Vehicle owners can request a replacement car title in Wisconsin through the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of the state Department of Transportation (DOT) via several methods. Replacing a car title is important after a driver loses his or her title certificate because of its various general and official uses. For instance, without a title, vehicle owners will be unable to successfully complete the title transfer procedure after purchasing or selling a vehicle.

To get more information on how to replace a vehicle title in WI, read the sections outlined below.

When do you need to get a duplicate car title in Wisconsin?

Requesting a replacement car title in Wisconsin is a procedure that is available to motorists who have lost or damaged their titles rendering them invalid. The standard procedure to request a replacement vehicle title should also be completed by car owners whose title certificates were stolen.

Note that, while replacing a car title in WI is not mandated by state law, motorists who fail to do so will eventually encounter certain obstacles when conducting vehicle-related business. For example, drivers who are planning to use the motor vehicle to secure a loan will be unable to do so unless they have a valid certificate of title. Therefore, replacing a title as soon as you lose or damage it prevents any future inconveniences.

Documents Required When Applying for a Wisconsin Car Title Copy

To successfully replace a Wisconsin lost car title, applicants will be required to meet the requirements for replacing a lost or damaged car title set forth by the state DMV. An important requirement to request a car title replacement is submitting the necessary paperwork, which may vary depending on the applicant’s circumstances. Note that car owners who are replacing a vehicle title in WI via the internet will not be required to meet this requirement.

In a large number of cases, submitting the paper application is the only document necessary to obtain a replacement title. However, customers who choose to collect the title in person will also be required to submit proof of identity, such as a valid driving license.

If the customer is requesting a replacement on behalf of the owner or the lienholder, he or she will also have to submit a permission form when obtaining the title from the DMV. Learn whether or not other unique circumstances require the submission of additional paperwork by contacting the state DMV.

Available Methods for Replacing Your Car Title in Wisconsin

If you are wondering how to get a replacement car title in Wisconsin, note that the division offers the following application methods: online, by mail and in person. Depending on the method chosen to replace a lost car title with the DMV, applicants may be required to meet different requirements and complete different steps. The online procedure, for instance, does not include filling out the paper application form. Learn more about the different ways to request a car title replacement in the sections below.

How to Replace a Lost Car Title in Wisconsin Online

Completing the procedure to replace a car title online in Wisconsin is the fastest way to obtain a duplicate of a lost title. Drivers can request a replacement car title online through the DMV internet services section, accessible via the division’s website. However, prior to completing the process online, you must ensure that you meet the following requirements:

• You are a resident of Wisconsin.
• You are the registered vehicle owner.
• You have a valid checking or savings account or a debit or credit card.
• You have a driver’s license or an identification card.

To initiate the process to replace a vehicle title online, you will be required to enter your date of birth, vehicle identification number, driver’s license number and Social Security Number. During the subsequent steps, you will be prompted to enter additional information in order for the system to locate your records.

You will finalize the online procedure to replace a lost car title in WI once you submit the fee payment. Your newly manufactured duplicate title will arrive at your address on file within seven to 10 business days.

How to Replace a Lost Car Title in Wisconsin by Mail

The process to replace a car title by mail in Wisconsin is another convenient option for obtaining a title copy. Therefore, if you are unable to replace your car title online, or you prefer to utilize an alternative method, you can fill out the form and mail it to the department’s P.O. Box in Madison. Along with the request form for a lost title copy, customers will be required to send the fee payment and any other pertinent paperwork.

Note that replacing a car title that has a recorded lien is a process that can only be completed by the lienholder. In such cases, the vehicle owner will receive a Confirmation of Ownership and the vehicle title will be sent to the lienholder. Once the state DMV processes a request for a new title sent by mail, it generally manufactures the new title and mails it to the owner’s address or another address chosen by the owner.

How to Replace a Lost Car Title in Wisconsin in Person

Replacing a vehicle title in Wisconsin in person is an option that can always be utilized through any DMV customer service center offering titling services. The steps in the procedure to replace a lost car title in person are similar to those that apply for the mail-in method, outlined above. Therefore, to successfully request a title replacement through a DMV site, customers will be required to fill out the application and submit it along with the fee payment.

In order to pick up the document during the same title office visit, applicants will also be required to present their driver’s license or ID card. Otherwise, the duplicate title will be mailed to the address of the recorded vehicle owner or lienholder.

Note: If you are picking up the title on behalf of the car owner or a lienholder, you will also be required to submit an authorization form.

How to Fill out the Duplicate Car Title Application in Wisconsin

Car owners will successfully replace a lost car title with the DMV in Wisconsin only if they submit an application package that contains the proper fee payment and a request form that contains true and correct information. When completing the form for a lost auto title copy, applicants will be required to input the following types of data:

• The owner’s legal name, date of birth, address and Social Security Number or driving license number
• The vehicle identification number, license plate number, year, make, type and color
• Loan information (if adding a new lien)
• The vehicle owner’s signature, date of signature and an alternative mailing address (if the owner chooses to send the title to another individual)
• The lienholder’s information and signature (if the title is requested by a lending institution)

Note: If the title has a recorded co-owner, the joint owner will also be required to input his or her personal information and sign the title application form.

Wisconsin Car Title Replacement Fees

When learning how to apply for a car title replacement in Wisconsin, vehicle owners will be required to arrange payment for the applicable fees. Drivers wondering what are the fees to replace a lost car title must note that the cost will vary depending on their circumstances and the chosen application method. For instance, if you are replacing a car title in WI by mail without adding a lien, you will only be required to pay the standard $20 fee.

If you are adding a loan, on the other hand, you will have to pay an additional fee for each recorded lien. Also, the in-person and the online application methods require a service fee.

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