In this video we talk about getting a replacement car title for your vehicle. If you have a vehicle and you don’t have a title it may be difficult to sell the car, register, or even insure in some cases. We discuss the different scenarios of how you may have a vehicle without a title, and how to deal with each of those issues. We will also cover some of the things you will want to avoid, so that you can ensure you get your replacement title legally and without having to worry about any future problems.
If you have any question whether we can obtain a replacement car title for you, contact us at 256-44-TITLE (256-448-4853) for a free review of your specific case. We have experience with all the following situations, and more.
Abandoned Vehicles: If the vehicle is abandoned by the owner the title can be obtained for the new owner.
Impounded Vehicles: If your vehicle is impounded and you need the car title to release the vehicle, contact us as soon as possible since your vehicle may be accruing storage fees. If you are purchasing an impounded vehicle contact us to find out what specific paperwork you will need to get from the seller.
Unclaimed Vehicles: If a person left a vehicle with you or on your property for an extended period of time, you may want to get the car title to own the vehicle or to get the car off of your property. Contact us with the VIN# to determine the best vehicle title recovery process.
Deceased Owner: If you have a vehicle which was last titled in the name of a person who has died, you may have found it difficult to get a title. Contact us with the VIN# and the name of the person (if known) to get the title recovered.
Auction Cars: If you purchased a vehicle from auction, or from an auction broker you may not have received a title. We work on auction titles for Copart, Manheim, America, IAA, and many others. If you have the auction lane sheet that is helpful, but not required.
Lost Titles: When you call in, specify if the vehicle is currently titled in your name and you lost your car title document, or if the vehicle still needs to be transferred into your name.
Duplicate Title / Replacement Title: This is the easiest form of car title recovery. If you just need a copy of the existing title you may be able to do this yourself at no cost, or for a small amount such as $10.
Vehicle types: We can get you a title for any type of vehicle or equipment. We cover all cars and trucks from 1905 – 2018 model years, from all manufacturers in the US and import.
Motorcycles: Titles are obtained for road registered motorcycles, as well as off-road bikes, dirt bikes, dual sport and racing bikes.
Boats: Boats and watercraft titles are obtained using the hull identification number, which is equivalent to the VIN# on a vehicle.
Kit cars: Kit car titles are issued titles based on the newly issued VIN# of that specific constructed vehicle.
Trailers: Trailers and camper have a VIN# which can normally be located on the curb side frame rail of the tongue, just aft of the hitch mount. In some cases it is on the door frame of the camper entry.
Commercial equipment such as loaders, forklifts, tractors, and construction equipment titles are often needed for financing and sales to third parties. Titles for equipment is handled by our commercial division.
For $159 we will save you the headache and take care of the replacement car title paperwork for you. Simply choose the service you’d like us to perform for you. We’ll get some details from you after checkout and will get started for you right away!
ORDER AN ABANDONED VEHICLE PROCESSORDER A BONDED TITLE APPLICATIONORDER A LIEN RELEASE LETTERORDER A DECEASED OWNER TITLE TRANSFERhttps://cartitles.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/over-2000000-titles.pngORDER A PRIOR OWNER SEARCHORDER A VERMONT REGISTRATION APPLICATION
For a licensed repair facility or towing company which has legitimately taken possession voluntarily or legally, there is a process for the company to obtain a title for the purpose of disposing of the vehicle.
The process involves 4 steps: 1. Present a valid automotive business license along with a repair order signed by the vehicle owner, or legal towing affidavit. 2. Attempt to contact the prior owner and any lienholder by certified mail for a period of 30 – 90 days. 3. Advertise and publicize for 4 consecutive weeks in the legal newspaper a notice of public auction to be held on a certain date. The auction must be held during normal business hours and allow the general public to bid. 4. Conduct a legal auction and sell the vehicle to the highest bidder.
When all of these steps are followed, the licensed automotive facility can submit proof of these steps to the DMV for a title to be issued to the buyer.
This process is intended to allow a repair facility to dispose of a vehicle and offset their costs. It is not intended to process titles for non-documented owners or for the garage to take ownership themself (unless they are the highest bidder).
Attempts to use the mechanics lien process to get a title for a person who has no paperwork could be a criminal violation, and subject the vehicle owner to penalties and revocation of title.
The mechanics lien process is also not the correct title process for an abandoned vehicle, unless the vehicle is abandoned at a licensed automotive repair facility.
There are several different types of car titles. The type of title you receive will depend on the circumstances surrounding your vehicle. Here is an overview of the different types of car titles:
This is the first title document issued by the vehicle manufacturer to the franchised dealer where the vehicle was delivered to. This document is used to transfer the vehicle to the first owner, and obtain the title.
This is similar to a certificate of origin used by some vehicle manufacturers import or domestic.
When a title is issued to an owner with no lien specified the title is clear.
When a vehicle incurs some type of loss events such as major damage, theft, or repair, the title may be designated as a salvage title. The decision to place a title in salvage status is normally made by the insurance company that pays a claim on the vehicle. In some states, there are statutory regulations that require an insurer to brand a vehicle with a salvage title. An example may be that a vehicle incurred damage that is more than 60% of its value. However, an insurance company can decide to place a salvage title brand on any vehicle it decides to, even if there is little or no damage. A salvage title, junk title, rebuilt title, or certificate of destruction are almost always permanent brands on the title which cannot be removed. In rare cases, a very complex and expensive process of reconstructing the vehicle and inspection may upgrade a branded title status, but it typically involves more expense than the vehicle is worth.
Salvage titles can normally be registered for road use. In some states an inspection is required to make sure that the vehicle is safe for the road, and that any parts used for repair are legal and have a verified origin. For your own safety make sure that any vehicle you purchase as a salvage title has operational airbags and valid documentation of the VIN# and all major component parts.
Any attempt to remove, obscure, conceal, or alter a title brand using unauthorized means can be a violation of law often referred to as “title washing” or “title laundering.” The salvage title designation is shared with all 50 states. Evading a title brand is a serious offense. Getting a new title for that purpose is illegal and results in serious criminal penalties.
A title that has been sold to a junkyard may incur a junk title designation if the vehicle is intended to be scrapped or parted out. A salvage title, junk title, rebuilt title, or certificate of destruction are almost always permanent brands on the title which cannot be removed. In rare cases, a very complex and expensive process of reconstructing the vehicle and inspection may upgrade a branded title status, but it typically involves more expense than the vehicle is worth.
Obtaining a vehicle title when there is a serious deficiency in the ownership documentation can sometimes be done using a bonded title. In this process, a security bond is purchased equalling the amount of the value of the vehicle. This bond covers any future claims in the event that a valid claim to the vehicle comes forward in the future. The bond is used to pay to remove the claim of ownership or lien. The bonded title will have a “Bonded” stamp on it for a period of 3 to 5 years. In many cases, the bonded title is more expensive than other title recovery options but may be the last resort when other methods are not possible. Contact us to determine if a bonded title or other option is most beneficial.
A vehicle that has been substantially rebuilt may have a reconstructed title brand issued by an insurance company, body shop, collision center, or licensed rebuilder. A vehicle with a reconstructed title can normally be registered for road use but may have an inspection requirement to verify it is roadworthy.
A title may be issued under an affidavit in lieu of other missing documentation.
A vehicle that has been substantially rebuilt may have a rebuilt title brand issued by an insurance company, body shop, collision center, or licensed rebuilder. A vehicle with a rebuilt title can normally be registered for road use but may have an inspection requirement to verify it is roadworthy. The vehicle insurance may have limits if the title is rebuilt.
When an insurance company has paid a claim for a vehicle and taken ownership from the insured, they have the option of processing the title as a certificate of destruction. In this case, the vehicle is intended to be destroyed and never to be used on the road or registered. It is unlikely that a vehicle with a certificate of destruction can ever be issued a valid title for transfer.
A vehicle with a certificate of destruction can sometimes appear to be in acceptable condition. The insurance company decides to prevent the car from road use to limit its liability in the event that the car is driven and is involved in an accident at a later date. If it is proven that an injury in an accident is because the car had some existing defect, the injured person could claim that the insurance company should not have let the car go back on the road.
A vehicle in otherwise good condition can be issued a certificate of destruction if the insurance company thinks that the airbags could be damaged, the frame could be weakened, or simply does not want to spend the money to do a detailed inspection, and just wants to sell it cheap to a junkyard.
A parts-only designation is typically found on a bill of sale or transfer form, not on a title. However, if a parts-only bill of sale is submitted for vehicle title processing, the title may be issued with a salvage brand or other cloud on the title.
Many state DMV title systems are issuing electronic or paperless titles. If you need an actual title document those can often be obtained for transfer or loan processing.
A vehicle with a lien title or title loan may have a title issued directly to the lienholder. The purchaser will be listed as the owner, but the title will list the lender as the lienholder, and the lender will retain possession of the title.
A vehicle being exported will likely need title documentation for customs clearance. If the vehicle is not declared at the exit point, a clear title may not be possible in the destination country. Start the title process early so that port storage fees do not accumulate while waiting for the title.
A vehicle being imported to the US must have legal title to clear customs. If the vehicle was previously titled in the US this is a vehicle title recovery process only. If the vehicle was not originally manufactured for the US market, there are requirements for certifying that the vehicle is legal for use in the United States. The Department of Transportation (DOT), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), and other agencies will need to verify that the vehicle meets standards for emissions, safety, bumper height, and other guidelines prior to entering the country.
Want a CarTitles.com professional to do it for you?
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!
Select your title recovery method:
Order Vermont Title LoopholeOrder Deceased Owner Title TransferOrder Bonded Title ProcessOrder Abandoned Vehicle ProcessOrder Prior Owner ContactOrder Lien Release Request Letter
When a vehicle incurs some type of loss event such as major damage, theft, or repair, the title may be designated as a salvage title. The decision to place a title in salvage status is normally made by the insurance company who pays a claim on the vehicle. In some states there are statutory regulations which require an insurer to brand a vehicle with a salvage title. An example may be that a vehicle incurred damage more than 60% of its value. However, an insurance company can decide to place a salvage title brand on any vehicle it decides to, even if there is little or no damage. A salvage title, junk title, rebuilt title, or certificate of destruction are almost always permanent brands on the title which cannot be removed. In rare cases a very complex and expensive process of reconstructing the vehicle and inspection may upgrade a branded title status, but it typically involves more expense than the vehicle is worth.
Salvage titles can normally be registered for road use. In some states an inspection is required to make sure that the vehicle is safe for the road, and that any parts used for repair are legal and have a verified origin. For your own safety make sure that any vehicle you purchase which as a salvage title has operational airbags and valid documentation of the VIN# and all major component parts.
Any attempt to remove, obscure, conceal, or alter a title brand using unauthorized means can be a violation of law often referred to as “title washing” or “title laundering.” The salvage title designation is shared with all 50 states. Evading a title brand is a serious offense. Getting a new title for that purpose is illegal and results is serious criminal penalties.
If you have a salvage title, certificate of destruction, or other branded title, be sure to follow all applicable Federal Laws on title branding:
https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CHRG-109hhrg27254/pdf/CHRG-109hhrg27254.pdf
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