The Expert Podcast

…So who is allowed to apply for a duplicate title for a motor vehicle or a lost title Well, In all 50 states the only party who is legally entitled…to make application for a lost title duplicate title replacement title whatever you want to call it is the current title owner And here's what we mean by that. Here's an example of an application for the state of Utah. For a duplicate title, most states have a very similar form. The purse. who signs and applies for this form must be. The actual person currently listed in the official title records. So, if you had a title that was signed over to you on the back and you lost it, well your name's not going to be in the system as the title owner. If you bought a vehicle from somebody else and you lost a title. Your name's not going to be in the system So unless your name is already. Filed with the da. of motor vehicles or titling division. You cannot apply for duplicate title only the legal title owner. Who had a title at one time printed. By the government issue to their name. You can't apply for a duplicate Now there's…more bad news than that. If there are two people on the title…And they're listed as, and…Joe Schmo and Sally Smith both people. Have to sign that form. If there's a lien hold. on the title look what it says down here Section four, lien hold information and lien release. So if you have a vehicle that has a lien holder in the title records, They also have to sign it Now It doesn't matter if the loans paid off…If you paid off the loan for your car a long time ago. But the lien holder never took their name off the title record. You can't get a duplicate title…The lien holder has to sign. To let the DMV know that it's paid off Look you know it's. off you paid all the money You paid the payoff you paid all your payments. The bank lien holder even knows it's paid off However, if the DMV does not know that, then. It's not going to be removed from the title. So the short answer is if you are listed as the official legal owner in the title records. You can apply for duplicate title If you are not showing in the title record. Then you are not allowed to file for a duplicate. You may be able to file for another type of title. But not a duplicate So check out the website for the other options, but duplicate title is a privilege. Request made by illegal owner. Whose name is already filed with the government as being on file for ownership of that vehicle or lienholder.