmlwdCBzcmM9Imh0dHBzOi8vZW1iZWQuYWN1aXR5c2NoZWR1bGluZy5jb20vanMvZW1iZWQuanMiIHR5cGU9InRleHQvamF2YXNjcmlwdCI+PC9zY3JpcHQ+
If you look far and long enough, you’ll find several places and websites to purchase a VIN plate. In some cases, you’ll find actual VIN plates removed from a vehicle. Sometimes the VIN plate will come with a piece of the cowling; sometimes it’ll come with the rivets and a title. However, just because it’s available, doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to purchase and use on your vehicle.
Before you decide to do this, you’ll need to be aware of the federal laws surrounding VIN plates and VIN tampering. Oftentimes the reason someone wants to buy a VIN plate is to get around a permanent title brand, such as parts-only or a salvage title and they’re wanting to get it switched to a clean title without going through the bureaucratic steps. In most cases, when it comes to changing or removing VIN plates, what you’re intending to do might accidentally be a federal crime.
This crime is evidenced in 18 U.S. Code § 511 – Altering or removing motor vehicle identification numbers, and states the following:
“a) A person who—1) Knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters an identification number for a motor vehicle or motor vehicle part; or 2) with intent to further the theft of a motor vehicle, knowingly removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Prevention Act, shall be fined under this title imprisoned not more than 5 years, or both.”
It’s crucial to understand that the VIN is integral to the car. It’s what identifies the vehicle as the legal entity that it is; and if you start switching VINs, it’s almost like identity theft but for cars. You can’t put a Ford VIN on a Toyota and call it a Toyota. That VIN will always be a Ford VIN. When you start switching VINs to hide a title brand, it’s like trying to hide a criminal background. If you’re using a VIN switch to erase a brand or a lien or avoid inspection, that’s a federal crime.
Even though the federal statute clearly states that it’s a crime to remove a VIN plate, certain entities are authorized to do it.
According to 18 U.S. Code § 511 subsection (b), the following entities subsection (a) does not apply to the following unless the vehicle or part is stolen:
“(A) a motor vehicle scrap processor or a motor vehicle demolisher who complies with applicable State law with respect to such vehicle or part;
(B) a person who repairs such vehicle or part, if the removal, obliteration, tampering, or alteration is reasonably necessary for the repair;
(C) a person who restores or replaces an identification number for such vehicle or part in accordance with applicable State law; and
(D) a person who removes, obliterates, tampers with, or alters a decal or device affixed to a motor vehicle pursuant to the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act, if that person is the owner of the motor vehicle, or is authorized to remove, obliterate, tamper with or alter the decal or device by—
(i) the owner or his authorized agent;
(ii )applicable State or local law; or
(iii) regulations promulgated by the Attorney General to implement the Motor Vehicle Theft Prevention Act.”
Most states require that if you’re going to take a VIN plate off for repair you notify the state police before doing so. You’ll have to have the vehicle inspected before taking the VIN plate off, then inspected again after it’s put back on. They want to make sure you’re not taking a stolen car and putting a clean VIN on it because that defeats the whole purpose of a VIN in the first place. If your VIN plate is damaged, missing, or destroyed and you need to get a new one, you may be able to apply for a new VIN assignment through your state’s DMV.
The short answer is it may be tempting to buy a title and a VIN plate online, slap it on your car and call your title problems solved, but the problem is that it’s a federal crime that the FBI typically investigates. There are people who are serving prison time for this, not county jail time. The DOJ does not take VIN tampering lightly. Any signs of VIN tampering will set off alarm bells when it’s time to title and register your vehicle. And if they find that your VIN has been tampered with, such as scratches or screws instead of rivets, there will be a whole mess of legal problems.
Police offers are trained to look for tampered VIN plates. Every time they pull someone over, they look at the VIN plate. Not just to see the numbers but to look at the tamper-proof rivets and see if they’re scratched, the VIN plate is crooked, or anything else that may indicate that the VIN has been tampered with.
Even if you’re just taking the VIN plate off to paint the firewall correctly, with no foul intentions, just cosmetic to the vehicle, and it’s put back improperly, now your ownership is in jeopardy. VIN plates are crucial to the identity of the vehicle. If you have questions, consider contacting an attorney who specializes in automotive law. We are not lawyers and this is not legal advice.
If you’re considering using the Vermont title loophole to obtain proof of ownership for your vehicle, ensure your vehicle is eligible for this process. When using this title recovery method, the vehicle’s year, physical condition, and insurance are all factors to consider before filing.
Vermont is a non-titling jurisdiction and does not produce title certificates for vehicles that are 15 years old or older. When a vehicle that is 15 years old or older applies for title and registration, they receive a registration that is the state’s equivalent to a title and serves as proof of ownership. If your vehicle is less than 15 years old, this method of title recovery will not work.
If your vehicle is in parts, disassembled, missing proper equipment, not operable, or otherwise not in good mechanical condition, it is not eligible to be registered in Vermont. On the Vermont Registration Tax & Title Application (VD-119), the first line of the agreement states, “The owner certifies that this vehicle 1) is properly equipped and in good mechanical condition….” By signing this form, you swear under oath that the vehicle is properly equipped and in good mechanical condition. otherwise, the application is invalid, and you can be legally penalized.
Often, people try to make the application anyway. However, they’ll run into problems when paying sales tax. Vermont calculates the sales tax owed based on the NADA book value of the vehicle in complete working condition. If the vehicle is in parts, the owner will try to get the value lowered by sending in pictures of the vehicle or contacting the Vermont DMV directly. In these cases, the Vermont DMV will thank them for clarifying the vehicle’s condition and cancel the registration application. Sometimes the application can be redone after the vehicle has been assembled and inspected by an authorized agent in Vermont, but that invalidates the point of not having to go to Vermont in the first place. If your vehicle is not properly equipped and in good mechanical condition, the Vermont DMV will not accept your application.
When applying for registration in Vermont, you must have liability insurance for the vehicle. Again, at the bottom of the VD-119 form, you’re signing under penalty of perjury that you have liability insurance. If it comes back that you didn’t have this insurance but you signed that you did, your registration can be revoked.
If you’re trying to register a project car or a car in parts, the Vermont title loophole is not a method available to obtain a title. Remember, the Vermont process is only one way out of many ways to get a title and isn’t always the best method for every situation. Before looking at this process, consider another method of title recovery that may be more direct.
What is the best way to get a title for a vehicle in 2023? Several times per year, we like to update our clients and readers on the changing landscape of vehicle titles, updates to title laws, and what to expect from the DMV.
First, let’s look at what is generally required to transfer a vehicle title using the state of Michigan as an example. To transfer a title, you’ll need the following documents:
While each state has its own requirements, all states will look for these documents when it’s time to transfer the title. However, oftentimes the original certificate of title is missing and is the whole reason for you to be looking into other title methods. So if you purchase a vehicle and didn’t get a title, the title was lost, or you only have a bill of sale, what do you do?
One of the most common methods to get a vehicle title with a bill of sale is to use what’s known as the Vermont loophole, or the Vermont registration process. This method has been around for decades, does it still work in 2023? Technically, yes it’s something that can be done. It’s been used by people all over the country and featured in various automotive publications as a valid method to get a vehicle title.
Vermont is a non-titling district for vehicles that are 15 years old or older. Instead, Vermont issues a registration as their version of a title for a vehicle of this age that can be obtained by both residents and non-residents of the state. Once you receive the Vermont registration, you present it to your state’s DMV as proof of ownership and exchange it for a title certificate.
So on the surface, it’s a method to get a title for an older vehicle that lacks proper ownership documentation. However, it may not be the best method to use in all situations.
If you use this process, you’ll have to pay sales tax to Vermont based on the value of your vehicle. It’s not based on what you paid for it or what you think it’s worth, it’s based on the NADA book value of the vehicle. And at a 6% sales tax, in many cases, this ends up being many hundreds of dollars being paid to Vermont for sales tax. This cost is in addition to the registration fee from Vermont and any other fees from your state DMV.
While this process produces a valid ownership document, some states are starting to push back on allowing it. For example, in Florida, FLHSMV released an official notice to be on the lookout for fraudulent Vermont registrations. While the notice doesn’t outright say they won’t accept a Vermont registration in lieu of an original title certificate, it makes it very clear that the process will be heavily scrutinized to avoid fraudulent applications.
Since this is not a direct path to ownership, the timeline is not always straightforward. If all parts of the application process are done correctly and neatly, it’ll take at least 7-10 business days to get your documents from Vermont. Once that has been received, it can take that long for your home DMV to get an appointment, process the documents, and print you a new title.
The bonded title process is a very valuable and misunderstood method of title recovery. The bonded title process involves purchasing a surety bond, signing an affidavit, and submitting that to your DMV in exchange for a title. So, what’s so misunderstood about this process?
Most states require the surety bond value to be 1.5x the value of the vehicle, many see this as having to pay 1.5x the value of the vehicle to get a title, but that’s not the case. The value of the surety bond should equal 1.5x the value of the vehicle, but you’re only required to pay a fraction of that upfront. Most surety bonds for average-valued vehicles are around $100-$150 to purchase for your title. The remaining amount of the bond is only required to be paid if there is a discrepancy in ownership after the title is issued. So with the cost of the bond and your state’s fees and taxes, this method often is more cost-effective than the Vermont loophole. Additionally, it’s a method that your state will prefer.
A bonded title is a title brand that stays on your vehicle for 2-3 years, depending on your state. Many times this is misunderstood, thinking that it takes 2-3 years to get the title. Once you are issued a bonded title, the title will be labeled “BONDED” for 2-3 years before it is removed for good. A bonded title brand is not a permanent brand, it can eventually be turned into a clean title.
While this is a valuable and widely accepted method of title recovery, not all states accept bonded titles. So if you’re in a state that doesn’t accept bonded titles, and the Vermont loophole isn’t an option for your situation, how do you get a title with limited ownership?
When all else fails, or your state doesn’t accept bonded titles, a court-ordered title process may be your best option. If the original title has been lost, destroyed, stolen, or never received from the prior owner in the first place, you can go through the court system to have a judge legally declare you the owner of the vehicle. This process bypasses the DMV initially and takes the case straight to the courts. Even if they wanted to, the DMV can’t issue you a title without proper proof of ownership, it’s against government policies. However, the court can do it and a court order can bypass any DMV policies.
Most of the time, if you have all of your ducks in a row, meaning that the vehicle isn’t stolen, there are no liens, no permanent title brands, etc. the court-ordered title process is an extremely valuable and official method of getting a vehicle title without proper ownership proof. The court is here to hear your case and can make the decision to overrule DMV requirements as they see fit. There are 3,611 counties in the US and each of these counties has its own court-ordered title process that can be done to issue a vehicle title.
If you’re missing proper proof of ownership, the best way to get a title is through the court-ordered title process. While other methods also work, the court-ordered title process is the most direct and official way to get a new title issued in your name if you’re missing the old title.
So the good news is that the hurricanes that have hit Florida are largely over and a lot of rebuilding is happening. The bad news is that we’re already starting to see flood-damaged vehicles show up in the salvage auction pipelines.
A lot of these vehicles are being sold with junk titles, non-repairable titles, or certificates of destruction. And if you don’t know what you’re looking at, you can quickly get jammed up with one of these destruction-branded vehicles.
Just because the title designates the vehicle as non-repairable, don’t take that as a challenge for you to repair it anyways. If you see a vehicle with a certificate of destruction, don’t assume you can do something to save it from being destroyed. These are permanent title brands that remove these vehicles from the road. A lot of these vehicles look perfectly fine with no obvious physical damage. You might be able to see evidence of flood damage, but oftentimes they appear to be running and drivable, with maybe a few minor repairs needed.
The problem is, it doesn’t matter how minimal the repairs are. If the vehicle has been reported as non-repairable, junk, or given a certificate of destruction, the VIN is now canceled. A VIN is canceled when it is issued one of these destruction-brand titles, it also is recorded in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) which tells every state DMV that this particular VIN is never again allowed to be issued a title.
We’re already starting to see dozens of these vehicles show up in auctions from Copart and IAA. Sometimes buyers know that they’re being sold a vehicle title with a non-repairable title brand, but sometimes they don’t know. And if you don’t know, you could get stuck with a vehicle you paid good money for that you can never put on the road. Make sure before you buy a vehicle you verify that it’s not recorded in the NMVTIS database with a certificate of destruction or non-repairable title. If it has a salvage title, you can do something with that, but not for a certificate of destruction, non-repairable, junk, or parts title brand no matter how much you fix it up.
So be aware of these vehicles as you’re navigating the used car market and insurance auctions. If you’re buying through a broken, make sure that you understand what the broker is disclosing about the vehicle so you don’t get a vehicle that’s worthless and can’t go on the road.
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