3 Steps To Replacing a Lost Car Title

How to replace a lost car title. The certificate of title is the legal document of your right to ownership of your car.

But if you lose your car title…

… or it gets torn or mutilated…

… stained with paint, varnish, ink, mud, coffee, or hot chocolate…

… gets burned, soaked in turpentine, used as a mechanic’s grease rag…

… you need to order a duplicate.

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for most states issues car titles. Some states might call their motor vehicle authority by a different name such as Registry of Motor Vehicles or Motor Vehicles Division.

Other states give that authority to the Department of Justice, Secretary of State, or another department.

Each state has its own rules for replacing a lost car title, but some of the basic steps are the same. This handy guide from the PrivateAuto staff will help you through the process.

Why Do I Need To Replace a Lost Car Title?

The certificate of title is your deed to ownership. If you want to sell your car or use it as collateral for a loan…

… gift it to your son, daughter, niece, or nephew…

… Donate it to a homeless shelter, food bank, education nonprofit, or veterans’ services organization...

… you need the title so you can show that you own the car.

So here are the basic steps to replacing your lost car title.

Step 1 - Identify Your State’s Motor Vehicle Authority

The state authority for issuing car titles usually goes by the name of the Department of Motor Vehicles, or DMV.

Other states call it by a different name. For example, Massachusetts calls theirs the Registry of Motor Vehicles. In Ohio, it’s called the Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

In other states, car title authority goes to another department.

In Kentucky, for example, you’d request a duplicate title through your county clerk’s office.

In Missouri, you’d go to an office of the Department of Revenue. In Illinois, the Secretary of State’s in charge of that.

Step 2 - Complete the Proper Form

Each state has its own form to replace a lost car title.

In Hawaii and Wyoming, each county has its own form.

Most states make their forms available for download in a PDF. They’re usually formatted so that you can fill it out on your computer or device before you print it.

Step 3 - Submit the Form and Pay the Fee

Some states allow you to complete your application to replace a lost car title online.

The District of Columbia and 9 states let you apply online.

Indiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts
Michigan
New York
South Carolina
Virginia
Wisconsin

In the other states, you will need to apply by mail or in person. In states that require you to have the application form notarized, you can’t apply online.

How To Replace a Lost Car Title By State

The following guide aims to give you an idea of what to expect when you apply for a lost title in your state. The fees and notary requirements may change without notice.

You should visit your own state’s DMV or other motor vehicle authority website to verify the requirements.

Source: F&I Tools

Alabama

Form: MVT 12 1
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: No

Alaska

Form: Form 809
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: Yes

Arizona

Form: 96 0236
Fee: $4.00
Notary Required: No

Arkansas

Form: 10 381
Fee: $10.00
Notary Required: No

California

Form: Reg 227
Fee: $22.00
Notary Required: Yes

Colorado

Form: DR 2539A
Fee: $8.20
Notary Required: No

Connecticut

Form: H 6B
Fee: $25.00
Notary Required: No

Delaware

Form: MV 213
Fee: $50.00
Notary Required: No

District of Columbia

Form: DMV CTA 001
Fee: $26.00
Notary Required: No

Florida

Form: HSMV 82101
Fee: $75.25
Notary Required: No

Georgia

Form: MV 1
Fee: $8.00
Notary Required: No

Hawaii

Form: County of Hawaii form
Fee: $5.00
Notary Required: Yes

Honolulu

Form: City and County of Honolulu form
Fee: $10.00
Notary Required: Yes

Maui

Form: County of Maui form
Fee: $10.00
Notary Required: Yes

Kauai

Form: County of Kauai form
Fee: $5.00
Notary Required: Yes

Idaho

Form: ITD 3367
Fee: $14.00
Notary Required: Yes

Illinois

Form: VSD 190
Fee: $95.00
Notary Required: No

Indiana

Form: 205
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: No

Iowa

Form: 411033
Fee: $25.00
Notary Required: No

Kansas

Form: TR 720B
Fee: $10.00
Notary Required: No

Kentucky

Form: TC 96 182
Fee: $6.00
Notary Required: Yes

Louisiana

Form: DPSMV1799
Fee: $76.50
Notary Required: Yes

Maine

Form: MVT 8
Fee: $46.00 Online, $33.00 Mail
Notary Required: No

Maryland

Form: VR 018
Fee: $20.00
Notary Required: No

Massachusetts

Form: T20558
Fee: $25.00
Notary Required: No

Michigan

Form: OSRS
Fee: $25.00
Notary Required: No

Minnesota

Form: PS 2067A 18
Fee: $17.25
Notary Required: No

Mississippi

Form: 78 006
Fee: $9.00
Notary Required: Yes

Missouri

Form: DOR 108
Fee: $14.50
Notary Required: Yes

Montana

Form: MV7
Fee: $10.30
Notary Required: No

Nebraska

Form: RV 707A
Fee: $14.00
Notary Required: Yes

Nevada

Form: VP012
Fee: $21.00, $36.00 if car is not in state
Notary Required: Yes

New Hampshire

Form: TDMV 18
Fee: $25.00
Notary Required: No

New Jersey

Form: OS SS 52
Fee: $60.00
Notary Required: No

New Mexico

Form: MVD 10901
Fee: $5.00
Notary Required: No

New York

Form: MV 902
Fee: $20.00
Notary Required: No

North Carolina

Form: MVR 5
Fee: $20.00
Notary Required: Yes

North Dakota

Form: SFN 2872
Fee: $5.00
Notary Required: No

Ohio

Form: BMV 3774
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: Yes

Oklahoma

Form: 701 7
Fee: $12.50
Notary Required: Yes

Oregon

Form: 735 515
Fee: $93.00
Notary Required: No

Pennsylvania

Form: MV 380
Fee: $55.00
Notary Required: Yes

Rhode Island

Form: TR 2 TR 9
Fee: $52.50
Notary Required: Yes

South Carolina

Form: Form 400 D
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: No

South Dakota

Form: MV 010
Fee: $10.00
Notary Required: Yes

Tennessee

Form: RV F 1321801
Fee: $11.00
Notary Required: No

Texas

Form: VTR 34
Fee: $2.00 mail, $5.45 in person
Notary Required: No

Utah

Form: TC 123
Fee: $6.00
Notary Required: No

Vermont

Form: VT 004
Fee: $35.00
Notary Required: No

Virginia

Form: VSA 67
Fee: $15.00 in person or mail, $14.00 online
Notary Required: No

Washington

Form: TD 420 040
Fee: $35.50
Notary Required: Yes

West Virginia

Form: DMV 4 TR
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: No

Wisconsin

Form: MV2119
Fee: $20.00
Notary Required: No

Wyoming

Form: By county
Fee: $15.00
Notary Required: Yes

Making Corrections on a Duplicate Title

If you’ve changed your name because of marriage or divorce, you’ll need to update your record when you replace a lost car title.

You’ll most likely need to show a marriage certificate or divorce decree. If you were awarded a car in a divorce settlement, be prepared to show the court order when you apply.

You might have to submit a form with a brief explanation for the name change.

If your name’s misspelled, you can show your driver’s license or state ID card to get it corrected. If the misspelling is because the DMV staff made an error, you won’t have to pay a fee in most cases.

Even though you don’t pay for spelling errors, you still owe the fee for a duplicate title.

How To Replace a Lost Car Title That’s Not In Your Name

What if you bought a used car from a private seller and then lost the title before you applied for the title transfer?

If you can, get the seller to request the duplicate. Be sure to offer to pay for the fee. It’s common courtesy, and it’ll make it easy for the seller to help you out.

You’ll have to fill out the assignment of title section again.

You can replace a lost car title with a court order under some circumstances.

You inherited the car, but you’re not able to locate the title.
You lost a car title when you bought it from a private seller, but you can’t contact them.

You will have to appear in court and have a judge award you ownership.

Conclusion

The certificate of title shows that you are the lawful owner of your car.

You’ll need the title if you want to sell, gift, or donate your car. You’ll also need it if you want to put up your car as collateral for a loan.

But if the title gets lost or damaged, you can apply for a duplicate.

Whether you’re selling or buying, PrivateAuto makes it easier than ever.

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State-specific documents you can complete and sign directly from the app.

Buy or sell a used car with PrivateAuto today.