Way to get a title?

[Roadrunner73NC]

What is the easiest, cheapest way to go about getting a title for a car that hasn't been titled in about 20+ years?

 

[brandon64]

I believe it is different in every state. In Tennessee it costs $75 and takes about 6 weeks.

 

[oneway71]

In MI just a trip to SOS and 1/2 hour later paperwork is done.....Title arrives in a few days....

 

[Southernman]

What is the easiest, cheapest way to go about getting a title for a car that hasn't been titled in about 20+ years?

RR, I just went through this with NC's DMV. You will have to apply for a replacement title and, if you cannot locate the rightful owner to sign the vehicle over to you, you will have to secure a 2 year bond.

The bond is usually ~$100 for 2 years, depending on the value the DMV has assigned to your vehicle.

You will have to take it to a DMV "Theft Division" site so they can look the vehicle over and run the numbers to ensure it's not a stolen vehicle.

The bond is required to ensure that, during the 2 year bond period, should anyone try to lay claim to your vehicle, the bond will cover the cost to return the vehicle to it's "rightful" owner. Not saying that will happen to you, but it has happened to others, hence the bonding requirement.

If, however, you can locate the previous owner, get a duplicate/lost title for the vehicle (DMV typically deletes inactive titles after, I think 10 years), or simply file for the new title as outlined above.

NCDMV.gov has the requirements listed. It's really not a big deal.

Southernman

 

[detmatt1]

X2 on the Michigan method, I think it cost me $18 and had the title in a week.

 

[Roadrunner73NC]

Is there somebody I can call to find out whose name it was last registered to? Just trying to save a good car from somebody crushing it because of it not having a title

 

[1badgtx]

Do you know anyone with the highway patrol?I,ve always had luck by talking to them..
Petty Blue 67 gTx

 

[Crunchy_Frog]

That would depend on the state. I bought a '69 Super Bee in Alabama in 1985. There was no title. No titles on 1974 and earlier cars in Alabama. Brought it to Texas in 2005 and had to get a letter from Jefferson County (in Alabama) stating there are no titles on pre-75 cars, provide them with a bill of sale (or letter of gift), and do all the lost title paperwork. So it depends on the state you are in and what state the car came from. As for finding previous owners... again, depends on where the car came from.

 

[696pack]

Most people use a service like this:

http://www.its-titles.com/lost_title_for_car.html