Lost Car Title? How to Get a Duplicate (and What It Costs)
If your car title is lost, stolen or damaged, you can get a duplicate from the state that issued it. Here are the steps, what to do if there's a loan, and duplicate title fees in the states we've checked.
How to replace a lost car title
- Find the state that issued the title (usually the state where the car was last titled).
- Gather the VIN, your driver's license or ID, and, if the car is financed, your lender's details.
- Fill in that state's duplicate or replacement title application and pay the fee: online, by mail or at a motor vehicle office.
- Wait for the new title. Once it is issued, the old one is void, so destroy it if you find it.
Duplicate title fees we've checked
Fees from our official-source checks of each state's fee schedule. States not listed aren't in our checked data yet; your state's motor vehicle agency has the current amount.
| CaliforniaReplacement title | $28 |
|---|---|
| ColoradoDuplicate title | $8.20 |
| DelawareDuplicate title | $50 |
| IllinoisDuplicate title | $50 |
| KentuckyDuplicate title | $6 |
| MarylandDuplicate title | $40 |
| MassachusettsDuplicate title | $25 |
| New YorkDuplicate title | $20 |
| TexasDuplicate title (by mail) | $2 |
| TexasDuplicate title (in person) | $5.45 |
| WisconsinReplacement title | $20 |
Selling or buying a car with a missing title
Buying a car whose seller "lost the title" is risky: the title is the only proof the seller owns it and that no lender has a claim. Ask the seller to get the duplicate before you pay. When you do buy, the transfer costs are on our title transfer pages.
Frequently asked questions
How do I get a copy of a lost car title?
Apply for a duplicate (replacement) title with the motor vehicle agency of the state that issued it. You usually need the VIN, your ID, the application form and the fee; some states let you apply online or by mail.
Can I sell a car without the title?
In most cases no: the buyer needs the signed title to register the car. Get the duplicate first, then sign it over.
What if the car still has a loan?
If a lender is listed on the title, the replacement may be sent to the lender, or the lender may need to release the lien first. Ask the lender before you apply.
How much does a duplicate title cost?
It depends on the state: in the states we've checked it ranges from $2 to $50. See the table on this page.