What Is A Car Title?

A car title, also known as a vehicle title or certificate of title, is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. A car title isn’t a document that can be printed or purchased on demand; there’s more to the ownership criteria than simply having the keys to the vehicle and saying it’s yours. If you haven’t received the title from the prior owner or the dealership, you do not have legal ownership in your name for the vehicle.

To obtain a car title from the DMV, you’ll need to provide more than just your bill of sale. Your bill of sale, also known as the proof of purchase or sales receipt, is the document that records the transaction of the vehicle between buyer and seller. By itself the bill of sale cannot simply get you a title, you’ll also need to provide the DMV with the previous title signed over by the prior owner. Providing the DMV with the title signed by the prior owner in their database will provide them with the security they need to transfer ownership of the vehicle. What happens if the prior owner cannot be located or the title is missing?

If you cannot locate the prior owner of your vehicle, or the title is damaged, lost, or stolen, there are other methods to apply for a car title:

Vermont Title Loophole

The Vermont title loophole is an out-of-state title method using a bill of sale for vehicles 15 years or older. This process involves receiving a title from the state of Vermont and transferring it to your state of residence. The applicant does not have to be a resident of Vermont and the vehicle does not have to reside in the state.

Bonded Title

A bonded title is a method of title recovery that requires the purchase of a surety bond to back up your claim of ownership and protect the DMV in the event of a dispute of ownership.

Court-Ordered Title

A court-ordered title is a method of title recovery that requires the applicant to complete an affidavit and open a court case that will result in the judge ordering a title to be issued in the applicant’s name.

These methods of title recovery are very common and can be used in the event that ownership documents are not sufficient enough to get a title directly from the DMV. Why does the DMV make it so hard to get a title?

The car title process is intentionally difficult in order to protect the interests of vehicle owners. The difficulty of the process will inhibit the majority of scammers from attempting to fraudulently apply for a title. If it was easy to get a title, someone could easily take ownership of your vehicle. For example, if you parked in a long-term parking lot while on vacation and it was easy to get a title, the parking attendant could decide they like your car and take ownership while you’re gone. The DMV makes it difficult for someone else to seize ownership of your vehicle. Titling your vehicle in your name provides protection for you and your assets. If it’s your vehicle, you deserve the title in your name.

CarTitles.com takes the hassle out of applying for a title for your vehicle. Our team of title experts can help prepare your paperwork for any title method provided.

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