Title Bonds for Lost or Stolen Vehicle Titles

The government should issue a certificate (vehicle title) that includes specific information about your vehicle to prove that you own your car. Here’s some of the data it should include:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Legal owner’s name
• Make and model of the vehicle
• Weight class
• Odometer reading (when the car is sold)
• Lienholder information (if the sale is being financed)
• Whether the title is clean or has a record of damage

You should apply for a certificate of title when you purchase a new vehicle. Visit your local DMV, taking along a valid ID, bill of sale (or other proof of ownership), the application for your title, proof of insurance, and money for any applicable fees. You could pay anywhere from $5 to $150 for your title.

If you don’t receive a valid, physical certificate of title when you buy your car, you may need to obtain a bonded version of a car title. The original title for your vehicle could have been lost or stolen, or the seller may have intentionally sold you a car without it. 

Bonded vehicle titles are available in most of the United States. However, specific states may not allow bonded titles (like Kansas, Oregon, and Pennsylvania). They may offer court-ordered titles instead (Ohio and Indiana). Check with your DMV to learn how to get a car title in your state.

To clarify, we’re explicitly talking about the bond that you attach to a certificate of title on a vehicle without an original title. A title surety bond is a legal contracts between three parties:

• Obligee: State requiring the bonded title
• Principal: Owner of the vehicle who buys the bond
• Surety: Financial institution that underwrites and issues the bond

When a principal purchases a surety bond, they take responsibility (legally and financially) for what’s outlined in the surety contract. If they fail to abide by the contract terms, the DMV or another party can file a claim against the bond. The surety may step in to cover the claim (up to the full bond amount), but the principal must ultimately pay them back.

These bonds are quickly issued, typically cost $100, and have a 3-year bond period. After the bond expires, there is no requirement for the bond.

Every state has different requirements for the total bond amount (bond penalty). However, in most cases, the required bond amount is equal to or greater than 1.5 times the car’s value. The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) will determine the value of your vehicle.

The DOT of the Department of Motor Vehicles should provide you with a bond form and/or letter with all the necessary information the surety company needs. The required information should include:

• The bond penalty
• Value of the vehicle
• Vehicle make, model, and year
• VIN

Note that the process may vary based on your state’s specific requirements.

1. Visit your local DMV to apply for the title.
2. Fill out applicable paperwork and pay a fee (find your state-specific application below).
3. If your bonded title application is approved, your DMV will tell you the required surety bond amount.
4. Obtain your title bond from a surety provider like ZipBonds by paying a premium.
5. Print and physically sign your new bond.
6. Submit the bond (along with other required documents) to your county tax office to receive the bonded title for your car.

Fill out your state-specific application to get a jumpstart on the process.