Frequently Asked Questions

Keep in mind that the MVC imposes fines and penalties to drivers who request a duplicate car title while knowingly having the original title in their possession. To avoid paying a fine or being the victim of identity theft or fraudulent activity involving your NJ car title, turn in your damaged/mutilated pink slip to the New Jersey DMV.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

1. Make sure the lien holder has the NJ corporation code as you cannot complete the title transfer without it.
2. Visit a MVC office and complete the title release application.
3. Mail the title release application to the lien holder. Once the lien holder signs off on the transfer, re-visit your MVC location and provide a completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-7) and pay the applicable title transfer fee.
4. Complete a sales tax form, unless you have bought the vehicle outside of New Jersey or you were not an NJ resident when you purchased the car.

Your NJ certificate of title will remain with your lien holder until you obtain a lien release.

After the lien on your vehicle has been paid and the lien holder sends the required paperwork to the NJ DMV, you will receive a car title with a signature of release. If you do not want your car title to show the lien release you can apply for a clean title by submitting the pink slip with the lien release stamp and pay the $85 title transfer fee either by mail or in person.

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

However, it is highly suggested to contact a local police department and report your lost vehicle title or stolen pink slip. This will protect you against possible identity theft or fraudulent activity involving your New Jersey vehicle title.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

• A completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-52)
• Current vehicle registration card
• Proof of New Jersey auto insurance

A different procedure applies to replace a damaged car title. In this case, drivers are required to provide the following documents:

• A written statement that includes:
  • The reason for the damage to the original vehicle title.
  • Your name and address.
  • Your vehicle description, including the make, model and VIN.
• The damaged certificate of title

In both cases, you must also provide payment for the $60 car title replacement fee.

You can submit the request in person at your local NJ DMV or send it by mail.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

To apply for a salvage vehicle title in NJ, submit the following documents to an NJ MVC:

• A NJ certificate of title, properly assigned to your car insurance company
• Payment for the titling fee
• A completed Insurance listing sheet (BA-28), as well as a statement from the auto insurance company explaining how the car was acquired

After the completion of this procedure, the vehicle must undergo a vehicle inspection before being operated on NJ state roads.

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

If there is no lien on your vehicle of title, you must transfer car title in person at a NJ DMV location and present your current vehicle title, a completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-7) and the applicable car title transfer fee. You will also be required to complete a sales tax form, unless you have bought the vehicle outside of New Jersey or you were not an NJ resident when you purchased the car.

Additional documentation is needed if you are transferring car title to NJ from a state that does not require vehicle titles. Follow the steps provided to complete the car title transfer in this particular case:

1. Visit a MVC location near you.
2. Present the vehicle registration.
3. Submit a completed Bill of Sale.
4. Submit a completed VIN Verification Statement (Form ISM/SS-321).
5. Submit a copy of your drivers license.
6. Submit a completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-7).
7. Pay the car title transfer fee.

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

• Completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-7)
• Your vehicle registration card or proof of NJ auto insurance
• A statement from the lien holder, if applicable
• Payment for the required replacement title fee

You can also mail the paperwork and payment to the address printed on the form.

If you do not have a certificate of title because you are transferring car title to NJ from a state that does not require vehicle titles, follow the steps provided to complete the car title transfer:

1. Visit a MVC location near you
2. Present the vehicle registration
3. A completed Bill of Sale
4. A VIN Verification Statement (Form ISM/SS-321)
5. A copy of your drivers license
6. A completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-7)
7. Pay the car title transfer fee

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

To transfer a car title if you are selling a car, follow these steps:

1. Remove the license plates of the vehicle and turn them in to the NJ DMV
2. Complete the back of the title with the following information

• Buyer s details
• Date of sale
• Odometer reading
• Sale price (If you are gifting the vehicle, use the word “Gift” instead)

If you have recently purchased a vehicle in New Jersey, you must perform a transfer of title with the NJ MVC by:

• Visiting your local MVC office.

• Providing the certificate of title, properly assigned with your signature and drivers license number.
• Presenting proof of New Jersey car insurance.
• Paying the title transfer fee.

Note that while you are transferring a car title, you can also register your vehicle. Drivers are required to transfer a car title within 10 business days from the date of sale or purchase, otherwise a penalty fee of $25 will be charged.

If you have inherited a vehicle in NJ, you have 30 days to request a car title transfer with the NJ DMV. To do so, you must:

• Present the certificate of title.
• Submit a copy of the death certificate, if you are a surviving spouse and the vehicle is titled in both names.
• Present a completed Affidavit (Form BA-62) from the surviving spouse, if the vehicle is titled in both names.
• Submit a Surrogate’s Short Certificate, if the vehicle is left to an heir and not a surviving spouse.
• Pay the applicable titling and registration fees.

Note that if you have a leased vehicle, you must submit a Power of Attorney from your leasing company, in addition to the completed Application for Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-7) and payment for the titling and registration fees.

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

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

Allow the DMV some time to process your payment and application. However, if you still not have received your NJ vehicle title replacement after considerable time has passed, contact the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

• The certificate of title
• A copy of the death certificate, if you are a surviving spouse and the vehicle is titled in both names
• A completed Affidavit (Form BA-62) from the surviving spouse, if the vehicle is titled in both names
• A Surrogate’s Short Certificate, if the vehicle is left to an heir and not a surviving spouse;
• Payment for applicable titling and registration fees

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

• Selling or purchasing a new /used vehicle
• Gifting or receiving a vehicle as a gift or donation
• Inheriting a vehicle
• Changing ownership of the vehicle between family members
• Changing the name of the vehicle owner

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

Note that even though the duplicate car title fee is regulated by law, the MVC might still impose a fine if a driver attempts to replace car title while still in possession of a legible and valid NJ certificate of title.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

• A completed Application for Duplicate Certificate of Ownership (Form OS/SS-52)
• Current vehicle registration card
• Proof of New Jersey auto insurance

Different documents are required to replace a damaged car title. In this case you are required to provide the following:

• A written statement that includes:
  • The reason for the damage to the original vehicle title.
  • Your name and address.
  • Your vehicle description, including the make, model and VIN.
• The damaged certificate of title

In both cases, you must also provide payment for the $60 car title replacement fee.

You can submit the documents in person a nearby MVC office or mail them to the following address:

State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Special Title Section/Duplicate Titles P.O. Box 017 Trenton, NJ 08666

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

• A Certificate of Title, which must contain the following information:
  • Buyer s details
  • Signature of the seller
  • Odometer reading
  • The buyer s drivers license number
  • Date of sale
  • Sale price (or the word “Gift” if you are gifting the vehicle)

• Proof of New Jersey auto insurance
• A copy of the death certificate, if you are a surviving spouse transferring pink slip titled in both names.

• A completed Affidavit (Form BA-62) from the surviving spouse, if the vehicle is titled in both names.
• A Surrogate’s Short Certificate, if the vehicle is left to an heir and not a surviving spouse.

Keep in mind that you can register your vehicle at the same time with the car title transfer. You must also provide payment for the applicable registration and titling fees.

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

If you have damaged your certificate of title, you need to present a written statement that includes your personal and vehicle information as well as the reason for the damage to the New Jersey car title.

You can submit the forms in person at your local DMV or send the application by mail to the NJ MVC.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

• Proof of New Jersey auto insurance
• A Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin (MSO or MCO) or a notarized Bill of Sale from the previous owner
• Payment for the applicable titling and registration fees

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

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

State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Special Title Section/Duplicate Titles P.O. Box 017 Trenton, NJ 08666

When applying for a duplicate vehicle title, make sure to include payment for the $60 car title copy fee in the form of check or money order made out to the MVC.

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey

For more information: How to Replace a Lost Vehicle Title in New Jersey