Shortly after purchasing a car, you make a trip to the DMV to register it under your name. However, the DMV requires you to have the car’s title with the seller’s and your information. What do you do if you never got the title from seller? Or, if you lost the title before going to the DMV? Fortunately, most states allow vehicle owners without a title to get a bonded title.
Get quotes by selecting your state below.
How does a bonded title work?
A bonded title functions the same as a regular title. But, the title has a bonded branding on it. Similar to other vehicles with title brands, such as salvage and rebuilt titles.
The process to get a bonded title varies by state and not every state offers the option. If you receive confirmation from the state that your vehicle is eligible for a bonded title, you’ll need to buy a surety bond.
Getting your bond is quick and easy with our online quoting tool. See what our existing customers are saying about us on Google.
Get instant quotes for your bond by selecting your state below.
Please verify your vehicle’s eligibility and the bond amount requirement with your state before purchasing a bond. These bonds cannot be canceled or refunded. Our team cannot verify your vehicle’s eligibility or the bond amount the state requires. If your vehicle is not eligible for a bonded title or your state doesn’t offer the option to get a bonded title, we cannot advise you on other options to get a title.
| State | Allows Bonded Titles | Step-by-Step Guide | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Alaska | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Arizona | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Arkansas | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| California | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Colorado | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Connecticut | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Delaware | No | ||
| District of Columbia | No | ||
| Florida | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Georgia | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Hawaii | No | ||
| Idaho | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Illinois | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Indiana | No | Read Guide* | |
| Iowa | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Kansas | No | ||
| Kentucky | No | ||
| Louisiana | No | ||
| Maine | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Maryland | No | ||
| Massachusetts | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Michigan | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Minnesota | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Mississippi | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Missouri | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Montana | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Nebraska | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Nevada | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| New Hampshire | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| New Jersey | No | ||
| New Mexico | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| New York | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| North Carolina | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| North Dakato | No | ||
| Ohio | No | Read Guide* | |
| Oklahoma | No | ||
| Oregon | No | ||
| Pennsylvania | No | ||
| Rhode Island | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| South Carolina | No | ||
| South Dakota | No | ||
| Tennessee | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Texas | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Utah | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Vermont | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Virginia | No | ||
| Washington | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| West Virginia | No | ||
| Wisconsin | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
| Wyoming | Yes | Read Guide | Get Quotes |
*Indiana and Ohio allow for court-ordered titles. We cannot assist with getting your title.
What is a surety bond?
A surety bond is a three-party agreement between you, the surety company and the state you’re registering your vehicle. As the individual needing the bond, you are the principal. Whereas the state requiring you to get a surety bond is known as the obligee.
With this bond, you are guaranteeing you’re the rightful owner of the vehicle to the state. As the obligee on the bond, the state is not held financially responsible if the vehicle doesn’t actually belong to you.
If a claim is made against your bond, the surety company conducts a thorough investigation to determine the validity of the claim. The claimant may receive up to the full amount of the bond if the surety finds them to be the rightful owner of your vehicle.
Who is responsible for a claim?
Unlike when you buy an insurance policy, the surety bond is not coverage for yourself. The surety will payout on a claim they deem to be valid. However, you are responsible for making the surety financially whole after a claim.
Experiencing a claim against a bond doesn’t benefit any of the three parties associated with the surety bond. Hence, most states require you do everything you can to connect with the vehicle’s last known owner to ensure a claim doesn’t happen.
Where do I find out if my vehicle is eligible for a bonded title? [& how do I determine the bond amount?]
Your best course of action to determine if your vehicle is eligible for a bonded title is to contact your local DMV (or BMV). If your vehicle is eligible, they can advise you of what paperwork and other requirements you must complete to get your title.
There are many reasons your vehicle may not be eligible for a bonded title. Such as an active lien, vehicle’s age or missing VIN to name just a few.
The required bond amount varies by state. Typically, the bond amount must be set at the same value as the vehicle, one and a half times the vehicle’s value or double the vehicle’s value. You’ll need to make sure the bond amount is exactly what the state requires. Otherwise, if your bond amount is too high or too low, the state likely will not accept your bond.
Our team at Surety Solutions, A Gallagher Company cannot determine your vehicle’s eligibility or necessary bond amount for a bonded title. Only the state requiring the bond can provide this information.
Our Certificate of Lost Title Bonds are non-refundable. Please ensure your vehicle is eligible for a bonded title before purchasing your bond.
How much does the bond cost? [How often do I have to pay?]
What you pay for your Certificate of Lost Title Bond largely depends on the bond amount you need. Although, most of our surety partners offer quotes starting as low as a $100. Lost Title Bonds do not renew. So, you only pay for them once and they remain active for the entire term length.
Get instant quotes for your bond by selecting your state and bond amount.
When does the bond expire? [& what happens afterwards?]
The term length of your bond depends on the state you are registering your vehicle. Generally, the bond is set to expire within 3-5 years from the date your bond becomes effective.
Most states will remove the bonded branding from your title after your bond expires. However, we recommend verifying what happens after your bond expires with your local DMV.
What do I do after I buy my bond?
Purchasing the bond is one of the final steps to getting your bonded title. You first need to verify your vehicle is eligible for a bonded title and determine the bond amount requirement. Once you have your bond, submit it and any other associated paperwork to the appropriate state department, usually the DMV, to receive your bonded title.
I have more questions. [Bonded Title FAQ]
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Certificate of Lost Title Bond below.
Getting the Certificate of Lost Title Bond is a quick process. After you purchase your bond, our team signs, seals and ships the bond directly to you. The process of getting the title varies by state. Please contact your local DMV if you would like an estimate on the length of time it takes to receive your bonded title.
Generally, the bond amount will either be the same value as your vehicle, one and a half times the value of your vehicle or double the value of your vehicle. The state will most likely reject your bond if the bond amount is not enough or too much. Check with your local DMV to determine the required amount for your bond.
Our team is unable to advise you on the bond amount you require.
No, a vehicle is not eligible for a bonded title if it’s not rightfully yours. We recommend you contact your local DMV to determine what options you have.
Our team cannot verify your vehicle’s eligibility for a bonded title or assist with getting a title for an abandoned vehicle.
You’ll want to check with both states to determine which state you need a bonded title.
Most states require you to be a resident to qualify for a bonded title. Contact your local DMV to start.
Our team is unable verify your vehicle’s eligibility for a bonded title. Also, we cannot advise you in which state to get your bonded title.
A vehicle inspection is a requirement to get a bonded title in most states. This inspection is typically performed by a registered vehicle inspector or law enforcement officer. Please contact your local DMV to verify if an inspection is necessary and how to schedule one.
Our team is unable to advise you on if an inspection is necessary or how to schedule an inspection.
The DMV may provide you with some options on removing the lien from the vehicle. They may suggest you send a certified letter to the lienholder or contact the original owner of the vehicle.
Our team is unable to assist with removing a lien from your vehicle.
Yes, since your bonded title functions the same as a regular title. However, the bond remains in your name until it expires. Leaving you liable for any claims made against the bond. Please contact your local DMV if you have any questions.
If your bond is rejected by the state, verify all the changes that need to be made to the bond. All changes to a bond can be made with a single bond rider. Submit a rider request for a Certificate of Lost Title Bond purchased through Surety Solutions, A Gallagher Company here.
Our Certificate of Lost Title Bond rider fee is $35. This fee covers all changes made on a single rider. However, if you need to change the bond amount, this may result in an increase in premium for the bond. Our riders ship from via standard shipping (up to 7-10 business days) or you can choose expedited shipping (up to 2 business days) for an additional $20.
The best way to avoid needing a rider is to ensure you have all the correct information the state requires and you review your information on our application before you submit and purchase your bond. Your information on your application is populated on the bond form you submit to the state. If information is incorrect, such as your name or VIN, the state may reject your bond.
Please contact your local DMV to determine what options you have to register your vehicle. They may offer the option to get a court-ordered title.
Our team cannot advise you on how to get a title for your vehicle.
Our team can help with your surety bond questions. However, we are only able to assist with questions about the bond or our application. We are unable to advise you on your vehicle’s eligibility for a bonded title or the bond amount you require. If you have questions about the bonded title process, contacting your local DMV is often the best course of action.
Available Resources
Make sure you get your bond for the correct amount by checking with our calculator.
Learn more about bonded titles by watching our videos on YouTube.
Check out the answers to our frequently asked questions.
Still not sure if you need a bonded title for your vehicle? Check out our guide.
Find the specific steps needed to get a bonded title in your state.
Make sure you don’t any of these common mistakes when getting your bonded title.
Looking for another type of bond?
Click on your state to get started.
