📄 Duplicate Title Transfer: How to Sell or Transfer a Vehicle with a Duplicate Title

If you’re selling or transferring ownership of a vehicle and only have a duplicate title, don’t worry — it is fully legal and valid for vehicle transfers. A duplicate title has the same legal status as an original one, just marked DUPLICATE. However, there are specific steps you must follow to ensure the transfer is done correctly and securely.

This guide will walk you through:

✅ What a duplicate title is
✅ Can you transfer a car with a duplicate title
✅ Step-by-step process for transferring a vehicle with a duplicate title
✅ Required documents & fees
✅ Tips to avoid fraud

🔍 What Is a Duplicate Title?

A duplicate title is an official replacement issued by your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) when the original is lost, stolen, damaged, or illegible.

It contains:

• The vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Make, model, and year
• Owner name(s)
• Lienholder info (if applicable)

✅ A duplicate title is just as valid as the original and can be used for selling, transferring, registering, or insuring a vehicle.

✅ Can You Transfer a Car with a Duplicate Title?

Yes — a duplicate title can legally be used to sell or transfer a vehicle. Most private party sales use duplicate titles because the original may already be in the hands of a lender or lost.

However, once you sign over the duplicate title to the buyer, you no longer hold legal proof of ownership, so it’s important to complete the transfer properly.

📝 Step-by-Step: How to Transfer a Duplicate Title

1. Locate the Seller’s Section on the Title

On the back of most titles, there should be a section labeled something like:

• Assignment of Title by Registered Owner
• Seller’s Section
• “Signature of Seller(s)

You’ll typically find:

• Seller name(s)
• Buyer name(s)
• Date of sale
• Odometer reading (for vehicles under 10 years old)
• Sale price (optional in some states)

2. Complete the Seller Section

Both parties should fill out the following (if required by your state):

3. Sign the Title Over to the Buyer

As the seller, you must sign the title to release ownership. Some states require:

• Notarization of signatures
• Presence of both parties
• Government-issued photo ID verification

Make sure the buyer signs the receipt and keeps a copy of the bill of sale.

4. Provide Supporting Documents

Commonly required documents include:

5. Submit to Your State DMV

Depending on your state, you may need to submit the transfer:

• Online
• By mail
• In person at a local DMV office

Some states allow third-party services like AAA or eTags to assist with transfers.

📋 Sample: How to Fill Out a Duplicate Title Transfer

Here’s how to complete a typical duplicate title transfer form (based on California REG 227):

🧾 Where to Go for a Duplicate Title Transfer

Each state has specific rules about transferring a duplicate title. Here are common options:

🔎 If you tell me what state you’re in, I can give you the exact forms, links, and instructions.

⚠️ Important Notes & Tips