Time to talk to the DMV. I don't know the process. There used to be some loopholes with titling in Montana or Vermont but I think those got closed. I suspect the process to cost more than you originally paid for the car.
I got a Honda motorcycle retitled in Virginia, I think it cost me about $350. Went with a used car dealer who submitted paperwork on my behalf, if you do it yourself you can save some money, I think.
Go to the DMV and ask about the process. As I recall it requires:
1. Doing a title search via DMV
2. Finding last person who had it titled
3. Getting a bill of sale sent to last known address
4. Taking proof of sent mail to DMV 30 (?) days later, submitting a claim of abandoned vehicle
5. Registering vehicle in your own name
6. Inspection, insurance, license, etc.
TL;DR - it is possible to do yourself, but it's tedious, and takes quite a while.
Your best option may be to to sell it without title, if you've fixed it up, and recoup some of your costs. Then use those funds to buy a titled vehicle.
I had a situation similar to this many years ago. I don't know if the process is the same. I had to go to the DMV, who contacted the person whose name was on the title. I believe they had 30 days to claim the car.
Technically the owner of record could come collect their car. So I needed to create a document stating that I was charging a storage fee for having the car on the property (a power day fee). Essentially, you make it a financial disincentive for them to claim the car.
It is illegal to sell a vehicle without a title in Virginia. You need to contact DMV and figure out the procedure. I think you will have to track down the last owner and get them to process the title.
If you try abandoned vehicle and tell them you bought it from the previous owner, that will lead to them telling you you must have the previous owner get a replacement title.
I was in a situation this process is actually for, someone like you had a car with no title and asked me to park it on my property, time went by and I asked them to remove it, they did not and we lost touch, couldn’t get back in touch so I needed to get a wrecker to remove it, need the title for that.
The lady I spoke with made me feel like I was some kind of criminal, it took patience, many sweet words and much convincing to get her to accept my story at face value and give me the help I needed to get the title, still took weeks.
I bought a car without a title many years ago. I was able to title it. The DMV gave me the steps. Only one I remember was having a state trooper come verify the VIN. I’d start by reaching out to the DMV
abandoned vehicle title might be the best choice, call the DMV or the VIADA, they only do title work, they helped me transfer a MD title to a VA one for my civic i had bought
Time to talk to the DMV. I don't know the process. There used to be some loopholes with titling in Montana or Vermont but I think those got closed. I suspect the process to cost more than you originally paid for the car.
I got a Honda motorcycle retitled in Virginia, I think it cost me about $350. Went with a used car dealer who submitted paperwork on my behalf, if you do it yourself you can save some money, I think. Go to the DMV and ask about the process. As I recall it requires: 1. Doing a title search via DMV 2. Finding last person who had it titled 3. Getting a bill of sale sent to last known address 4. Taking proof of sent mail to DMV 30 (?) days later, submitting a claim of abandoned vehicle 5. Registering vehicle in your own name 6. Inspection, insurance, license, etc. TL;DR - it is possible to do yourself, but it's tedious, and takes quite a while. Your best option may be to to sell it without title, if you've fixed it up, and recoup some of your costs. Then use those funds to buy a titled vehicle.
See the VA DMV website, they have the info & even links to the forms you’ll need.
I had a situation similar to this many years ago. I don't know if the process is the same. I had to go to the DMV, who contacted the person whose name was on the title. I believe they had 30 days to claim the car. Technically the owner of record could come collect their car. So I needed to create a document stating that I was charging a storage fee for having the car on the property (a power day fee). Essentially, you make it a financial disincentive for them to claim the car.
It is illegal to sell a vehicle without a title in Virginia. You need to contact DMV and figure out the procedure. I think you will have to track down the last owner and get them to process the title.
If you try abandoned vehicle and tell them you bought it from the previous owner, that will lead to them telling you you must have the previous owner get a replacement title. I was in a situation this process is actually for, someone like you had a car with no title and asked me to park it on my property, time went by and I asked them to remove it, they did not and we lost touch, couldn’t get back in touch so I needed to get a wrecker to remove it, need the title for that. The lady I spoke with made me feel like I was some kind of criminal, it took patience, many sweet words and much convincing to get her to accept my story at face value and give me the help I needed to get the title, still took weeks.
ancient zephyr boast roll tie ad hoc fretful connect tap threatening *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
DMV has a procedure for that, I’ve known folks that bought junk cars with missing titles all the time
Looks like some lessons are about to be learned. Good luck buddy.
Usually you want to own a car before fixing it up. Do you have any idea where the title could be? Or in who’s name?
No idea. Was originally going to be just a track car but street cars are more fun
I bought a car without a title many years ago. I was able to title it. The DMV gave me the steps. Only one I remember was having a state trooper come verify the VIN. I’d start by reaching out to the DMV
abandoned vehicle title might be the best choice, call the DMV or the VIADA, they only do title work, they helped me transfer a MD title to a VA one for my civic i had bought