question about car with no title

[padstack]

Hey guys. Question. I have a 1961 fairlane 500 that was my aunt and uncle's back in Missouri. It was last licensed in 1988 (the year my aunt died - it was her farm car). It's in pretty good shape (nearly rust free) but doesn't run. Problem is, once she died, the uncle parked it in the barn and never bothered it again. Fast forward about 20 years and he dies. The family basically forgot the car existed since it was in a tiny barn. Fast forward ANOTHER couple years and my uncle finds it, and decides he needs the barn for hay (we have about 1100 acres they raise steers on). He calls me and asks if I want it. Before thinking about it, I agree and trailer it to my place just outside of Cleveland, OH (which, I find out later, was a bad move).

I have the original title, but both people on the title are dead (tough to sign if you're dead!).

So, the question remains, how do I get it titled in my name? I do know that the car isn't even recognized in the state of MO because it hasn't been licensed in the last 10 years (I called and they have no record of the VIN). I know there are some companies that will do this for you, but they want $350 to do it! What are they doing? Can I do it too?

Any help is appreciated! I'd love to do something with the car, but I don't want to mess around with it and never get to take it out of my garage!

Thanks in advance!

 

[ZRX61]

Well......... what you could do is...

Show up at your local DMV, tell em you lost the title for YOUR Fairlane & ask for a replacement title... They won't have any record so will likely ask you to take it somewhere to have the VIN verified & then issue you a new title for your old car...

Of course this will only work if you *lost* the plates...

 

[larry_g]

There should have been a disaloution of the property and someone who settled the estate, the executor. The executor should be able to provide you with a copy of the death certificate and a release of the vehicle to you. You may also have your uncle give you a bill of sale. Go to your local DMV and ask what they will need for paperwork.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Stuart in MN]

There should have been a disaloution of the property and someone who settled the estate, the executor. The executor should be able to provide you with a copy of the death certificate and a release of the vehicle to you. You may also have your uncle give you a bill of sale. Go to your local DMV and ask what they will need for paperwork.

lg
no neat sig line

This is most likely the case, I went through the same thing with I car I bought once. You'll have to talk to your DMV to find out for sure.

SEMA has recently created a website listing the licensing requirements in all 50 states, which is a handy reference: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62843

 

[isaac338]

It's different everywhere..

Around here, you head to the DMV and tell them you have a vehicle with no papers and have no reasonable way to get in touch with the last registered owner. They give you a form, you get a cop to check the VIN plate (or whatever) and sign the form, you bring back the form with the $25 or whatever, and they hand you your registration.

It's quick and painless once you convince the chick at the desk that it's a legitimate process.. (speaking from experience here).

Good luck!

 

[56nash]

I take it you live in a state that requires a notary seal? Here a notary is no longer needed on a vehicle title, grandpa just happened to transfer title on his car weeks before his death and we just forgot to get to DMV to transfer said title. wink.... wink....

 

[ddawg16]

It's different everywhere..

Around here, you head to the DMV and tell them you have a vehicle with no papers and have no reasonable way to get in touch with the last registered owner. They give you a form, you get a cop to check the VIN plate (or whatever) and sign the form, you bring back the form with the $25 or whatever, and they hand you your registration.

It's quick and painless once you convince the chick at the desk that it's a legitimate process.. (speaking from experience here).

Good luck!

That tends to be the rule and not the exception....basically, if no one has reported it stolen and it has not been registered in over 10 years....good chance it is not even in any system.....

Stuff like this happens all the time....go the simple route first and try the above....if no go...then go the estate process.

 

[timewarp]

I have the original title, but both people on the title are dead (tough to sign if you're dead!).

Channel them through your body and have them sign the title over to you, I bet that the person at the local DMV doesn't even know they are dead. As long as Ohio doesn't want notorized signatures on the title it should be no problem. I would think that while you were channeling them they could even write you out a reciept.

 

[rsanter]

generally the law is that if the car is not listed as stollen and its out of the system, ye who possess the vehicle owns the vehicle

bob

 

[waltmcq]

Yep have a female friend sign it and bring it in an get it put in your name.

 

[ddawg16]

Yep have a female friend sign it and bring it in an get it put in your name.

Really BAD advice.....it's one thing to play stupid and pretend that you don't have a title....but to forge a signature? A Felony in most states when related to a car....

 

[54FordPanel]

This is most likely the case, I went through the same thing with I car I bought once. You'll have to talk to your DMV to find out for sure.

SEMA has recently created a website listing the licensing requirements in all 50 states, which is a handy reference: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62843

That SEMA link was good, thanks.

I always chuckle at ads on eBay and Craigslist that say: "I have no title, but it's a piece of cake to get one".
Then why don't they do it before they sell it?
I wouldn't buy a car without a title in Colorado, but I guess it's not a big deal in other states.

 

[nehog]

OK, here's my advice... Your second uncle, who told you that you could have the car, should create an equivalent to a bill of sale (but as a gift). Remember, in most states a car that old won't have a title anyway. Take that document tot he DMV and most likely they'll not bat an eyelash, though they may (big may with a car that age) want a 'VIN' verification. If they want the verification, all that entails is getting a LEO to verify they have seen the vehicle, and the VIN matches what you say it is. The LEO doesn't even (usually) care about the transfer documents, all he wants to see is the VIN plate and the vehicle, then he fills in a form verifying that the VIN appears to be correct and unaltered. (or appears unreadable, or is missing, or whatever...)

Just have your uncle provide a transfer document (which you can write up in Notepad on your computer, that he (and you) both sign. Some states may require the document be notarized (that verifies the signatures, not the car or VIN or title), just that the people who are signing the document are who they say they are.

 

[fflintstone]

OK, here's my advice... Your second uncle, who told you that you could have the car, should create an equivalent to a bill of sale (but as a gift). Remember, in most states a car that old won't have a title anyway. Take that document tot he DMV and most likely they'll not bat an eyelash, though they may (big may with a car that age) want a 'VIN' verification. If they want the verification, all that entails is getting a LEO to verify they have seen the vehicle, and the VIN matches what you say it is. The LEO doesn't even (usually) care about the transfer documents, all he wants to see is the VIN plate and the vehicle, then he fills in a form verifying that the VIN appears to be correct and unaltered. (or appears unreadable, or is missing, or whatever...)

Just have your uncle provide a transfer document (which you can write up in Notepad on your computer, that he (and you) both sign. Some states may require the document be notarized (that verifies the signatures, not the car or VIN or title), just that the people who are signing the document are who they say they are.

best advice so far.

 

[padstack]

Thanks everyone. I looked into it a little more and I think I have to have the executor of the estate provide death certs on both the aunt and uncle as well as a notarized document that he is the executor of the estate. Then he can sign the title over to me so I can get an MO title, then bring it to OH and get it transferred to here...

what a pain... I should have left it in the barn! LOL!

Oh, and the problem with the VIN verification is that the car is in OH and the uncle is in MO. I would have to trailer it back to MO for the ID.

 

[STINEY]

When & if you get the MO title, there is another step you'll need to undertake to bring it into OH.

All out of state titled vehicles need to be "inspected" to transfer the title. Do not get worried abou this, all it entails is a VIN verification. In my experience, don't try to do this at the BMV, its a nightmare.

Just stop by a Auto Dealership and they will have someone on hand who does this. Just a little form and a few dollars, they look at the out of state paperwork and the VIN on the vehicle and fill out the form which merely states that they match.

With this little form, the folks at the BMV are happy. And you will be too!


On the MO title, are you sure you didn't buy it from someone in AL? Seems that if that were the case, that someone in AL could just register it with the VIN down there (they do not use titles on older stuff), and sell it to you, sending you the registration paperwork which suffices for a "title" in the Ohio transfer process.

I dunno, maybe you actually bought it out of Alabama and you didn't realize it?

Good luck.

 

[MrSnicks]

NC is the worst for vehicle titles. They want a title on EVERYTHING. Even stuff older than 25 years. They also require a notarized signature on title transfers/sales.

But as stated stuff varies from state to state. Call the DMV and see what the process is.

Patrick

 

[Falcon67]

From what I understand, NV issues a title based on a Bill of Sale. It cal all be done through the mail, I have not done it personally. The problem here in Texas is that once you have that title, to xfer it here they will use a Standard Presumptive Value for the transfer tax - really, they will look up a 19XX whatever in the NADA classic listings and use the middle value as your tax basis. Your only option is an appraisal by an licensed dealer and that dealer BY LAW has to charge at least $100 for the appraisal. Texas will also issue a "bonded title" - you pay for the bond and in 5 years you get a clear title. DMV approves it first. If an owner shows up with the original title before the 5 years is up - you lose the car. So nobody around here wants a bonded title. I had a friend that went through that. Nothing like working on a car for a couple of years, spending a few $$$$ then having the sheriff show up with a guy and the real title. Check the VIN and watch it drive away.

Best to just check with your DMV on the procedure for your area. The estate advice is right, the executor can issue paperwork that will get you a clean title. Wife had to do that with her dad's truck after he passed away.

If it's a 2 door Fairlane, it's worth the trouble.

 

[csp]

Well......... what you could do is...

Show up at your local DMV, tell em you lost the title for YOUR Fairlane & ask for a replacement title... They won't have any record so will likely ask you to take it somewhere to have the VIN verified & then issue you a new title for your old car...

Of course this will only work if you *lost* the plates...

That would go over like a fart in church around here. Unless the local DMV has record of the person asking for a lost title having been issued a title to begin with, forget it.

The best thing is to go to the Ohio DMV and ask them. They may have the necessary info on their website.

In Colorado the VIN must be verified, a title search has to be completed, and a bond issued for ** times the value of the vehicle before a title will be issued. This of course may only apply to Colorado, so go to the source of the actual info instead of getting random suggestions which probably don't apply.

 

[padstack]

Yeah, I really don't want to be shady. I just want to get it transferred over. It's nothing fancy (it's actually a 4-door, but I liked it). Sad thing is that I'm trying to do it by the book when I could probably just use one of those "title services" to get it taken care of in only a few weeks. It's easier to be shady than to try and be honest!

STINY - Since you're in OH, let me ask you a question. The car doesn't run, so do would I need to trailer it somewhere to get the VIN checked? When I moved to OH from MO, I had a car that I drove and I don't remember ever having to do that. Thanks!

 

[nehog]

...
Oh, and the problem with the VIN verification is that the car is in OH and the uncle is in MO. I would have to trailer it back to MO for the ID.

If you are registering in OH, then the VIN verification would be there, not MO. The uncle can mail the document(s) to you, he need not have the car in his possession.

 

[Kurn]

The "title" services that give you a so-called title from some southern states are not recognized in Ohio.Try having the uncle send you a notarized bill of sale,take it and the car to a dealer and they will verify the VIN on the bill matches the car.Then take the paperwork to a deputy registrar.

 

[csp]

The car doesn't run, so do would I need to trailer it somewhere to get the VIN checked?

In CO a law enforcement officer can come to you and verify the VIN. Worth looking into if you don't have a trailer.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I always wonder about this...whenever someone posts a question about titling a car in one state, everyone responds by describing how to do it in another state.

 

[padstack]

I always wonder about this...whenever someone posts a question about titling a car in one state, everyone responds by describing how to do it in another state.

For what it's worth, I still don't mind. At least there's an attempt to help.

Kurn - I'm NOT saying you're wrong, but why is that? If I had a valid title from one state in my name, what would prevent me from transferring it to an Ohio title? (for what it's worth, I would prefer to do it the right way).

 

[Stuart in MN]

I understand Minnesota and some other states have the same issue as Ohio does with titles that come from Broadway Title, or other similar companies in that part of the country - the state's concern is they can be used to launder titles on cars that have been stolen, gone through a flood, etc.

 

[padstack]

I certainly understand WHY, I just don't understand HOW. That's all I was saying. Do they just have everyone on the lookout for a car from "Broadway Title"?

 

[Falcon67]

I certainly understand WHY, I just don't understand HOW. That's all I was saying. Do they just have everyone on the lookout for a car from "Broadway Title"?

Probably the same way that they now know here whether or not you have insurance without you having to produce an insurance card. They also know if you have a valid inspection sticker or not. Cops know from your plate, tax accessor knows from their screens when you go to renew plates. No sticker, no insurance, no plates. Your kid turns 16 and gets a learner's permit, you get a letter from your insurance co. about your new rates. Get pulled over and they run your plate first. If you have an expired sticker and no insurance it'll show up right there on the in car data terminal. You have two citations coming plus whatever you manage to get in the bonus round when the officer actually gets out of the car.

I was off on a tangent with the TX info, but the NV info was offed as valid since a guy in my car club just had to do that for a GTO he bought. His fight now is with the tax accessor on SPV since it had no running gear but they wanted to hit him for 6% of the "5000 it is worth". He now has a clear title and is going to a dealer to get a realistic value.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Since you have the old title, just sign it over and date it before the uncle passed away, and write up a bill of sale. Its not like you're committing murder here, it's just a title.

 

[padstack]

Probably the same way that they now know here whether or not you have insurance without you having to produce an insurance card. They also know if you have a valid inspection sticker or not. Cops know from your plate, tax accessor knows from their screens when you go to renew plates. No sticker, no insurance, no plates. Your kid turns 16 and gets a learner's permit, you get a letter from your insurance co. about your new rates. Get pulled over and they run your plate first. If you have an expired sticker and no insurance it'll show up right there on the in car data terminal. You have two citations coming plus whatever you manage to get in the bonus round when the officer actually gets out of the car.

I was off on a tangent with the TX info, but the NV info was offed as valid since a guy in my car club just had to do that for a GTO he bought. His fight now is with the tax accessor on SPV since it had no running gear but they wanted to hit him for 6% of the "5000 it is worth". He now has a clear title and is going to a dealer to get a realistic value.

And I appreciate the help. I'm trying to get the executor to sign the title and provide notarized paperwork that he is the executor, as well as copies of the death certs for both the aunt and uncle. Once I have that, (I found out today) that MO SHOULD allow him to sign it over to me. At this point, I certainly don't mind paying the taxes on its value (it isn't that much). I just want it taken care of!

 

[STINEY]

As the Ohio part goes, yes the car has to be vin verified, and that entails someone looking at it. I suppose if you were friendly enough with the person, they would come to the car, but I've not had that luxury.

Not sure how you might have avoided it before with your daily driver? Perhaps you had a lein on it and there are separate rules for that? Being as the bank technically owns it in that instance, and they wouldn't make the bank drag stuff around? Not sure, I've done it 4 times, 3 with a trailer and once with a temp tag (that one actually ran.)

And they are right on Ohio not liking the Broadway title stuff. By the way, Broadway Title uses Alabama to do the same thing I mentioned that you can do personally, except when Broadway does it their name is on the title as the seller, and I suspect that is what throws the flag to the bureaucracy.....

 

[wornoutoldman]

Not title related but sounds like a good Mayberry Police cruiser start.

 

[Kurn]

The issue with Broadway and other title "services" was that they were primarily used for stolen motorcycles,according to the Ohio BMV.Still,it shouldn't be too hard to get an Ohio title.The main thing they are concerned is that the VIN matches the vehicle.One word of advice,however.On an older vehicle,when you take it to a dealer for # verification,try to go to the particular make's dealer.(In your case a Ford dealer).Just makes it a little easier,in my experience.You shouldn't have to go to Mo,if your uncle does get a probate title or BOS or both,you really don't need to be there.Just make sure the title or documentation is notarized,IF Missouri is a notary title state.Your deputy regristrar will have a list of who is and who isn't.

 

[arb905]

If there is no original title from MO, get a bill of sale. There should have been someone named as executor of the estate for both of the deceased. That person can supply the bill of sale. I have purchased a '67 Camaro from GA and a '70 Nova from AL. neither had titles. I took them to the BMV on a trailer, paid the registrar office to verify the VIN on both. Took that next door to the Tittle office and they issued new titles based on VIN verification and bill of sale. The VIN verification is a nationwide record search for stolen vehicles. If you have any other questions call your local OSP post and they can tell you exactly what needs to be done.

I live in Ohio and have transferred both cars to Ohio.

 

[crewchief888]

around here the bmv has to verify the vin on any vehicle brought in from out of state.
present the vehicle to a local bmv office, or
a simple form, $5 to a local leo to verify the vin, and back to the bmv

you may want to check with a bmv supervisor and find out what you need to do in this case.
as mentioned a bill of sale from a blood relative, and death certificate would probably be the best place to start

good luck

 

[padstack]

If there is no original title from MO, get a bill of sale. There should have been someone named as executor of the estate for both of the deceased. That person can supply the bill of sale. I have purchased a '67 Camaro from GA and a '70 Nova from AL. neither had titles. I took them to the BMV on a trailer, paid the registrar office to verify the VIN on both. Took that next door to the Tittle office and they issued new titles based on VIN verification and bill of sale. The VIN verification is a nationwide record search for stolen vehicles. If you have any other questions call your local OSP post and they can tell you exactly what needs to be done.

I live in Ohio and have transferred both cars to Ohio.

What county do you live in?

 

[arb905]

warren