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How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in Washington DC

Updated on Thu, 4/28/2011

You may apply for a duplicate vehicle title if your original title is lost or stolen. A vehicle with a missing title cannot be bought or sold, so owners must apply for and obtain a replacement before they can sell their vehicle.

WHAT YOU NEED WHEN APPLYING FOR A DUPLICATE/REPLACEMENT TITLE

  1. Complete the Application for Washington DC Duplicate Certificate of Title form signed by the owner/s.
  2. Valid identification of the owner/s which includes a DC driver's license or DC learner's permit or DC identification card. For applying by mail, include a copy of the same for each owner. For applicants who are not owners of the vehicle should provide a Vehicle Power of Attorney, copy of the owner's identification and copy of the applicant's identification.
  3. Vehicle identification which includes either a Vehicle Renewal Notice, Vehicle Registration, Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), DC Title Number or Vehicle Tag Number.
  4. If your title shows a lienholder, and now you want to apply for a duplicate title on your name, since you have paid off the lien, you must include the following documents:
    • A letter from the financing company stating that the lien has been paid-off.
    • Agreement of loan stamped as "paid" by the financial company and certified by an authorised party.
    • Have the financing company stamp the title with ‘lien release'.
  5. To replace an existing title and/or requesting a name or address change on the title, provide appropriate identification.
  6. If the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is incorrect on the title issued and you need to change it, you must submit a VIN correction from the District's inspection station or an out-of-state vehicle agency's VIN correction letter on its letterhead.
  7. If your original title is damaged or mutilated, you must return the original title when applying for a replacement.

FEES

Along with your application form and the other materials, you must pay a fee of $26. Cash, checks, money order or credit card (Visa, MasterCard and Discover card) are accepted.

SUBMITTING THE APPLICATION

You can submit the application and fees for a duplicate title at your local DC DMV office, or mail the package to: 
DC Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 90120,
Washington, DC, 20090.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION