When you buy a car out🍰right—without using a bank or dealer financing—the seller gives you a certificate of title. The title serves as proof of ownership and includes identifying information about the vehicle, such as its make, model, and vehi☂cle identification number (VIN).
A title is essential for registering or selling a vehicle. An unders𓆏tandi♔ng of the different title types is important when car shopping.
Key Takeaways
- A certificate of title is a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. It’s used to 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:transfer possession from one owner to another.
- The title is required to register or 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:sell your vehicle.
- 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:A branded or salvage title indicates that the vehicle sustained extensive damage and has been rebuilt.
- Many states allow the use of electronic titles rather than paper copies.
What Is a Car Title?
A 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:car title shows who owns the vehicle. Without it, you can’t prove you legally own the🔯 car. It’s issued by the state department of motor vehicles (DMV) or department of transportation at the time the vehicle is sold. If you took out a loan, the lender holds the title until the l📖oan is paid off.
Titles generally include the fo🍨llowing i꧂nformation, with some state-by-state variety:
- Owner’s name
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Odometer reading at the time of the sale
- Weight class
- Lienholder information if the sale is financed
- Title assignment section with buyer and seller’s names, addresses, date of sale, and signatures
Types of Car Titles
When shopping for a car, you may read that a car has a clean or clear title. That means the vehicle has no record of damage, major repair, or being recal𝓀led. It doesn’t mean the car was never in an accident; it just means it wasn’t a total loss, anꦰd there’s a clear record of previous owners.
If the car was involved in an accident and was declared a total loss, or if it experienced flood damage or has an inaccurate odometer, it may have a branded title. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Branded title cars can be much cheaper than ℱthose with clean titles, but you risk buying something that comes with problems.
To find out what type of 🅷title a 🙈car has, you can use or a paid service like .
Title vs. Registration
In addition to getting a title, you 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:need to register your car. Though a title shows you’re♕ the owner, a registration certificate shows that your car is legally permitted on public roads. Driving without a current registration 🤪is illegal, and you may be fined if caught.
How to Get a Title
When you buy 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:a new vehicle or transꦦfer a car to another state, apply for a certificate of title in your name. ꦆThis requires a visit to your local DMV office with the following documents:
- Proof of identity, such as a driver’s license or passport
- Proof of ownership, such as a 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:bill of sale
- Proof of insurance coverage that meets state-minimum requirements
- Application for title
- Applicable sales, tag, title, and registration fees
Title fees va🌜ry by state but range from $5 to $165. For example:
- Illinois: Individuals have to pay a $155 vehicle title fee.
- North Dakota: In North Dakota, the title fee is just $5.
- Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, the cost to get an original title issued is $67.
Storing Your Title
Guard your title carefully. Many states use paper titles, so store it where it’ll be safe from damage. Don’t keep it 🌌in the car with your proof of insurance and registration. File it w🧜ith important documents like birth certificates, Social Security cards, and passports.
Though paper titles are common, ⛄some states use electronic documents. If your state permits electronic titles, 💎you don’t have to worry about keeping the title safe because they store it for you. To find out if your state offers electronic titles, visit your state DMV or Dealertrack.
If you lose your title, don’t panic. 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:A duplicate title may be available from your DMV for a fee. In some cases, you can eᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚven request one online or through the mail.