Q&A for How to Buy a Car Without a Title

Your local DMV office should be able to provide you with the paperwork. Your state's DMV website might also have this information.

No. Title only holds value on the shell of the vehicle. Wherever the shell goes, the title should go, too.

Yes, but it is not recommended. If you already have, then in order to secure proper ownership, you will need to get the vehicle info record from the state of origin. Try to contact the previous owner legally notifying them of your intent. If they don't respond, move forward with a civil or bonded title process, depending on your state. If they do respond, have them provide a copy of the title for transfer. If this seems overwhelming, consider using a vehicle title service; their work is to make processes like this easier.

The owner of the car needs to go to the DMV and purchase a replacement title. Do not purchase the car until the owner has the title.

Your only hope then is to run the VIN through DMV to find the last owner(s) and hope the name is the same as on the bill of sale. Then get a new title.

It depends on what the state's vehicle record says. If it has been branded as non-repairable, for parts, or export only, you will never be allowed to purchase registration in order to put it back on the road. I would suggest requesting a vehicle information record from the state of origin first.

This is best answered by your local motor vehicle registration office, as property laws change from state to state or country to country.

If the car is paid off, fill out a new title form to transfer ownership. You can get this from the DMV or any dealer.

You have to have the dealer fill out a letter of correction. Once you have that you can go to the DMV and they will accept the changes.

Civil or bond processing is the only other option. In a civil option, you would file a small claims suit with the proper court. A court date will be provided and the other party will be summoned. That person's failure to appear will cause a judgment in your favor, and you may then have to perform a title bond process. If the other person does appear, be ready to plead your case to the judge or jury. If they judge in your favor, the judge will instruct the previous owner to provide a copy of title or face contempt of court.

Most states require the dealership to process transfer transactions within a certain amount of days, in Texas, it's 20. However, you stated you made a large down payment and I'm sorry to say that the down payment has nothing to do with TT&L unless it was negotiated that your TT&L was to cover those costs. You also have to consider that if it was not part of your down payment, you are responsible as the buyer for those fees and any penalties that arise due to non-payment. I would strongly suggest you get together with the dealer to get this taken care of.

You will need to get the vehicle info record from the state of origin. Make an attempt to contact the previous owner, legally notifying them of your intent. Should they not respond, move forward with a civil or bonded title process, depending on your state. If they do respond, have them provide a copy of the title for transfer.

All you can do is sue the person in court, otherwise you are simply out the money (and the car).

No, you must have a title signed by the owner on record in order to transfer ownership. State title agencies require a title to be relinquished to them with a transfer application signed by both buyer and seller. If you do not have a title, you may need to perform a civil or bonded title process, depending on your state, in order to obtain proper ownership. However, if the previous owner is reachable and the person on the vehicle's record, you can have them submit a request for a duplicate and then transfer that title to your name. If this all seems overwhelming, consider using a vehicle title service, their job is to make processes like these easier.

First, you will need both signatures on a copy of title application to get a title. Then, both will have to sign the title and transfer application to remove the name. If this can't be done, you may have to do a civil or bond process to rectify the record.

Get with the previous owner to see what the delay is about, and if necessary, see about obtaining another temporary tag so as to keep you from being stopped and ticketed. If you paid the person the cost of tax, title, and license fees already, there should be no reason why it hasn't been transferred, unless there is an issue with the title that has not been disclosed.

As the seller, you are responsible for having a title to transfer at the time of sale. If you don't have a title, you will need to make the buyer aware and have them understand that there will be added cost in obtaining a title for the vehicle.

Go back to the previous owner or through civil or bond processing. If the previous owner is no longer reachable, civil or bond processing is your last resort.

Whoever was appointed to take charge of her estate after she passed can go to the DMV with that paperwork, which should include a power of attorney, and request a duplicate title, and then sign it over to you.

First, I would recommend pulling vehicle info from the state it was last registered in to ensure it has not been reported lost, stolen, or out for repo. Once that is clear, you can use the bill of sale as part of a civil or bond process to obtain the title in Ohio.

They would have to get a copy of title first to make the process less costly to you. However, obtaining a title is not impossible.

Obtaining title in Indiana is possible by way of civil or bonding processes, and having a copy of the registration is something they will require as part of the process. You may also need to have the vehicle inspected by local law enforcement as part of the process as well.

Depending on your state, it will take a civil or bonding process to transfer ownership into your name. Talk to the DMV in your state to find out what you'll need to do.

You'll need to get a Vehicle History Report by providing the vehicle's VIN to the DMV of the state it was last registered. This report provides a name of last registered owner and any lienholders that may appear on the digital record for this vehicle.

If you do not intend to put the vehicle on the road, no. If you plan to use the vehicle on the road and need sticker and plates, then yes. If you'd like to use the vehicle while you are processing this paperwork, as it is going to take some time, you may consider purchasing a temporary permit.

You will be required to settle the loan first, then have them issue a release of lien (ROL) in letter form or on the face of the title itself. With the release on the title you can then transfer. If you get an ROL, you'll need to request a copy of the title if it is in your name. If not in your name, a transfer will consist of civil or bonding action, depending on your state.

The impound lot needs to fill out the proper paperwork to obtain a lien title. Then you can use that paperwork to register it and obtain a title in your name.

When you purchase the vehicle (I assume you're talking about a police auction), they will give you the paperwork necessary for you to obtain a tile from you local DMV.

No, they will not. You will have to get a duplicate title and sign it over to them.

File a police report. If the title was already in your name, go to the DMV and request a duplicate. If the title was not yet in your name, then you will have to go to the seller and ask him to request the duplicate and then have him sign it over to you.