How to Quickly Get a Replacement Car Title
Maybe it’s something you never think about, but your car title isn’t just some formality–it’s the proof that you legally own your vehicle and whether there are any existing claims (otherwise known as liens) on it. Do you even know where to find yours right at this moment, or would you need to think about it or even search around for it?
Replacing a car title can often prove a hassle if you either can’t find it or it has been damaged in some way. The good news? Many states across the U.S. offer fast-track options to expedite the whole process of getting a duplicate title quicker than ever, especially if you’re looking to sell your car, want to apply for a title loan, or just register your vehicle in another state.
Let’s look into the faster ways to get a title for your car and try to take the confusion out of the process.
Why a Replacement Car Title Might Be Needed
If your original car title is lost, stolen, or damaged, you’re going to need a replacement (in some states, referred to as a duplicate title) in order to do the following:
- Easily Sell Your Car, Especially in a Private Sale
- You Need Emergency Cash And Want To Apply For a Title Loan (No Title = No Loan = No Emergency Cash)
- Prove Your Legal Ownership If There Are Registration Problems Or Other Issues
Car dealerships can usually get around title issues on your behalf, but individual owners and private sellers don’t have that flexibility, so knowing how to obtain a duplicate title is important. Whether you plan to sell your car in the near future or apply for a title loan, you should have a copy of your car’s title on hand in order to prevent any potential issues. If your current title is mutilated and needs to be repaired, you will need to get a new copy before you can use it to verify the ownership of your vehicle.
Can You Get a Vehicle Title the Same Day?
Depending on your state of residence, you may be able to get a replacement vehicle title the same day if you can manage to apply in person at the Secretary of State’s office (or applicable government agency) and meet certain requirements, which can differ by state. Florida, Ohio, and Texas offer same-day services at the applicable government agency offices, but there are extra fees to speed up the processing times.
The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) goes by a few different names, including the Bureau of Motor Vehicles or Division of Motor Vehicles. While the name changes, it is a government agency responsible for handling transportation-related requests in your state, such as issuing duplicate titles for vehicles.
To have a better shot at getting a title the same day, consider the following about getting a car title replacement:
- The early bird catches the worm–get to a full-service office when it opens. Make an appointment if you have to in order to ensure your time slot.
- Provide a valid, government-issued ID (your driver’s license) and the other applicable documents, like a vehicle registration card.
- Have your car’s VIN handy in case you need it. Try to look up the required paperwork in advance on the website for your state’s transportation agency to be fully prepared for your request.
- Complete the title replacement application beforehand (fill it out online and print it) to save a ton of time.
One thing to keep in mind is that same-day service typically depends on in-person processing, and if you’re going the online or snail mail route, it may take longer.
What Steps Do You Need to Follow to Receive a New Title
You’ll have to go to your state’s respective Department of Motor Vehicles website to find out what exactly you’ll need to get a duplicate if you have no title. You can also call your local office, although going to the website will most likely be faster. Then, find what documents they require in order to get a new title. You will most likely need your driver’s license or another valid, government-issued photo ID card, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), a bill of sale or the vehicle registration card, and the odometer reading of the vehicle in question, although the exact requirements can vary by state.
Once you have all the information and documents required to get a duplicate title, the next step is to head over to the applicable office or complete whatever steps you need to on their website. Make sure you bring everything with you and fill out everything carefully. If you enter something incorrectly, it can make the process take even longer, or you may have to start over completely. Measure twice and cut once when dealing with any paperwork for the government.
The DMV has gotten much faster in recent years, but some states say that you may have to wait up to three months before you receive your replacement title. Some states do offer an expedited service, though the exact cost and timeframe will often vary from state to state.
How Much Is It for a Lost Title?
Replacing a vehicle title really can vary by state. For example, a duplicate title costs just $20 in California, and in Texas, there’s only a $2 application fee if mailed in. Be sure to check your state’s transportation agency website for up-to-date fees and the most accurate information.
For expedited service (when available), you’re looking at adding $10 up to $50 in some cases, depending on how fast you need the duplicate title issued to you.
Can You Sell a Car Without a Title?
Generally, there’s no legal way to sell a car without a title, since there’s no proof indicating you are the registered owner of the vehicle and can rightfully sell it. It’s also considered illegal not to have your name on it and then sell it, given that there’s no evidence you ever had possession of it. This law is set up to try to prevent car thieves or other shady scammers from selling stolen vehicles to unsuspecting buyers. Basically, the car title being in the proper condition protects all parties involved and makes a sale legitimate in states nationwide.
What if You’ve Lost the Title?
If you have lost your car’s title, you’ll need to apply for a duplicate document as soon as possible. Remember, you can just check out the website for the applicable government agency in your state for more instructions. If you want to sell your car, you’ll definitely need to have the duplicate title on hand to make the process as smooth as possible.
Again, getting a replacement/duplicate title comes with a fee, but it’s typically affordable, and once you have it, you can sell your car to whomever you’d like.
NOTE: If you happen to locate the missing title and you now have a duplicate, the original is no longer valid, so it may be best to throw it away or destroy it.
Transfers and Title Loans
Transferring or “gifting” your car will also require the original title or a duplicate in most U.S. states. In the case of getting title loans when you need funds for an unexpected expense, you’ll still need the title in your name, without any liens. If you have no title to your car, your options are limited in selling it or trying to get a loan using it as collateral, so it’s crucial to get your title squared away.
What is an Expedited Title, and is it Available in All States?
The standard title processing time is around 4 to 6 weeks, give or take, but an expedited title may allow you to get it in your hands much sooner, depending on your state of residence. Expedited title services usually come with:
- Next or even same-day processing
- They are available in person only in most states
- Additional fees are required ($20 – $50 plus standard fees)
Expedited services can slash your wait for a duplicate title to 1 – 2 weeks in some instances, but the downside is that not all states offer this service, or it may be limited to specific DMV offices. Check your state DMV online first before visiting your local office.
Listing Co-Owners on a Title
If more than one person owns a vehicle, like a spouse or partner, how you list the owners makes a big difference in who must sign to sell the vehicle. Writing the word “and” between the two owners means both must sign the title for the sale to transfer ownership properly. If you write “or” between the two owners instead, in most states, either party can sign to sell the vehicle.
Putting “or” between the owners makes it easier for either party to legally sell the vehicle. But that means that either can sell without the knowledge or consent of the other party, so putting “and” makes it more secure, meaning both have to agree and sign for any sale. But that also might become something of a hassle if both parties can’t get there at the same time or have busy schedules.
Both parties signing the title in case of sale becomes far more difficult if your state requires a notary to witness any bill of sale. Something to consider when deciding how you want to list the owners on the title. Either way of listing has both pros and cons. You just need to decide what has more value to you, convenience or security, in how you list the owners.
So Why Are Car Titles Called “Pink Slips” Anyway?
You’ve probably heard the term “pink slip” when referring to a car title. This actually dates back to California, where they printed official car titles on pink paper until 1988, so that it would be distinguishable from other papers and not be thrown away. But why would that matter? Well, California is both a trendsetter with some of the highest rates of car ownership, making “pink slip” a phrase that just kind of stuck.
Characters “race for pinks” in the movie Grease, with drag racing culture hugely popular in the 1950s, in both movies and songs, showing the same concept of illegal racing to decide the ownership of a car–the winner takes the title. This is why “pink slips” as a name for car titles became mainstream.
Don’t Let a Lost Title Delay Access to Emergency Cash
A car title that’s MIA may not seem like a big deal at first, but it can derail trying to sell your car, transferring it, or applying for title loans when you need fast cash the most. All you have to do is check your home state’s DMV website, gather the required documents, and choose expedited, fast-track services if available to get a duplicate title quickly.
Once you have your title, just fill out this online inquiry form to get started on the title loan process with Max Cash for emergency funding today!
