The Expert Podcast

We get over a thousand calls a day at our car titles answer desk. Unfortunately, we’re not able to answer all of them. A lot of these calls are free customer service inquiries from the DMV. However, we’re going to go through a few that might be of interest to help people understand the answers to common questions. These voicemails contain frequent concerns that can provide some insight into how the car title process works.

The first question comes from a caller in Florida who asks, "How long does it take to get a title and registration?" In this case, they’re asking about the Vermont loophole process and its timeframe. Typically, from the time the paperwork is submitted, it takes about 10 to 14 business days for the Vermont DMV to return your ownership documents. It’s important to submit the paperwork correctly because if there’s any error, instead of receiving your ownership documents in 10 days, you’ll get a rejection letter in 30 days. This will delay the process significantly, so ensuring the paperwork is correct from the start is crucial.

The next question involves an auction title: “I got a title from an auction, but it was lost before I could transfer it to my name. What should I do?” If a car was purchased from a normal auction like Manheim or Southern, rather than an insurance auction like Copart or IAA, the process is different. The auction itself cannot help you because they are not allowed to apply for a duplicate title. However, they can try to contact the original owner who sold the vehicle at the auction to get a duplicate title. If you have a copy of the title, you can identify the legal owner printed on the front of the title. Only this person can apply for a duplicate title. It’s best to mail the necessary duplicate title form to the owner along with a return envelope to make it easy for them to send it back.

For salvage titles, the process can be more complicated. When a vehicle is sold by an insurance company at an auction like Copart or IAA, it often passes through dealers or brokers before reaching you. Contacting the insurance company for a title might not yield results if they sold it to a dealer who then sold it to you. Detailed instructions for handling these situations are available on our website, and we handle similar cases for many major auctions.

Another question comes from a property manager in Connecticut: “I have a car in my yard, a 2012 Jeep Compass, whose owner is deceased. How can I get the title?” In cases like this, you can either file for a bonded title or a court order title. A bonded title involves obtaining a surety bond, signing an affidavit explaining the situation, and submitting it to the DMV. A court order title allows you to file a petition with your local court to prove ownership. Both methods ensure you can legally claim ownership of the vehicle without declaring it abandoned, which often requires surrendering the vehicle to the state.

A caller from Michigan, now living in Georgia, asks, “Can I get a replacement title in 24 hours?” Unfortunately, titles are legal government documents issued only by the state. They cannot be downloaded or printed instantly. While some states allow rush titles, this requires visiting a DMV branch that issues titles on the spot, bringing your ID and required documents. However, these specialized title certificates are often stored in a vault, and smaller branches may not have them. If you’ve moved to another state, the process typically takes 2–3 weeks.

A caller from Maryland shares a situation about a 2008 Chevy van bought from a dealership: “The owner passed away, and I’m having trouble renewing the registration because I never received the title.” If the dealer didn’t transfer ownership to you or the vehicle was financed, you’ll need to resolve this by obtaining a lien release or proof of payoff. For deceased owners, it’s essential to determine if the issue lies with the dealership or prior ownership.

Another inquiry involves boat titles: “How do I get a title for a boat?” Most states treat boats like motor vehicles, requiring titles and registrations. The main difference is the hull identification number (HIN) used instead of a VIN. Some boats may have Coast Guard documentation instead of titles, which follows a different process. For typical recreational boats, the titling process mirrors that of motor vehicles.

Finally, a caller from Georgia asks, “Does a bill of sale need to be notarized to get a title?” Most states do not require notarized bills of sale, but some states have specific requirements. It’s always best to check with your local DMV to confirm the rules for your area.