The process of getting a car title in Texas differs depending on a variety of circumstances, including whether the title is lost, whether there is still money due to a lender, whether a purchase is made without the title, or whether the vehicle is inherited.
If the certificate of title in the owner’s name has been lost or damaged, a certified copy of the title can be ordered either by mail or by taking the required documentation to a Texas DMV service center. Documents that are required include a valid ID of the owner, an Application for a Certified Copy of Title (VTR-34) and fees in the form of a check, money order or cashier’s check made out to the Texas DMV. Debit and credit cards are not accepted by the DMV for payment of fees to replace vehicle titles.
When the purchase of a car is financed, the institution that provided the loan will be listed as a lien holder and will retain the title until all principle, interest and fees have been paid in full. In Texas, the lending institution can hold the title in either a paper or digital format. Once the loan has been satisfied with a lender that holds a paper title, it will be mailed out along with a Release of Lien Letter. These documents, along with an Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U), can then be taken to the county tax office to get a clean title. If the title was held in an electronic format, after full payment the lien holder will notify the Texas DMV to remove the lien. Once the information is verified, the DMV will mail the title to the owner of the vehicle.
When a car is purchased without a certificate of title, the buyer can purchase a surety bond and apply for a bonded title with the Texas DMV. This process starts with the submission to the DMV of a Statement of Facts, a Statement of Inspection, a bill of sale, applicable fees and a valid ID. Upon approval of the paperwork, the DMV will determine market price of the vehicle, which must be covered by a surety bond that is 1.5 times the assessed value. The DMV file can then be taken to a specialized surety bond firm or an insurance company to purchase the bond. The vehicle owner can take the original file, the certificate of the surety bond and the Application for Texas Certificate of Title (Form 130-U) to the county tax office to receive a bonded title. After three years, the bonded title can be converted to a standard certificate of title.
Getting the title to a vehicle that has been inherited will require the original testamentary letters of the decedent. This document will provide the name of executor, who has the legal authority to sign the title to release ownership. The executor and the person inheriting the vehicle must both complete the Assignment of Title section on the back of the certificate. The signing date as well as the mileage on the odometer should also be filled out. The signed title, the original testamentary letters and a completed Application for Texas Title form can then be taken to the county tax office to get a title in the heir’s name.
