If you need to sell a car, but the title is lost, stolen or otherwise missing, you’re not without options. 

Get a Replacement Title

Sometimes, obtaining a certificate of title for your car is as easy as requesting a new title or title copy. You can do this directly from your state’s DMV website in most cases. You may need to fill out an application and pay a fee, but your state should mail your replacement copy in just a few weeks. 

If you need it faster, you can check with your local agencies to see if expediting your replacement is possible. See more about getting replacement titles below.

Complete a Transfer of Ownership

Some states allow you to transfer vehicle ownership without presenting a title. However, the person buying the vehicle still needs to request a copy of the title. Transferring ownership simply passes the burden of getting the title to the new owner.

Get a Bill of Sale

Some classic vehicles may have never had a title, and many states won’t issue titles for cars older than a certain age. For this reason, many states allow owners to sell their vehicles by drawing up a bill of sale.

If you create a bill of sale yourself, you’ll need to include information such as:

• Vehicle make, model and year
• VIN
• Date of sale
• Sale price
• Signatures of both parties 

Get a Bonded Title or Surety Bond

A bonded title is backed by a payment known as a surety bond, which serves as a type of insurance for the state and previous owners in the event that the ownership of a vehicle comes into question.

Bonded titles allow owners to register, acquire insurance for and sell a vehicle. Bond amounts vary based on location and the car’s value. Bonded titles may also limit financing options.

Junk Your Car

If you’re having difficulty selling your used car or just need to get rid of it, junking your car may be your best choice. Many scrapyards or for-parts buyers will accept a vehicle without a title. If you’re trying to get rid of a junk or abandoned vehicle, check out your local junkyard. However, if your car still runs and is in decent condition, you may lose money by junking it.