Lost Title? Buying a Vehicle With No Title?
Funch can help you understand the possible next steps, identify whether you're dealing with a replacement-title situation or something more complicated, and point you toward the right Arizona MVD process.
Lost an Arizona Vehicle Title?
If you're the owner of record and the Arizona title was lost, damaged or became unreadable, this may be the easy scenario.
Arizona MVD currently allows the owner of record to request a replacement title through AZ MVD Now. The replacement-title fee is currently $4.
- You must generally be the current owner of record.
- The ownership and lien information must remain the same.
- You can request a paper replacement title through AZ MVD Now.
Funch Tip: Don't start a bonded-title process when a simple replacement title will solve the problem.
You May Need a Bonded Title.
Arizona may require a bonded title when there isn't enough documentation to establish ownership or when title problems can't be resolved through the normal transfer process.
The process can include:
- Vehicle inspection
- Applicant affidavit
- Owner and lienholder research or notification
- Additional documentation requested by MVD
- Purchase of a qualifying surety bond
Arizona currently requires the bond amount to be one and one-half times the vehicle's value.
Thinking About Buying a Vehicle With No Title?
A cheap vehicle can stop being a bargain very quickly if ownership can't be transferred. Before buying, try to understand why the title is missing.
- Ask who the current titled owner is.
- Ask for any registration, prior title, bill of sale or ownership documents.
- Determine whether a lien may still exist.
- Verify the VIN and vehicle information.
- Consider checking with Arizona MVD before exchanging money.
Start With the Situation — Then Figure Out the Next Step.
I can help you understand whether your situation sounds like a simple replacement title, a standard transfer issue or a situation that may require a bonded title or additional MVD documentation. If a surety bond is required, I can also help explore bond options where available.
Not Sure What Kind of Title Problem You Have?
Send Funch the basics and let's figure out where to start.
Funch Insurance Services is not the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division and does not issue vehicle titles. Title eligibility, required documentation and final approval are determined by Arizona MVD. Any surety bond availability is subject to carrier underwriting and eligibility.