Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn in my damaged car title?
Yes, a damaged or defaced car title must accompany the application when applying for a duplicate car title. Residents can apply for a car title replacement with the WV DMV either in person or by mail.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

How do I file a police report if my car title was stolen?
Immediately, report a lost or stolen car titleto the West Virginia State Police. To file a police report, visit a station and provide the officer with your driver s license and car registration information.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

How do I obtain a duplicate car title?
Drivers who have had their original car title stolen, destroyed, or lost need to request a car title replacement. In order to obtain a car title replacement, applicants must fill out an Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft and submit it to the West Virginia DMV along with a copy of their driver s license, car registration card and the duplicate title fee.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

How do I obtain a salvaged car title?
Drivers looking to repair a car must firstapply for a salvage car title. To do so, you must provide the following documentation to the West Virginia DMV:

Make a copy of all of the required documents and submit them to the DMV either by mail or in person at a DMV office.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

How do I transfer my car title between states?
Vehicles purchased outside the state of West Virginia must undergo a car title transfer in order to qualify for a car registration. To complete this process, the vehicle owner should submit the following documents:

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

How do I transfer my car title if I lost the original?
Before a transfer of title can be carried out, a vehicle owner must submit a request for a duplicate title to the West Virginia DMV. To request a duplicate title, you must complete an Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft and submit it to the DMV along with the $10 title fee. Fees are subject to change.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

How do I transfer my car title?
When buying or selling a car, drivers must transfer the car title of ownership in order to initiate the transaction. Below are the procedures to follow whentransferring car titles of new and used vehicles:

In order to transfer car titles for a new vehicle you ve purchased, you must:

In order to transfer car titles for a used vehicle you ve purchased, you must:

  • Provide the original car title, signed over to the purchaser.
  • Provide the odometer disclosure, for vehicles less than 10 years old.
  • Pay the car title feeand titling sales taxpayment.
  • Provide a notarized Bill of Sale, if the vehicle was purchased 50 percent below the market value.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

How do I transfer the title of my RV?
To perform a transfer of title for an RV, drivers must follow the same process outlined in transferring the title of an automobile:

In order to transfer car titles for a new RV you ve purchased, you must:

In order to transfer car titles for a used RV you ve purchased, you must:

  • Provide the original car title, signed over to the purchaser.
  • Provide the odometer disclosure, for vehicles less than 10 years old.
  • Pay the car title fee and titling sales tax payment.
  • Provide a notarized Bill of Sale, if the vehicle was purchased 50 percent below the market value.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

How long does it take to receive my replacement car title after ordering online?
Replacing car titles can only be carried out by mail or in-person at the DMV office. In either case, the applicant should allow sufficient time for processing of their application. To find out the time frame in which you can expect your title to arrive, call the processing and receiving office of the West Virginia DMV at 1-800-642-9066.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

If a family member dies and leaves his or her car to me, how do I switch over the title?
When a car registrant dies, the surviving spouse or legal heir must transfer the car titleto their name. To do so, the surviving family member must submit the following documents to the WV DMV:
  • The Certificate of Title, with the surviving family member named as the purchaser
  • The odometer disclosure info
  • Auto insurance information
  • The car registration card

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

What are some reasons that may require me to transfer my car title?
Three of the most common reasons a vehicle owner will need to complete a title transfer are to:
  • Buy a new car.
  • Buy or sell a used car.
  • Award a vehicle upon the death of a family member.
  • Award a vehicle in a divorce settlement.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

What are the required fees to get a replacement car title?
The fee to replace car titles is $10. Fees subject to change.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

What documents do I need to present for a replacement car title?
To get a car title replacement, you must send photocopies of the required documents to the West Virginia DMV by mail or present them on location at a DMV office:

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

What documents do I need to transfer my car title?
The documents needed to perform a car title transfer differ depending on whether the vehicle was bought new or used:

New car purchase:

Used car purchase:

  • Completed Certificate of Title signed over to the purchaser
  • Odometer disclosure, for vehicles less than 10 years old
  • Notarized Bill of Sale, if the vehicle was purchased 50 percent below market value
  • Application for Certificate of Title for a vehicle purchased out of state

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

What forms must I fill out for a duplicate car title?
To request a car title replacement, applicants must complete and sign an Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft application form. This form may be submitted either by mail or in-person at a West Virginia DMV office location.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

What if the original is located after my car title replacement has been issued?
If the original is located, the driver should contact the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles receiving and processing center to return the car title replacement at 1-800-642-9066.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

What is the process to get a title for a scooter or motorcycle?
The process to get car titles for scooters, mopeds and motorcycles is the same as it is for all motor vehicles in West Virginia.

To obtain a vehicle title for a new motorcycle you ve purchased, you must:

To obtain a vehicle title for a used motorcycle you ve purchased, you must:

  • Provide a completed Certificate of Title signed over to the purchaser.
  • Pay the title fee and titling sales tax.
  • Provide a notarized Bill of Sale, if the motorcycle was purchased 50 percent below market value.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

When should I complete a Bill of Sale?
Drivers will need to complete a car title bill of sale if they are buying or selling a used vehicle that is priced below 50 percent of the NADA Clean Loan Book value. Bill of Sale documents must be notarized and accompanied by copies of both the buyer and the seller s drivers license.

For more information: Title Transfers or obtaining a New Certificate of Title in West Virginia

Where can I mail my request for a replacement title?
Car title replacement requests should be mailed to:

Receiving and Processing

P.O. Box 17710

Charleston, WV 25317

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia

Will I need to present proof of insurance to get a car title replacement?
No, an applicant is not required to present proof of car insurance in order to obtain a duplicate car title in West Virginia. Applicants must however submit a copy of their drivers license and car registration card along with an Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in West Virginia