So how do I get a lost car title in the state of Colorado? Colorado is one of the least expensive states to get a duplicate replacement title.
Form and CostThey have form numbered ER to 539. It’s a very simple form to fill out at all. It costs eight dollars in Colorado and is done through the Department of Revenue.
Identification RequirementsYou need to show ID with that application to make sure you are the legal title owner. Be sure to fill out that form carefully because there’s no refund if there’s an error. They don’t send it back with your check; they just send it back saying it was an error, and they keep your $8.00.
Receiving the TitleOnce it’s done, they will send you exactly this right here in a legal title document. If for some reason your address has changed, you’ll need to show an ID to make sure that the new address is reflected on the title.
Mailing AddressIf you do it by mail, they’ll send it to that new address only if your ID shows that that’s your new changed address with them.
Power of AttorneyThey will also accept a power of attorney from the legal title owner, but that will need to be notarized.
Visit Our YouTube Channel for more insights and discussions on various topics. Consider subscribing to our YouTube channel. Click here!
So how do you get a lost car title in the state of Indiana?
Application ProcessIn Indiana, you apply for a lost duplicate car title through the Bureau of Motor Vehicles. They have a very specific form you can download. You can even get it from our website at cartitles.com.
Identification RequirementDo you need a valid ID to apply for that title? They want to make sure that you are the legal title owner and that you provide ID to prove that.
Online ApplicationThere’s an online application you can use. They also have a speed title. This is something very rare among the states for duplicate car titles.
Speed Title ServiceIf you go through their speed title online, they will actually send that by FedEx Ground to your address once it’s done and you send it in.
Receipt of TitleYou’ll receive this legal title document from Indiana, and that will evidence your ownership of the vehicle for that particular VIN number.
So is it possible to get a new VIN number for a vehicle? First of all, you have to understand that VIN numbers are only issued by the DMV. A person can’t make up a VIN number, a company can’t make up a VIN number; they’re issued by government agencies. The VIN number also corresponds with the vehicle: the type, the year, the series of car, and the history of that particular line.
Standardization of VIN NumbersSince 1980, VIN numbers are very standardized. They are 17 digits long and they correspond to different manufacturers. Prior to that, it was a little less formal of what the VIN numbers are for. So the reasons that a VIN number is issued has to do with the DMV and a national standardized process for what that VIN number goes with.
Issuance of New VIN NumbersSo if you have a kit car, if you have a vehicle that the VIN number’s been damaged, or a composite vehicle, you may be able to have a VIN number issued. That is only done by the government agency of that state, Department of Transportation, DMV, what-have-you. Depending on the state, you will need very specific documentation for why you need a new VIN number.
Inspection and DocumentationThey’re going to inspect the vehicle, they’re going to go through the documentation, and they’re going to make sure that all the component parts of that vehicle are acceptable, first of all individually and also as a group, to make sure it’s safe for the road and that they do correspond to the need for a new VIN number. You can’t just magically make up a VIN number for a vehicle just for a random reason.
Valid Reasons for a New VINThere has to be a very specific reason: either it was a composite vehicle, the VIN number of that original vehicle was damaged or was removed. And if that’s the case, you may need some other legal documentation. So if you need a new VIN number for the vehicle, make sure you have a good reason why prior to entering into that process with the DMV.
Getting a Duplicate Title for a Donated VehicleSo how do you get a lost car title for a vehicle that’s a donation to a charity? Usually, the charity recipient will require a title prior to them taking that donated vehicle.
Obtaining a Duplicate TitleIf it’s a car that’s in your name that you just lost a document, you can get a duplicate from the DMV and then simultaneously assign that duplicate to the charity.
Non-Existent Title and Charity’s IntentAlso, if the title is non-existent, you want to ask: Will the charity be selling the car? If they’re selling the car, they will need a title. If they’re just going to scrap the car, jump the car, they may not need the same depth of title evidence in order to accept the car.
Ensuring Transfer of OwnershipMake sure that if you’re donating a car, your ownership is extinguished. Make sure that the charity changes it into their name or their buyer’s name right away, or you file an affidavit with the DMV to have your ownership ended.
Potential Liability IssuesBecause if not, they could sell that car, and then the buyer can have parking tickets, the car could be towed, or could be involved in an accident, and as long as the title is still in your name, that liability can accrue to you.
Purchasing a Car from a CharityIf you purchased a car from a charity and didn’t get the title or lost it, you may have to go back through the last title owner to find where that duplicate title application can be submitted.
So what do you do when you have a car that has no title? This is Dave at cartitles.com.
Understanding Car TitlesOh, what do you do? Well, first of all, every car has a title. It’s just that you may not have that document, that piece of paper, in your hand. Even if you do have that piece of paper in your hand, is it your title? Does it have your name printed on the front? Not is it signed over on the back, but does it have your name printed on the front? Until you have a title that has your name printed by the DMV on the front of the title, the vehicle is not titled in your name.
Legal OwnershipMaybe it’s signed over to you but not legally titled in your name. So the first step is to get that paper title from the last person who owned the vehicle. A title has a name on it. It doesn’t matter if it’s yours or somebody else’s. You have to start with that piece of paper. If it’s not in your name, someone else legally owns that car, and you have to get it signed over to you.
Risks of Not Transferring the TitleThere’s a risk in not getting that car signed over to you immediately. If, for some reason, the person who is legally on title goes through bankruptcy, gets a divorce, gets the lawsuit, some creditors may claim that asset and try to collect it back, even if the car is in your possession. Getting that title in your name is very important.
ConclusionSo remember, every car has a title. It just may not be in your hands, in your name, as of yet.
Tell us about your vehicle and we'll direct you to a title recovery method that matches your scenario.
"*" indicates required fields