Did you recently purchase a vehicle, but never received the title? Or did you receive the title, but lost it before transferring it into your name? If you are in the state of Vermont, you can solve your lost title problem by getting a Vermont Bonded Title.
Short on time? Check out our Bonded Title FAQ page.
What is a Vermont Bonded Title?
A Vermont Bonded Title (also known as a Certificate of Title Surety, Lost Title Bond, or Defective Title Bond) is a document that proves you own your vehicle.
A Vermont Bonded Title allows you to buy insurance for your car, register your car, and sell your vehicle. Without a bonded title (or the original title to the vehicle) you cannot insure, register, or sell your car legally.
A bonded title is just like a regular title but it is marked “bonded”, meaning that it has a surety bond attached to it.
When you get a bonded title, you are promising that you are the true owner of the vehicle. If someone comes forward later on and says that they are the owner of the vehicle and that you should not have been granted a bonded title, they can make a claim on your bond. If the claim is determined to be valid, the surety company would pay the person a fair amount. It would then be your responsibility to repay the surety.
Curious about what would happen if someone made a claim on your bond? Check out this resource.
When You Need a Vermont Bonded Title
- You bought a vehicle and didn’t receive a title
- You bought a vehicle and only received a bill of sale
- You bought a vehicle and received an improperly assigned title
- You bought a vehicle, received, and lost the title*
Not sure if you need a VT Bonded Title? Check out this awesome infographic.
*You do not need a VT Bonded Title if you had the title at one point and your vehicle was registered in your name. In this instance, you can simply get a duplicate/replacement title. You can apply for a duplicate title with your local DMV.
You also do not need a VT Bonded Title if your vehicle is older than 15 years old.
How to get a Vermont Bonded Title
Step #1: Contact DMV to make sure you are eligible
Your local DMV is the only entity that can tell you if you are eligible for a bonded title or not.
Contact your local DMV, explain your situation, and ask if you could get a bonded title.
If they say yes, move on to Step #2.
Step #2: Create Statement
Create a statement of why there is not currently a title for the vehicle, how you came into possesion of your vehicle, and any background of the vehicle you may have.
Your local DMV can help you find any background information on your vehicle by running a vehicle record search on your car.
Step #3: Determine Value of Vehicle
Find the NADA value for your vehicle. You will need to determine the value of your vehicle to purchase a Vermont Lost Title Bond.
Step #4: Complete Application
Complete the Vermont Title and Tax Application which will include having your VIN inspected at your local DMV.
Step #5: Purchase a Vermont Lost Title Bond
Purchase a bond from a surety bond company. Make sure you apply for the correct bond amount.
Get a free instant quote here!
The amount of your Vermont Lost Title Bond amount must for for 1.5 times the value of your vehicle (that you determined in Step #3).
For example, if your vehicle is apprasied at $3,000 then your bond must be for $4,500.
This is just your bond amount. The price you pay for your bond is normally around $100.
Get free Vermont Lost Title Bond quotes!
Before you purchase your title bond – learn important payment info
Step #6: Submit Paperwork
Once you purchase your VT Lost Title Bond, you are almost done. Mail your VT Lost Title Bond, application, any documents you may have on the vehicle (bill of sale, old registration), and any fees the DMV requests to the address below:
Department of Motor Vehicles
120 State Street
Montpelier, VT 05603
If your paperwork is approved, you will be issued a Vermont Bonded Title. Your Bonded Title will function just like a regular title. The only difference is it will be marked ‘bonded’.
Do Vermont Bonded Titles Expire?
Yes, VT Bonded Titles are valid for 3 years from the date they are first issued. If after 3 years, no one comes forward and makes a claim against your Vermont Lost Title Bond, you will be issued a standard certificate of title.
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