How to Get a Replacement Title in Your State?

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The bottom line: Getting a replacement car title is usually a simple process you handle at your local DMV. You can do it online, by mail, or in person.

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

Processing times range from same day to several weeks. Some states offer expedited options if you need your title fast.

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

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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.

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. Some states offer instant or same day titles for an extra fee.

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	7 to 14 business days online or in person, 4 to 6 weeks by mail
Alaska	Form 809	$15.00	allow about 2 months for mail-in processing and mailing
Arizona	Form 96-0236	$4.00	up to six weeks by mail; faster online via AZ MVD Now
Arkansas	Form 10-381	$10.00	at least 3 weeks by mail
California	Form REG 227	$28	15 to 30 days
Colorado	Form DR 2539A	$8.20	2 to 6 weeks
Connecticut	Form H-6B	$25.00	within 20 business days by mail
Delaware	Form MV-213	$50	processing time varies depending on the nature of the request
Florida	Form HSMV 82101	$75.25	3 to 4 weeks
Georgia	Form MV-1	$8.00	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	2 to 3 weeks
Idaho	Form ITD 3367	$14.00	about 2 weeks
Illinois	Form VSD 190	$50	about 3 to 4 weeks once the application is received
Indiana	Form 205	$15.00	7 to 10 business days standard, up to 21 calendar days by mail
Iowa	Form 411033	$35.00	5 days from application submission
Kansas	Form TR-720B	$10	10 to 40 days
Kentucky	Form TC 96-182	$6.00 plus the cost of a notary	4 to 6 weeks by mail for standard processing, or the following business day with speed title service
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	typically 7 to 10 business days through the OMV in person or by mail
Maine	Form MVT-8	$33.00	5 to 8 business days by mail
Maryland	Form VR-018	$40.00
Massachusetts	Form TTL 117	$25	up to 10 business days
Michigan	Form TR-11L	$15.00	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	$9.00	3 to 4 weeks for standard processing
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; up to 6 weeks for mail-in applications
Montana	Form MV7	$10.30, dropping to $5 on July 1, 2026	up to four weeks
Nebraska	Form RV-707a	$14.00	set by the county treasurer's office where the application is submitted; contact that office for current turnaround
Nevada	Form VP 012	$20 when the vehicle stays in Nevada, plus an $8.25 title processing fee on a complete change of ownership	about 6 weeks by mail
New Hampshire	Form TDMV 18	$35.00	5 to 10 calendar days once the DMV receives and verifies your application
New Jersey	Form OS/SS-UTA	$60	same-day in person by appointment, or 8 to 12 weeks by mail
New Mexico	Form MVD-10901	$5.00	processed and mailed within one to two business days of the transaction
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	$5.00	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	$11.00	immediate in person, titles are mailed and cannot be picked up in person
Oregon	Form 735 515	Oregon does not charge a separate duplicate title fee. The title fee applies and starts at $101, varying by combined MPG rating up to $192 for all electric vehicles.	about 1 week for Oregon replacement titles
Pennsylvania	Form MV-38O	$72	processing time not specified by PennDOT; allow 10 days from the date a title was processed before requesting a duplicate
Rhode Island	Form TR-2 / TR-9	$53.50	processed at the Cranston DMV Research Office, the DMV does not publish a guaranteed turnaround time
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)	$6.00	about 10 to 14 business days
Vermont	Form VT-004 (Replacement Title Application)	$42.00	about 1 to 2 weeks by mail
Virginia	Form VSA 67	$14 online / $15 by mail	about 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)	$15.00	a few weeks by mail
Wisconsin	Form MV2119	$20.00	7 to 10 business days by mail
Wyoming	Application for Duplicate Title	$15.00	usually same day when applied for in person
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.

Read more: How to Sell a Car of a Deceased Person

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, Wheelzy, and CarBrain may accept vehicles with missing titles in certain states, though offers are usually lower.

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

How much does it cost to replace a car title?

It depends on your state. Texas is among the cheapest at $2 by mail, while some states charge $50 or more. Most fall somewhere in between. Use the state table above to see your exact fee.

Can I get a replacement car title online?

Many states now offer online applications, though some still require mail or an in-person visit. Check the state table above to see your state’s application form and how to submit it.

How long does it take to get a replacement title?

Most states process duplicate titles within a few weeks, and some offer faster service. A handful of states have same day or expedited options for an extra fee. Check the table above for your state’s processing time.

Can I sell a car without a title?

It’s possible but not ideal. Private buyers usually won’t buy a car without a title because they can’t register it. Some online car buyers will purchase vehicles without titles, but your offer will be lower.

Getting a replacement title first is almost always worth the small fee and short wait.

What’s the difference between a duplicate title and a replacement title?

They’re the same thing. “Duplicate title” and “replacement title” both mean a new copy of your original car title. Some states use one term, some use the other. Either way, the document has full legal standing and works exactly like the original.

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

The process is the same as replacing a clean title. Your replacement will still show the salvage brand. If you’re looking to sell a car with a salvage title, some buyers specialize in these vehicles and may offer more than you expect.

Learn more: How to Sell a Car with a Salvage Title

What documents do I need to get a replacement car title?

Most states require a valid photo ID (driver’s license or passport), proof of vehicle ownership (registration or insurance card), the vehicle’s VIN, and a completed duplicate title application. If there’s a lien, you’ll also need a lien release from your lender. Some states require notarization.

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

Yes. Most states require you to submit a release of liability or notice of transfer after selling your car. This protects you from parking tickets, toll violations, or accidents the new owner might cause. Check your state’s DMV website for the specific form and deadline.

What if my car has a lien and I lost the title?

Contact your lender first. In many states, the lienholder actually holds the title until the loan is paid off. They can request a duplicate on your behalf or provide a lien release so you can apply yourself.

If you’ve already paid off the loan, ask your lender for a lien release letter, then apply for the duplicate title yourself.

Can I use a bill of sale instead of a title?

In some cases for older or very low value vehicles, a notarized bill of sale might work. However, most states require a valid title to transfer ownership. A bill of sale alone usually isn’t enough for the buyer to register the car.

What if I need the replacement title fast?

Several states offer expedited or same day processing for an extra fee. Others may have rush options through their DMV. Check the table above and your state’s DMV website to see what’s available where you live.

Does every state require a title to sell a car?

Most states require a title for any car sale. A few states have exceptions for very old vehicles where a bill of sale may be enough. Some states also treat selling without a title as a violation, so always check your local rules before trying to sell without one.

What are the risks of not getting a replacement title before selling?

Without a title, the buyer can’t register the car, which makes your car worth less. You also stay on record as the owner, so you could be held responsible for tickets, accidents, or abandoned vehicle fines. Getting a replacement title first protects both you and the buyer.

How do I check my state’s specific replacement title rules?

Use the state table above to see your state’s application form, fee, and processing time. For the most current details, visit your state’s DMV website directly. You can find every state’s DMV website in our complete list of state DMV websites.

What if my car is old and falls under special title rules?

Some states have different rules for very old vehicles, where a bill of sale or registration may be enough instead of a title. The cutoff varies by state. Check your state’s DMV website to see whether your car qualifies.

What should I do after I get my replacement title?

Keep it in a safe place. If you’re planning to sell your car, you now have everything you need. You can sell privately for the most money, or get instant offers from online buyers for a faster, easier sale.

Article Update History

Fact-checked February 27, 2026

Duplicate title fees, form numbers, and notarization requirements were verified against each state's official DMV website. Processing times and online availability were confirmed for all 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Published March 26, 2025

Originally posted and shared with our readers.

Tomas Gutauskas