It’s not unusual to misplace the title to your vehicle, especially if you’ve accumulated a bunch of paperwork over the years. Not having your title, however, can make it challenging to sell, trade, or get cash for cars you no longer want. Here’s a closer look at the process of recovering a title and alternative solutions to this dilemma.

What Is a Car Title?

A vehicle title serves as your proof of ownership. It should have your name on it as the owner, along with other pertinent details about your car, including history, make, model, and a unique 17-character vehicle identification number (VIN). If you purchased the automobile via financing, the title will be under the lender’s name and not yours.

Without a title, you cannot sell your vehicle or use it as collateral for loans, because there’s no substantial evidence that you own it. You will also likely run into legal trouble down the road since you’ll need a title for licensing and registration.

How to Get a New One

Fortunately, you can obtain a duplicate title through the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). Keep in mind that processing often varies according to state, so check with your local DMV first.

• Apply & Pay: In North Carolina, you have to complete the MRV-4 form found online or in the office. Every request comes with a $20 fee, which can be waived in duplicate requests for original titles never received and filed within 60 days.

• Submit: Along with the notarized application, submit a lien release for existing liens on the title. For applications submitted in person, you’re required to show identification.

• Wait for Results: There’s a mandatory 15-day waiting period before requests are processed, after which you can follow up on the status. 

What Are Your Alternatives?

If you’re planning to sell a vehicle or transfer its ownership, the title is an essential document to proceed with the transaction. Apart from DMV, you can also check with your bank or lender if they have a copy on file that you can use.

For older, junk cars, another option is to find a scrap yard that offers cash for vehicles—some reputable ones will gladly take the vehicle off your hands without the title as long as you a copy of your registration and a valid driver’s license.

Even if you’ve lost the title, you can still dispose of junk cars 10 years or older. Contact T&S Automotive, a trusted scrapyard in Davidson County, NC. These experts always offer customers a fair amount of cash for cars they no longer want. You can count on a fair price for your scrap metal, too. Call (336) 882-7989 or learn more about their cash for cars option online.