Need quick answer about title rules.

[Kuhlryde]

I'm curious. Is there any kind of an expiration on titles? I am looking at a car that has a title that was notorized and signed by PO in 1990, but was never signed over to anyone in particular. The notary's commission expired in 1993. I am trying not to get screwed again, so if anyone could answer that I would greatly appreciate it.

Car title is from Colorado and will be titled in Ohio.

Thanks!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

You don't give the year of the car. Some states don't require titles after the car is a certain age. Other states require it forever. You probably need to direct the question to the state title and tag office, as they will be the ones to question it. Usually this is the state department of revenue or department of motor vehicles or some similar department.

Charles

 

[Junkman]

If you fill in your name and address, then Ohio might want to charge you for sales tax and interest back to the date on the title. If Ohio has a yearly tax on vehicles, then you can get hit with those also. I would tell the seller to put the title in his name and then transfer it to you.
I have a friend that just titled a 1929 Ford Model A in MA this past week. The sales tax was based on the "average" value per the "book".... $12,000. He paid under $3000 for the car, and had to bring in pictures and a copy of the check that he paid for the vehicle with. The states are in need of money, so they will go after it any way that they can. Just because you got a good deal, doesn't mean that the states are going to let you off easy on the sales / use tax.
If you can't get a clear title, then I would walk. Many of the states will no longer accept title paperwork from Broadway Title any longer. That used to be the way to go. What is the car??????

 

[Kuhlryde]

It's a VW Bug. Ohio is pretty strict on titling laws so this may fall through. Thanks for the responses! I will give them a shout tomorrow morning and see what they have to say.

 

[Kuhlryde]

FYI. I went to the BMV this morning and they verified that everything would be fine since it's the same as me holding on to it for 16 years. They said that I would have to pay a fine ($5.00) LOL