Anybody in CA familiar with lost title process?

Discussion in 'The "Paper Trail"' started by xs650shawn, Dec 21, 2011.

  1. xs650shawn

    xs650shawn Well-Known Member

    I bought my '67 Skylark with a bill of sale. Owner did not have a title. I have gone through this process with a motorcycle before, involved jumping through hoops with the DMV and CHP, but was able to get a title. I figured this would be a process. Problem is, I contacted two of those stand alone title/registration places and got different stories. One told me it is not legal to sell a car in CA without a title. The other said that it is not a problem, but she needs to either physically see the car, or needs me to send her pics of the car and a pencil etching of the VIN. She was actually kind enough to call the DMV for me and check the VIN, to which the DMV said they have no record of the car. Good thing?? Bad thing?? I don't know. The car was last registered in 1992, so I suppose it is possible for it to be out of the system completely. My question is this, should I go to the DMV to notify them that I have purchased the car, pay the taxes, and start the process of getting a title, or is it possible to just start the lost title process and hopefully avoid paying sales taxes on it? Unfortunately, the PO put a price on the bill of sale. I would have the woman who needs the pics of the car do this, but she is some distance from my home. This is the first time I have purchased a car from a private owner, but I can't imagine the process would be much different from the motorcycle I had titled. Have I screwed myself in this, or is it just going to be a PITA. Would appreciated help from anybody who may have gone through a similar process.
     
  2. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Yeah give me a call 909-455-6826 when u can joseph
     
  3. kcombs

    kcombs Well-Known Member

    If it is out of the system that is a good thing. No outstanding parking tickets and it isn't stolen. If you have had the car in your possession for awhile I believe you can lien sale it. there are companies that will process the paperwork for you, seems to me it cost me around $150 the last time I did a lien sale. I would call Joseph, it sound like he has current knowledge on the subject.
     
  4. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    If you get triple a service its the best thing 31 bucks a year walk in tell them u want to buy a old car from some guy but he lost all the paper work what papers do i need they will give it to you then ask them to check the vin number that you have they will say yes or no if there is fees... then go home fill out those papers they gave u cause you have the old owners info have someone else sign his name and there u go i just did it with my pops car. And we bought it three years ago and i just got the pink for it give me a call i can explain it better talkin then typing ...
     
  5. Ramair455ho

    Ramair455ho Gold Level Contributor

    I have done this many times in CA. You need to provide a properly completed Bill of Sale, a Statement of the Facts form, The ViN needs to be Verified in person by one of the following: DMV, CHP, local Police, or verified by a recognized car club as defined by DMV rules. Basically they are looking to see if the VIN matches the paperwork and that the VIN has not been altered or tampered with in any way. YOU will have to pay sales tax on the vehicle and they will try to collect any back registration based on the last registration tag on the license plate if the vehicle has plates. Most DMV clerks do not know how to properly do this process. I would advise you have a supervisor help you with the process but even then I have had to guide the supervisor in how to bring back the vehicle on the DMV system. Be mindful that they may try to give you the run around since they do not process this type of paperwork often.
     
  6. SteeveeDee

    SteeveeDee Orange Acres

    Bolding mine...really?
     
  7. beach cruiser

    beach cruiser Well-Known Member

    I agree with those that recommended a membership in AAA. They have DMV experts that can give you the best information and forms to use. They can also help you fill out those forms properly. I have been a member for 35 years and they have helped me with some real off the wall stuff.
    As for the DMV, if you like trips to the Twilight Zone to visit the Living Dead, well go ahead and get your freak on. Good Luck.
     
  8. 71GS455

    71GS455 Best Package Wins!

    I always find it interesting in advertisements where they say that they "lost the title", but "it's easy to get a new one". If it were so easy - why didn't they do it themselves?
     
  9. xs650shawn

    xs650shawn Well-Known Member

    So just out of curiosity, whats to stop me from going to the DMV and applying for a lost title? If the DMV has no record of the car, and I say that I have had it a few years and lost the paperwork, what can they require? Probably not a completely ethical situation, but I am looking for the easiest legal way to get a title on the car. Reason being is that the bill of sale is hand written, not the DMV form. Just a thought.
     
  10. rifo

    rifo Well-Known Member

    Just found this and thought i woud open it up again. To XS650Shawn: I believe that you must be the owner listed on the title to be able to file for a lost title, not just someone who bought the car and then lost it without ever having it in your name. Please let us know what you have found.
    Are you guys sur that the AAA insurance will help with this?
    My own problem is a little different. I have a 71 Skylark that I bought and I have to deal with the DMV on it due to being an out of state title. The car was moved to California in 1979 after being bought and registered in Indiana and the lady drove it here until her death in 2011. She registerd it in California but never got a California title. I was given the 1971 Indiana title when I bought the car from her neice who inherited the car. The niece had tried to put it in her name and thought she had but all the paperwork was returned saying she had to perfect the title in Indiana in her name first. I called and spoke with DMV people and explained it (Indiana only goes back 5 or 10 years in their paperwork) and was told I needed a surey bond. I got one and went back to DMV and was then told they need something from Indiana saying they have no interest or record of the car. I am trying to get that now. After my last visit I called and spoke to Ca DMV again and said i need a final soloution for what I need and they said I need a death certificate from the original owner. I now have that, -the neice is being very helpful- and am waiting for the reply from Indiana before I try again. Cal DMV can sure be a headache.
    Hope you are succesful. I see cars all the time for sale with "Bill of Sale" only. There is a way I am sure to get them titled.
     
  11. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    Yeah i just registered my pops car after three years of having it with an out of state title told them i bought it last weekend with no bill of sale they gave me a couple of forms and had to have the vin verified by a peace officer which is my neighbor and it done all through triple a
     
  12. rifo

    rifo Well-Known Member

    Thanks gmcfamily. I belong to AAA and will have to give them a try. Worth the membership price just to use them for DMV services. Good luck to you. Hope yours goes better than mine has.
     
  13. OHC JOE

    OHC JOE Mullet Mafia since 2020

    My pops already has his pink give me a call 909-455-6826 if you need to i can talk better than type..
     
  14. rifo

    rifo Well-Known Member

    Thanks gmcfamily, , I may take you up on that. Part of my trouble is my car never was out of the system. The lady kept it registered every year. The registration is called "Golden Rod" (though not gold color) and said on the top of the registration "not transferable". This was because of the Indiana title. I may have it beat when I receive the letter back from Indiana, but it may take a while to get it. My name is Rich, and I might call and ask some questions. Thanks again.
     
  15. rifo

    rifo Well-Known Member

    Just to update, I got the registration today and the title will come in the mail. What a nightmare. Today I went to DMV and got all the same stories as before ,and i showed them the letter i received from Indiana DMV (no records past 10 years) and I also had a death certificate for the owner- but finally they had me fill out a statement of facts and took my Surety Bond and said OK. I won't be 100% sure until my new title arrives in the mail. I feel really lucky .
     

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