Lost title Now What?

Gary WA

Gary WA

Well-known member
Club member Buying a Cabriolet from the state of CA.Shipping to WA but no title? Whats the process for those who have done this? Thanks. Been in storage for 50yrs.
 

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Last time I dealt with this, all I had to do was provide proof of purchase in the form of a Bill of Sale signed by the seller and then DMV will run a computer check to make sure it isn't stolen. Then, you can get your title. It takes a little time and effort, but not really a big issue.

The best place to start is to call DMV and get the specifics from the source though.
 
I think in a number of states, during the Model A era, they didn't even issue titles so many would be lacking one anyway.

28Acoupe has the answer
 
Gary: Contact YOUR Dept Motor Vehicle and find out what you need to register an un titled out of state vehicle. FWIW
Each state has it's own peculiarities.

Post some pics please if it's been in storage that long.
Good luck.
Paul in CT
 
Not a Fun thing did this a year ago .get an attorney that does titles save time and money. I had to file with papers to State Of Ohio with county court house Have state inspector come look at truck Take engine # run them to see if stolen wait . take truck to State Patrol Inspection center pay fees. and court filing fees .attorneys Important becauce if not filed right theres a fee for every filing then wait and wait make sure they know they there vin# is the engine and chass. #or they will give you a new # and try to give you a builders title all in all I have about a $1000 in this and lost 6 months but I have a titled 1930 not a 2012 1930 with new vin# it has the engine an chass. # good luck
 
28ACoupe said:
Last time I dealt with this, all I had to do was provide proof of purchase in the form of a Bill of Sale signed by the seller and then DMV will run a computer check to make sure it isn't stolen. Then, you can get your title. It takes a little time and effort, but not really a big issue.

The best place to start is to call DMV and get the specifics from the source though.
Click to expand...

Different states have different procedures. It works like 28ACoupe said here in Michigan so check with your DMV. Sounds like quite a few states are going to this procedure.
 
Gary, Is the owner of record when the title was lost still living? I had an almost identical situations but the person on the title was still living so a lost title was applied for in OR. I then transferred it into WA State. On the other one the person was deceased. If that's the case the executor of the estate needs to apply for a lost title on behalf of the Estate. Have them transfer it into the name of the executor and sign the Oregon Title when reissued. If a lost title is reissued in the name of the deceased WA will not accept the OR title signed off my the executor. You will have to provide documentation to the Licensing agency that the person signing on behalf of the deceased is actually the executor with authority to sign the title.

Barb Birt
 
The link Mike V posted is great. The info about a bonded title is on page 28 of the Washington link, saves me a bunch of typing. I'm sure Ca. has a "lost title" procedure, so you may want to try having the seller do that if you don't want to wait the 3 years for a "good" title.
 
First thing is to get a signed bill of sale, with model, year, engine number., and cost, since many states will require that you pay sales tax. Have it notarized if you can, since some states won't accept it without that.
Most places will require that a state police officer check the VIN (the engine number with an A) against the bill of sale and the application for a title. Also, some states will require that the car actually be running and roadworthy before they will issue a title. Again, a state police officer will have to inspect it.

In any case, just hope you get a kind and understanding person at the DMV, and not some jerk bureaucrat who just want to cause pain.
 
Cow Hampshire was pretty easy in this regard.

I had a 1930 truck chassis (rolling) bought in Connecticut.

I had only a bill of sale - not notarized.

From Town Clerk I receive "Application for Title."

I return said to NHDMV with copy of BOS and "Application Fee" (NH is Fee based EVERYTHING of course.)

They send back "Confirmation of VID" paper to me.

I make appointment with local constabulary to come and verify numbers.

Nice woman officer comes takes Confirmation, verifies numbers, fills out paper and then SHE mails back confirmation to NHDMV. (I had to provide a stamped and addressed envelope - think "Fee based.")

6 weeks later I have title in hand.

Didn't cost so much either. I think then was $15.

It was funny signing over a brand new title to the Texas buyer of the chassis. It was like starting all over again with all these blank lines on the backside of the title - "ownership progression" in the making?

Joe K
 
Gary, the first response, 28Acoupe, is right on the money. Just go into any licensing office with a signed bill of sale(with serial number) and explain that the seller had lost the title. No problem. I've been down that road with WA. It may also help if the seller can provide a registration.
 
There is absolutely nothing you can do to get a title. This car will be nothing but a nightmare for you. Out of the goodness of my heart I will remove this burden from your life and dispose of it properly. :-)
 
Hi Gary,

Humble opinion:

Not all, but many people in DMV & even all other government regulatory agencies have supervisors with mean spirited attitudes & always reply "NO".

However, be aware that in some states, either a local Justice of the Peace or a local Court as stated above can override these sometimes Nazi Dictator Decisions made by DMV Authorities, whereby they now have a Court Order to issue a Model A title regardless of their interpretation of their written or assumed rules & regulations.

Our American system does work in many cases -- just takes courageous Americans to go the extra mile to try to make it work !!!!
 
Gary is this a 29 Cabby from the Bay Area that is painted entirely blue, fenders, bumpers, horn etc.?? I know someone who is picking up one tomorrow & it doesn't have a title & it's been in storage for many yrs. He has called me about it a couple of times. Seems like an awful coincidence. Perry
 
OK, mystery solved, it is the same car. The only thing is Gary isn't buying it but asking the title question for a mutual friend of ours, Dick. Dick left over the week-end to go down & trailer it back to Wa. state. It's not being shipped. After reading the orig. post, I'm thinking a possible scam here but all is OK.
 
Uncle Bob said:
The link Mike V posted is great. The info about a bonded title is on page 28 of the Washington link, saves me a bunch of typing. I'm sure Ca. has a "lost title" procedure, so you may want to try having the seller do that if you don't want to wait the 3 years for a "good" title.
Click to expand...

You do not have to hold the car for 3 years in fact you can sell it the day you have paper in hand, the bond will stay with that title for whatever the state feels is sufficient to hold them harmless. Here is a response I got from MN as my car does have a Pioneer Plate and a title but it was lost when the guy died.
Thank you for contacting Driver and Vehicle Services

A “Defective Title Bond” may be provided by an applicant when s/he cannot supply the required documents or information to transfer a vehicle, and the vehicle is six model years or older.
This does not include manufactured homes, mobile homes. This cannot be used for no proof of ownership transactions.
Policies and Procedures:

When an applicant has exhausted all avenues to obtain the required documents or signatures to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle, the applicant must follow procedure outlined below:
  • The vehicle age must be determined to see if it qualifies for the process. (the vehicle must be six model years or older. )
  • The applicant must go to a motor vehicle office and provide the complete vehicle description, including vehicle identification number (VIN).
  • The main office will provide the applicant with the form, “Affidavit of Due Diligence”, the Bond Form and Instructions. The Affidavit of Due Diligence must be completed by the applicant and notarized.
  • When the bond form is completed, along with the required notarizations and attachments from the surety bond company, the applicant will return to motor vehicle office to complete application for title.
  • The applicant must provide photographs of the vehicle sufficient to determine its fair market value.
  • The motor vehicle office will collect all appropriate sales tax, title and registration fees.
This transaction MUST be done at a motor vehicle office. The forms cannot be mailed directly to the main office in St Paul.
No new registration will be issued until this transaction is completed.
Sincerely
Casey #24
 
This is another one of those situations that will vary all over the board . . . depending . . .

Of the 3 Model A's I've owned, they all 3 were way different from one another. The first 2 were in Arizona back in the Mid to Late '50's and were quite a challenge for a teen-age kid, even with the help of Dad.

The latest one was in Alaska (California title) 3 years ago. That one was a snap, took all of about 10 minutes and $200.

Every state and every situation is different. You won't know until you try it.
 
Chris, actually has the correct answer-just dump the car and give it to him!

Seriously, everyone on here has good intentions-listen to those from your state- those will be apropos.
All of the other recommendations and experiences from people in other states won't mean much-everyone has an opinion, but only a few are valid for your circumstances.
EVERY state has DIFFERENT titling laws. None are identical. good luck!
 
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