Did You Buy a Vehicle Without A Title?
If you receive incomplete or incorrect evidence of ownership or have lost the evidence of ownership and cannot contact the seller for the necessary documents or documentation, you may have the option of using the bonded title procedure to transfer ownership.
Contact us to let us help you with the process: 1-877-845-2368.
First, determine your eligibility.
In order to qualify, you must be:
- A Texas resident OR
- Military personnel stationed in Texas.
- The vehicle must be in your possession and cannot be considered junked, nonrepairable, or otherwise ineligible for a title. Although not required to be operational, it must be a complete vehicle including a frame, body and motor or if a motorcycle, a frame and motor
If you meet the above eligibility requirements you may take or mail the following documents and a $15.00 administrative fee (TxDMV accepts cash, checks, and money orders as payment) to the nearest TxDMV Regional Service Center.
Documents
- Bonded Title Application (Form VTR-130-SOF)
- Any supporting evidence of ownership (Bill of Sale, Invoice, Cancelled Check, etc.)
- Out of State Vehicles
- Acceptable photo ID
- If the applicant is a Texas resident, but the evidence indicates that the vehicle is an out of state vehicle, the vehicle identification number must be verified by a Texas certified Safety Inspection Station (Vehicle Inspection Report).
Additionally, if the vehicle has never been titled or registered in Texas then a vehicle identification number inspection is required from an auto theft investigator on the Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection (Form VTR-68-A). Inquire with local law enforcement agencies such as the police department or sheriff’s office to determine when and where your local law enforcement offers these inspections. These inspections are not offered by the TxDMV. Upon completion of the inspection, the inspecting officer will provide you with a Form VTR-68-A.
Download Form VTR-130-SOF
Upon Approval
If your documents are approved, you will be issued a Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing (Form VTR-130-ND) stating the amount of the bond you must purchase. The amount is equal to 1 ½ times the value of the vehicle. The department will determine the value of the vehicle using:
- The Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) as the primary source
- If an SPV is not available, the National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) reference guide will be used, or
- If a value is not available either through SPV or NADA, a licensed motor vehicle dealer or insurance adjuster may appraise the vehicle on form Motor Vehicle Appraisal for Tax Collector Hearing / Bonded Title (Form VTR-125) provided by TxDMV.
Note: For appraisals under $4,000 on vehicles 25 years old or older, the value will be set at $4,000.
Download Form VTR-125