Can I Sell A Car Without A Title?
You are going to need your title pretty much wherever you are. The title of a car is an extremely important document that ensures legal ownership of the vehicle. It is sometimes also referred to as a ‘pink slip.’ Different states have different rules for titles, for example; a small note is to use blue or black ink to sign your name on the title.
If there is a lienholder then the title must be signed by the lien holder listed on the title. Now you might be asking yourself what a lienholder actually is. Good question. The term means someone who leased the vehicle to you or has loaned you money to buy the vehicle. Typically a lienholder is a bank or financial corporation.
What is Plural Ownership? - How Can I Sell The Car Of A Deceased Person?
States such as Alaska and Alabama can have ‘Plural Ownership’. Whenever transferring a title with multiple owns will require the signature of every single owner of that car.
There are rare cases where a title owner of joint ownership is deceased then title can only be transferred with a copy of the death certificate. If it just an individual owner who passed away, then the title must be accompanied by a copy of the death certificate and legal documentation showing proof of Administrator, Executor, Surviving spouse, or Next of Kin.
There are also Title Transfer Fees. The amount you have to pay varies from state to state. In California, for example, you have to pay $20 to get your title transferred to someone else. Of course, taxes apply to this amount. The same cost is applied if you want to make a duplicate of the title.
What Other Paperwork Do I Need to Sell My Car?
You may also need your driver’s license. There are cases where a copy of your license is needed instead. Some pieces of information on your driver’s license such as your birthday and the driver’s license number also may not be needed depending on what state you live in.
The VIN or Vehicle Identification Number will be required in order to sell your car. The VIN is like the fingerprint to your car. No two cars in operation will ever have the same VIN unless there is some error. The VIN will be on the car itself on the driver’s side dashboard by the corner where the dashboard meets the windshield.
Always make sure the VIN for the vehicle is 17 characters long. If it isn’t, then the vehicle is was likely manufactured before 1981. In that case, the VIN for those vehicles range from 11 to 17 characters.
Do I Need My Registration to Sell My Car?
In the states Kentucky, Iowa, and Oklahoma you will also need your registration to sell your car. The key difference between registration and the actual title is that the registration shows that you have paid any fees or taxes due for the vehicle. Typically, upon receiving the title you will also get the registration done.
It’s good to have the title and registration, of course, for any state that you live in. Depending on where you are, you can still sell your car without a title but usually you won’t get nearly as much money since the yard or person buying it will have much more limited options as to what they do to with the car if it doesn’t have a title.
How to Sell My Car Online - How Does CarBrain Work?
You are going to need the title or a photocopy or scan of it, a copy of your license, the VIN. On the copy of your driver’s license you can cross out your birthday and license number, for your privacy. The steps are pretty simple with CarBrain. We know how complicated it can be to sell your car. If you have any questions about what you might need from where you are, you can go ahead and give CarBrain a call, text, or email and we will be happy to answer any questions or even give your a quote, free!
