Buying a Car Without a Title: What You Should Know

• The owner's name and address;
• Vehicle's VIN;
• Current liens;
• Car details (make, model, year, and current mileage). 

• The title was lost or stolen.
• The car came from a state with different titling laws.
• The vehicle is very old and was never titled.
• The car was stolen, abandoned, or salvaged.

1. Contact your DMV. 
Visit your state Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent motor vehicle agency website or office. Ask which procedure applies when you do not have acceptable proof of ownership. Some jurisdictions have specific processes like bonded titles or court-ordered titles.

2. Gather required documentation.
You'll typically need:

• A bill of sale from the seller.
• A completed VIN verification form.
• Any previous registration documents.
• A signed sworn statement of ownership explaining how you acquired the vehicle.

3. Run a VIN check. 
Ensure the vehicle isn't stolen or has a salvage history. Use services like the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS) or AutoCheck.

4. If eligible, apply for a bonded title.
Bonded-title procedures and eligibility rules vary by state, so check with the motor vehicle agency where you live. Georgia and New York, for example, both provide a surety-bond process when acceptable proof of ownership is unavailable. Bond requirements also vary: Georgia generally requires a bond equal to twice the vehicle’s average retail value, with a minimum bond amount of $5,000, while Texas generally sets the bond at 1.5 times the vehicle’s value.

A bonded-title application typically requires evidence of ownership, such as a bill of sale, and a surety bond in the amount required by the state.

Texas has additional restrictions and deadlines for bonded titles. If the vehicle record shows a lien that is 10 years old or less, the applicant must provide an original lien release or letter of no interest; otherwise, the applicant is not eligible for a bonded title. After TxDMV issues a Notice of Determination, the applicant has one year to obtain the required surety bond and must apply for title at the county tax office within 30 days after purchasing the bond. The bond remains in effect for three years.

5. Submit your bonded-title application. 
Submit the required forms, ownership documents, and surety bond to the agency specified by your state and pay the applicable fees. These fees vary by state and transaction. For example, Georgia charges an $18 title fee for a bonded-title application. In Texas, the initial bonded-title eligibility review carries a $15 administrative fee; if approved, the title application fee is generally $28 or $33 depending on the county, in addition to any other applicable taxes or registration fees.

6. Complete the bonded-title process.
Follow your state motor vehicle agency’s instructions after the application is reviewed. The remaining steps and processing time vary by state.

7. If a bonded title is unavailable, use the alternative procedure in your state.
A bonded title and a court or administrative ownership proceeding are alternative routes, not consecutive steps. If a bonded title is unavailable for your situation or you do not qualify for one, contact your state motor vehicle agency to determine the appropriate alternative procedure.