How to Get a Replacement Car Title? (All 50 States)

Cartoon man holding a replacement vehicle title form and a map of the United States

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The bottom line: Getting a replacement car title is usually a simple process you handle with your DMV, online, by mail or in person.

You fill out an application, show proof of identity and that you own the car, and pay a fee. Fees vary by state, and the table has your state’s exact cost.

Processing times range from same day to several weeks. Fourteen states offer a rush option on top of the standard wait: Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee and Washington.

If you’re planning to sell your car, get the duplicate title first. Without it, buyers can’t register the car, and you could face legal problems down the line.

If you’re ready to sell, compare offers from multiple services with Sell Car Advisor to find the best deal.

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Automated assistant: general info, not legal advice

Answers come from our state paperwork data and published guides. Confirm anything binding with your state DMV.

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What Is a Car Title and Why Do You Need It?

A car title is a legal document that proves who owns a vehicle. Every state issues them, and you need one to sell, trade in, or transfer your car to someone else.

The title includes your name, the vehicle identification number (VIN), and any liens on the car. If you lose it, get it stolen, or damage it, you’ll need a replacement before you can do anything official with your vehicle.

A replacement title (also called a duplicate title) works exactly like the original. It has full legal standing and lets you complete any sale or transfer.

What Is a Duplicate Title?

A duplicate title is the copy your state issues to stand in for an original that was lost, stolen, or damaged. It carries the same title number, VIN and owner name, and most states print the word “DUPLICATE” on the face of it.

Issuing one cancels the original. If the old title turns up in a drawer six months later, nobody can use it to transfer the car, which is exactly the point of the process.

It isn’t a brand, and it says nothing about the car’s condition or history. A duplicate shouldn’t cost you anything on price.

Some private buyers hesitate anyway, since the word stamped across the top looks like a warning. Explaining that the original was simply mislaid usually settles it, and the buyer registers the car exactly as they would with any other title.

How to Get a Replacement Car Title: Step by Step

The process is similar across all 50 states, even though the exact forms and fees vary. Here’s what to expect.

Step 1: Find your state’s application form

Visit your state’s DMV website or office. Most states have a specific “Application for Duplicate Title” form. The table below lists the exact form for your state.

Step 2: Gather your documents

You’ll need a valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport), proof of vehicle ownership (like your registration), and the vehicle’s VIN. If there’s a lien on the car, you may also need a lien release from your lender.

Step 3: Complete the application

Fill out the form with your personal details, vehicle information, and current odometer reading. Some states require notarization, so check before you submit.

Step 4: Pay the fee

Fees vary widely from one state to the next. The table below shows your state’s exact fee so you know what to expect before you apply.

Step 5: Submit and wait

You can submit online, by mail, or in person depending on your state. Processing takes anywhere from same day to several weeks, and the table below gives your state’s figure.

What Documents Do You Need for a Replacement Title?

Every state is slightly different, but most require the same basic documents. Have these ready before you start.

You’ll need a valid government issued photo ID, proof of vehicle ownership (registration card, insurance card, or previous title copy), the vehicle’s VIN number, a completed duplicate title application form, and payment for the fee.

If there’s a lien on the car, you’ll also need a lien release letter from your lender. Some states require notarization of the application. Others need all co-owners to sign.

Replacement Title Instructions By State

Find your state in the table below for the application form, fee, and processing time for a replacement title. For full selling steps, see our state-by-state guides linked throughout the site.

State	Application Form	Replacement Fee	Processing Time
Alabama	Form MVT 12-1	$15	10 to 15 business days to issue, plus 3 to 5 business days in the mail
Alaska	Form 809	$15	approximately 2 months for a mailed-in application
Arizona	Form 96-0236	$4	up to six weeks for a mailed application
Arkansas	Form 10-381	$10	a minimum of three weeks
California	Form REG 227	$28	15 to 30 days
Colorado	Form DR 2539A	$8.20	2 to 6 weeks
Connecticut	Form H-6B	$25	within 20 business days when requested online; up to 90 days by mail
Delaware	Form MV-213	$50	the DMV gives no set processing time, and a request made within 15 days of the last title being issued goes for further review first
Florida	Form HSMV 82101	$75.25, plus $2.50 service and handling when a paper title is printed	3 to 4 weeks
Georgia	Form MV-1	$8	7 to 10 business days
Hawaii	Form CS-L (MVR) 10 in Honolulu County; other counties use their own forms	$5 to $10 depending on county
Idaho	Form ITD 3367	$14 state title fee plus your county's title admin fee, which runs from $0 to $15
Illinois	Form VSD 190	$50	3 to 4 weeks once the application is received
Indiana	Form 205	$15	up to 21 calendar days to process and mail
Iowa	Form 411033	$35	a 5-day wait after the county office receives the application, waived when the original title is surrendered with it
Kansas	Form TR-720B	$10	10 to 40 days
Kentucky	Form TC 96-182	$6 plus the cost of a notary	4 to 6 weeks; speed title service is not available for duplicates
Louisiana	Form DPSMV 1799 (Vehicle Application)	$68.50 plus an $8 handling fee, plus a Public Tag Agent surcharge up to $18 if processed by a tag agent	not published by the OMV; its policy is to contact the local office if the title has not arrived thirty days after the application, and a replacement is issued free between thirty and sixty days.
Maine	Form MVT-8, Request to Re-issue a Certificate of Title	$33	the BMV publishes no processing time; by statute a duplicate need not be issued until 15 days after the previous title was issued
Maryland	Form VR-018	$40	by mail once approved, with delivery times that vary; same-day service may be available at a full service branch
Massachusetts	Form TTL 117	$25	7 to 10 business days online, 20 to 22 business days by mail
Michigan	Form TR-11L	$15	up to 14 days by mail
Minnesota	Form PS2067A (Application for Duplicate Title, Registration, Cab or Lien Card)	$21.50 by mail or $22.50 at a deputy registrar office	usually same-day at a deputy registrar office in person, or by mail from the DVS Central Office
Mississippi	Form 78-006	$9	about six weeks for a standard title
Missouri	Form 108	$8.50 title fee plus a $9 processing fee	3 to 5 business days when submitted in person at a license office; 4 to 6 weeks for mail-in applications
Montana	Form MV7	$10.30	up to four weeks
Nebraska	Form RV-707a	$14	varies by county; ask the county treasurer's office where you apply
Nevada	Form VP 012	$20 when the vehicle is remaining in Nevada, or $35 if it is not physically located or registered in Nevada	approximately 2 to 3 weeks
New Hampshire	Form TDMV 18	$35	5 to 10 calendar days once the DMV receives and verifies your application
New Jersey	Form OS/SS-UTA	$60	in person by appointment, or 8 to 12 weeks by mail
New Mexico	Form MVD-10901	$5	mailed from the MVD central office rather than printed at the counter
New York	Form MV-902	$20	the title prints within 72 hours of an accepted application and is mailed to you, never handed over at a DMV office
North Carolina	Form MVR-4	$25.50	15 day mandatory waiting period from date received
North Dakota	Form SFN 2872	$5	not stated by the department
Ohio	Form BMV 3774 (Application for Certificate of Title to a Motor Vehicle)	$18 statewide ($23 in some counties)	usually printed on the spot for in-person applications
Oklahoma	Form 701-7	$11, plus a $1.66 mail fee when you apply by mail	no published processing time; Service Oklahoma asks you to contact it if nothing has arrived after 21 days
Oregon	Form 735 515	$101 to $116 by combined MPG rating and $192 for an all-electric vehicle; there is no separate duplicate charge	2 weeks
Pennsylvania	Form MV-38O	$72	not published by PennDOT
Rhode Island	Form TR-2 / TR-9	$53.50	no published turnaround time; duplicates are processed at the Cranston DMV Research Office
South Carolina	Form 400	$15	7 to 10 business days for South Carolina replacement titles by mail
South Dakota	Form 1002 (Duplicate Title Application)	$10, plus a $2 technology fee	not published by the department
Tennessee	Form RV-F1315201	$14 (plus county fees)	varies by county; typically 7 to 10 business days, with 3 business days in Shelby County and 4 to 6 weeks by mail
Texas	Form VTR-34	$2 by mail / $5.45 in person	at least 15 days
Utah	Form TC-123 (Application for Utah Duplicate Title)	$6	10 to 14 business days
Vermont	Form VT-004 (Replacement Title Application)	$42	not published
Virginia	Form VSA 67	$14 online / $15 by mail	5 business days by mail
Washington	Form 420 040	$39.50	4 to 6 weeks in person, or 6 to 8 weeks by mail
West Virginia	Form DMV-4-TR (Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft)	$15
Wisconsin	Form MV2119	$20	7 to 10 business days after an online application; longer by mail
Wyoming	Application for Duplicate Title	$15	issued by the county clerk once the completed application and the fee are received
District of Columbia	application for a duplicate title	$26	2 to 4 weeks

Special Situations: Getting a Replacement Title When It’s Complicated

The standard process works for most people. But some situations need extra steps. Here are the most common ones and how to handle them.

There’s a lien on the car

If you still owe money on your car, you’ll need a lien release from your lender before the DMV will issue a duplicate title. Contact your bank or finance company and ask them to send a lien release letter. Some states have electronic lien programs that make this faster.

If your lender went out of business, check with your state’s DMV for alternative documentation they’ll accept. You may need to file a bond or provide proof the lien was satisfied.

The owner is deceased

If you inherited a car, you’ll typically need a death certificate, proof of your relationship (like a will or probate court order), and the standard title application. Some states allow transfer on death designations, which simplify this process. Check your state’s requirements, as probate rules vary widely.

You moved to a different state

If you lost your title after moving, you can usually apply for a duplicate from your previous state (where the car was last titled). Some states let you apply by mail. Others require you to title the vehicle in your new state first, which may need a VIN inspection.

You need a bonded title

If you can’t prove ownership through normal channels (for example, you bought a car without getting the title), some states offer bonded titles. You purchase a surety bond (usually 1.5 times the vehicle’s value), and the state issues a bonded title. After a waiting period (usually 3 to 5 years), the bond is released and you get a clean title.

Selling a Car Without a Title?

Selling a car without a title is possible in some cases, but it limits your options and usually means you’ll get less money. Most private buyers won’t touch a car without a title because they can’t register it.

Some online car buyers and junkyards will buy cars without titles, especially older or damaged vehicles. Companies like Peddle and Wheelzy may accept vehicles with missing titles in certain states, though offers are usually lower. CarBrain needs a title, though in California and Washington it accepts the DMV’s own lost-title forms instead, as long as no lien is left on the car.

Your best move is almost always to get the duplicate title first. It costs very little in most states, takes a few days to a few weeks, and opens up all your selling options at full value.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does every state require a title to sell a car?

Almost. These states exempt older vehicles and take a bill of sale instead: Alabama, Connecticut, Georgia, Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont.

The cut-off is a model year and it differs in each of them, so check your own state’s wording before you rely on it. Everywhere else, no title means no sale until you replace it.

What if I have a salvage title and need a replacement?

The process is the same as replacing a clean title, and the replacement still carries the salvage brand. Replacing it does not clean a car’s history.

Buyers who specialise in branded titles are the ones to ask, and our guide to selling a car with a salvage title covers who they are.

Do I need to notify the DMV after selling my car?

In most states, yes, and it is a separate filing from the title itself.

It is what stops parking tickets, tolls and the next owner’s accidents following you. The form and the deadline are set by your state, and missing the deadline is the usual way sellers get caught out.

What should I do after I get my replacement title?

Keep it somewhere you will find it, and check the details on it against your registration before you need it.

A duplicate cancels the original, so if the old one turns up later it is waste paper. Only the new one can transfer the car.

Article Update History

Fact-checked February 27, 2026

Every state's and D.C.'s duplicate title fee, form and notary rule checked against its official DMV website.

Published March 26, 2025

Originally posted and shared with our readers.

Tomas Gutauskas