Lost the title? You can still own it — legally.
A title bond (bonded title) lets you register a vehicle when the original title is lost, missing, or was never delivered. Tell us about the vehicle, and we’ll issue the bond your DMV requires — most title bonds are issued the same business day.
- Most bonds issued same day
- Low flat premiums for small bonds
- A-rated carrier partners
When you require a bonded title
Bought without a title
You purchased a vehicle from a private seller who never handed over the title — or the paperwork was lost in the shuffle.
Title never arrived
You paid off a loan or bought a car and the title was lost in the mail or never sent by the previous owner or lender.
Inherited or gifted vehicle
A vehicle came to you through family, a gift, or an informal sale — with no clean paper trail to register it.
Abandoned or project vehicle
You restored, or took possession of, a vehicle whose ownership documents are incomplete — and the DMV wants proof.
How a title bond gets you registered
When you can’t prove ownership with a title, the DMV accepts a surety bond instead. The bond protects any previous owner or lienholder who might later come forward with a valid claim — which lets the state safely issue a new title in your name.
Most states set the bond amount at 1.5 to 2 times the vehicle’s appraised value. The bonded title usually functions like a regular title immediately, and the “bonded” notation clears after a statutory period (commonly 3–5 years) if no claims arise.
- Small bonds (under $6,000) are usually issued instantly at a flat premium — often around $150
- No credit check for most small title bonds
- We'll help you confirm your state's exact requirements
1. Tell us about the vehicle
Year, make, model, VIN, and how you came to own it — the application takes about four minutes.
2. We issue the bond
Most title bonds are issued the same day at a flat premium, with the bond form your state requires.
3. File with your DMV
Submit the bond with your title application. The state issues a bonded title in your name and you're on the road.
FREE ESTIMATE — NO CONTACT INFO REQUIRED
Calculate Your Required Bond Amount
Title bond FAQs
Small title bonds — which cover most everyday vehicles — are typically a flat premium of around $150, issued without a credit check. Larger bond amounts are priced as a percentage of the bond, usually 1–3%.
Most states require 1.5–2× the vehicle’s appraised value; your DMV paperwork will state the exact figure and any appraisal requirements. If you’re unsure, start the application with your best estimate and we’ll confirm it before issuing.
Most do, but a handful don’t, and the rules vary — waiting periods, appraisal forms, and eligibility differ by state. Tell us where you’re titling the vehicle and we’ll confirm the exact process before you pay anything.
Typically 3–5 years, matching your state’s claim period. If no one comes forward with a superior ownership claim during that time, the “bonded” notation is removed and your title becomes a standard title.
That’s exactly what the bond is for — a valid claimant can recover against the bond up to its amount. As the bond’s principal, you would be responsible for reimbursing the surety, so it’s important that your ownership story and documents are accurate.
Looking for a different bond?
Explore license & permit bonds, contract bonds, court bonds, probate bonds, fidelity & crime coverage — or browse all bond types.
Get your bonded title moving today.
The application takes about four minutes, and most title bonds are issued the same business day — so your next DMV trip is your last one.
