| 1. |
I
lost my title. How do I get a duplicate? |
| 2. |
I
just bought/sold a car. How do I transfer the title? |
| 3. |
I
applied for a title and neither my lien holder nor I have received
it yet. |
| 4. |
Why
does the state show a lien on my car if I paid it off? |
| 5. |
I
sold my vehicle several months ago, but the registration and
title have not been changed to reflect the new owner's name
and address. I'm getting notices about parking tickets involving
that vehicle -- and the registration renewal notice has also
come to me. What can I do? |
| 6. |
How
do I sell a vehicle that is registered and titled in my ex/late
spouse's name? |
| 7. |
My
title was issued incorrectly. What should I do? |
| 8. |
How
do I register and title a rebuilt/salvage vehicle? |
| 9. |
Why
can it be difficult to change a vehicle title to my name?
|
| Q: |
I lost my title. How do I get a duplicate? |
| A: |
Complete the Application for Certified Copy of Title
(Form 34) which is available at VTR Regional Offices and county
tax offices. Make sure it has been signed by the registered
owner(s) or lien holder (if a lien is indicated in the department's
files). Mail the form and the $2 fee (no cash) to the address
shown on the bottom of the form. For same-day service, an owner,
lien holder, or verified agent of either may apply at a VTR
Regional Office, and pay a $5.45 fee. These applicants must
provide valid personal identification that includes a photograph
issued by this state or the United States. If the person is
acting as an agent, he or she must provide proof, verifiable
by telephone, that they are authorized to pick up the copy of
the title. Otherwise, the application must be held for four
days before the copy is issued and mailed. |
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| Q: |
Answer # 2: I just bought/sold a car. How do I transfer
the title? |
| A: |
The seller should indicate the purchaser's name and address,
and the odometer reading and certification in the title assignment
and then sign both the title and the title application (Form
130-U). These should be given to the purchaser, along with the
registration receipt. The purchaser should then go to the county
tax assessor-collector office within 20 working days of purchase
and file the title application (proof of insurance required).
The fee is $13 plus motor vehicle sales tax (6.25%). There will
also be a $2.50 registration transfer fee, or possibly a registration
fee, if the license is not current. If you buy a vehicle from
a licensed Texas dealer, the dealer is required to file your
title application with the county tax assessor-collector’s office
within 20 days of the date you bought the vehicle. |
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| Q: |
Answer # 3: I applied for a title and neither my lien
holder nor I have received it yet. |
| A: |
Contact
the county tax office and ask them to check the record. Statewide
installation of the Registration and Title System (RTS) has
been completed, and customers should receive their titles within
two weeks of the date the department receives the application.
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| Q: |
Answer # 4: Why does the state show a lien on my car
if I paid it off? |
| A: |
This
occurs if you have not advised the state that your lien has
been satisfied. To remove the lien information, go to the county
tax office, fill out a Title Application (Form 130-U),
and submit it along with the title and the release of lien.
The fee for this service is $13. The state will mail you a title
that does not show a lien. |
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|
| Q: |
Answer # 5: I
sold my vehicle several months ago, but the registration and
title have not been changed to reflect the new owner's name
and address. I'm getting notices about parking tickets involving
that vehicle -- and the registration renewal notice has also
come to me. What can I do?
|
| A: |
It
is probable the new owner has not transferred title to their
name. Contact the county tax office or VTR Regional Office and
fill out the Motor Vehicle Transfer Notification (Form
VTR-346). Or write a letter to: Texas Department of Transportation,
Vehicle Titles and Registration Division, Attention: Customer
Information Services Branch, Austin, TX 78779-0001. The letter
must provide the vehicle description (year, make, VIN), date
of sale, and purchaser’s name and address. Upon receipt of the
fee and the form or letter, we will place a notation on the
motor vehicle record indicating that the vehicle has been sold.
The fee for this service is $5. Checks or money orders should
be made payable to the Texas Department of Transportation. |
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| Q: |
Answer # 6: How do I sell a vehicle that is registered
and titled in my ex/late spouse's name? |
| A: |
1)
If the divorce decree awards the vehicle to you, contact the
county tax assessor-collector’s office with a certified
copy of the decree and apply for title. If the decree does not
award the vehicle to you, a properly assigned title will be
required.
2) In the case of a deceased spouse, the ownership will be determined
as to whether there is a will, trust, etc. Contact the county
tax office or a VTR Regional Office for help. |
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| Q: |
Answer # 7: My title was issued incorrectly. What should
I do? |
| A: |
Contact
any of the VTR Regional Offices or the Customer Help Desk at
(512) 465-7611. You can also contact your local county tax office. |
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| Q: |
Answer # 8: How do I register and title a rebuilt/salvage
vehicle? |
A:
|
For
information about rebuilt and salvage vehicles, contact the
VTR Regional Office, or the Customer Help Desk, at 512/465-7611.
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| Q: |
Answer # 9: Why can it be difficult to change a vehicle title to my name? |
| A: |
The
title law protects ownership rights for more than 15 million
vehicles in Texas. Therefore, the statutes require transfer
of ownership by proper execution of certain ownership documents.
When these specific documents are incomplete or unavailable,
Texas statutes provide for the applicant to apply for a tax
collector’s hearing or bonded title in most situations. |
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