Getting a Lost Car Title when it is not in Your Name

Replacing a Lost Car Title
So how do you get a lost car title replaced if the car is not in your name?

Transferring Title and Issuing a New One
Well, in that case, there’s going to be two steps. One step is transferring it to your name, and the other step is getting a title. Sometimes this process can be done simultaneously.

Simultaneous Transfer and Title Issuance
Some states have a form that can simultaneously transfer the vehicle and issue a new title. One good example of that is in the state of Vermont. If the vehicle is 15 years old or older, you can use their form, I think it’s VT 95, to transfer the vehicle and also get a new title or registration title based on just having a bill of sale. If it’s newer than that, you may need to have the prior owner sign the power of attorney to do this transaction.

Obstacles of a Bonded Title
Be aware that other options, such as a bonded title, have some obstacles. A bonded title requires that a bonding company issues you a policy guaranteeing that if there’s any problems with the title, that they pay it off. When that’s the case, they’re gonna verify a lot of details, which if you had all that verification, you could probably get a title on your own through DMV anyways.

Sales Taxes and Transfer
In any case where you’re doing a transfer, there may be some sales taxes due if there’s not been sales tax paid on that vehicle as part of that transfer, and it is triggered by the transfer. You might have to pay that. But keep in mind all of these methods you can do yourself without having to pay a third party.

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