What to Do If You Find an Error on Your Vehicle Title

The certificate of vehicle title is a legal document that proves ownership of a vehicle. You can’t just assume ownership by buying a title or even printing yourself a new one — it’s been legally issued by the state’s governing title agency, and can be considered invalid if it has any marks, changes, or otherwise has been tampered with. So what happens if there is an error on your vehicle title?

What is a vehicle title?

A vehicle title or certificate of title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. Vehicle titles are only printed by the DMV or another authorized state agency. The vehicle title is given to the buyer typically at the time of purchase when ownership is signed over by the seller or dealership.

Verify the error and alert the DMV

If you notice an error on your vehicle title, it’s important to address it with your state DMV as soon as possible. An error on a vehicle title can be a misspelling of names, an inaccurate odometer statement, an incorrect sale date, or other miscellaneous errors. An error is not considered to be title document damage, mutilation, or loss of the vehicle title. Do not attempt to make any changes yourself or it may invalidate your title and put your legal ownership status at risk.

Most states actually have a process to fix errors on vehicle titles. In Indiana, it’s called an Affidavit for Certificate of Title Correction. To fix errors on your vehicle title in Indiana, simply complete the Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) form 55582 and submit the completed form to the BMV office. This process is for titles completed in error only and will not work for title transfers.

How to apply for a duplicate title

If your vehicle title is lost, damaged, or stolen, it’s not considered to be a vehicle title error. In this case, if you were the last titled owner, you may be eligible to simply apply for a duplicate title in your state. Be advised that a duplicate title can only be produced from the state DMV where the vehicle was last titled. Additionally, only the registered titleholder in the state DMV records is able to apply and receive a duplicate title. Most states charge a duplicate title fee ranging from $2-$25 per application.

When buying a car, make sure to check the title and the ID of the seller before buying and transferring the title. Once you have received your title, keep it in a safe space. If you know there are issues on your title, get them fixed as quickly as possible to avoid delays further down the line.