So how can you correct an error on your vehicle title document? In order to present a car title to a government agency, the document is needed in its entirety. It can’t be missing pieces; it can’t be damaged or have holes in it.
Types of Damage to AvoidThere are also other types of damage, things like alterations to wording, erasers of written segments of the document. If there’s incorrect information placed on the document, that’s also considered damaged.
Common ErrorsFor example, if somebody signs it in the wrong place or the wrong person signs it, that’s the most common reason why a document is considered in error. Even illegible wording written onto a title document is an error considered by the DMV to be fatal, meaning that that document is no longer valid.
Entering Mileage CorrectlyIf you enter mileage on a box in the document, make sure that it’s written correctly. If there’s any changes to a cross out or a scribble, that will render that document invalid.
Making CorrectionsIf you do need to make changes, there may be an opportunity to have an affidavit of correction. That will only work if it’s a very minor error. Any other kind of erasers or scribbles or cross-outs will require a new duplicate document to be re-executed.
Dealing with BureaucracyThat may be a bureaucracy process that’s difficult. You may have to go back to the prior owner, have a new document issued, and then re-execute all of those signatures.
Final ChecksSo prior to filling out a car title document, make sure that all of the information is correct. And before you write something in a box, make sure it’s the right name, the right information, in the right place. For example, you don’t want to write the buyer’s information in the seller’s box because that will render that document invalid.
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So for a vehicle, how do you get a title when you have no title? This is Dave at cartitles.com.
Title Issuance ProcessEqual title issued for each new owner. It’s not one piece of paper that follows that vehicle, so every time an ownership change happens, the new owner gets a new title printed in their name.
Title Issuance RequirementsWithout the prior title, most DMVs will not issue a new title.
Common MethodsThere’s a couple of methods that are very commonly used. One is to go through the state of Vermont. They will issue you a title, which has the bill of sale. If you have a bill of sale from any seller, those have to be the title owner. They’ll issue you a new title in your name in some circumstances.
Out-of-State Title TransferNow if you don’t live in Vermont or the car’s not in Vermont, that’s ok. You can get that title and then bring it to your state and exchange it for one in your state.
Other Title MethodsThere’s also bonded titles and court order titles. All of this you can do yourself.
Assistance and Contact InformationIf you need some suggestions or assistance on how to go through these processes, you can reach us at our website at cartitles.com.
New Mexico has a form called MV D-10901. It requires a legal ID with the form. You can do it either in person or by mail.
In-Person or By MailIf you do it by mail, it will only be sent to the address they have on file for that title. You can’t change the address unless you send them a copy of your ID with your new address and a self-addressed stamped envelope with the new address.
Required DocumentationOnce you send that in with the appropriate documentation, they’ll send you a new replacement legal title document in your name to use for a transfer or getting a loan on the car, maybe getting insurance.
Ease of ProcessNew Mexico is one of the easiest states in terms of getting a duplicate title if you are in the state. If you’re out of state, it may require an affidavit document to go along with that form.
So what do you look for when you’re deciding to pay for a car title online? First thing is to recognize that a car title can only be issued by a DMV by a government agency. So if you’re paying somebody other than the DMV, find out who that is and why are they collecting your money.
DIY vs. Paid AssistanceMost cases if there’s a difficult title scenario you can do it yourself. You may not have the knowledge but a little bit of research. If you have more questions, you can reach us through our website at Consumers Title Work. You can ask questions, we can help you, but you can do this yourself. If you need assistance and you want to pay somebody, that’s fine, but don’t pay much more than 40 or 50 dollars for a company to help you with titling. It’s not that hard to do; it might be filling out some paperwork, maybe giving you some advice. But if you’re spending 2 or 3 or 4 or 500 or more, really you’re paying somebody for something you can do yourself in a half an hour, 45 minutes.
Regulatory Caps and Licensed CompaniesIn fact, some states have a cap on how much companies can charge because there’s online companies that are charging hundreds of dollars. In fact, Texas is passing a law that capped it at $10 because that’s how easy these processes are. Make sure that wherever you’re paying is a licensed company. It’s not just some fly-by-night firm. Remember they’re going to have your physical address, they’re going to have a copy of your driver’s license, they might have a power of attorney. You want to make sure it’s a legal licensed company.
Company Credibility and Payment TermsAlso, do they have a physical address? Can you walk into this company and meet them in person, or are they just online working from a house or somebody’s basement? You don’t want to deal with somebody like that. How about payment? Do you want to pay it all up front or maybe pay them when it’s done, or maybe half and half? You want to give somebody other than the government agency your money; you want to make sure you know what you’re getting. Who is the payment being made to? Is it a person? Is it a company? And do some research on that company.
Legal Compliance and PaperworkThen take a look at what are you signing. In some cases, companies that assist or charge for car titles use illegal methods. You want to look at the paperwork you’re signing to make sure it matches the scenario of the car. You don’t want to be signing a mechanic’s lien if you never brought the car in for service. You don’t want to be signing an affidavit saying something happened that didn’t because if that is the case, you may find your title revoked at a later date because of fraud.
Risks of Power of Attorney and ScamsAlso, if you’re signing a power of attorney, remember you’re giving that person or that company the right to do anything they want with that car. They could sell it; they can put it in their name, and that puts a lot of risk on you. Dozens of online title scam companies have already been shut down over the years, more in the works. This is an area where there’s a lot of fraud and a lot of kind of gray area operations, and you don’t want to be caught up in that. These illegal methods are costing people their vehicles and costing states a lot of tax money, so you don’t want to be unknowingly part of an illegal process.
Conclusion: Pay the DMV DirectlySo make sure that first of all, if you’re paying to get a title, pay the DMV directly. They can issue a title. If they’re telling you they need more paperwork or the process is incomplete, look up online to see how you can do that yourself before you pay a lot of money to another company to do it.
Lost TitleSo what is the difference between a lost title, a duplicate title, and a replacement title? Well, a lost title is simply when you lost the document copy lost that title.
Duplicate TitleA duplicate is when you get another copy of that last prior title with no changes, meaning that if it was in the name of John Smith and the new title is issued the same way, even if it’s handed to a different person.
Replacement TitleA replacement title is like a duplicate, but you can simultaneously change ownership if you want to put it in somebody else’s name. Again, different states have different rules and different terminology, but typically a replacement title is getting another one with the option of changing the name on it.
Ownership ProofEither way, if the title is not around, you need to get one of them to prove ownership of that vehicle.
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