Frequently Asked Questions

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to turn in my damaged car title?
Wisconsin residents requested a car title replacement due to a damaged car title will receive the duplicate car title either immediately (if applying in person) or within 10 business days (if applying online or by mail). Residents with a damaged car title should take care when discarding the document to avoid any potential identity theft issues.

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

How do I file a police report if my car title was stolen?
Wisconsin residents dealing with a stolen car title are urged to file a police report at a local law enforcement agency. Filing a police report gives residents a record of the theft, which can be used in the event that an ownership dispute arises due to the stolen car title. Additionally, presenting the police report gives DMV officials the chance to make note of the theft.

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

How do I obtain a duplicate car title?
Wisconsin residents with lost or stolen car titles can obtain a duplicate car title through the Wisconsin Department of Transportation (DOT). Drivers wishing to purchase a duplicate car title can do so either online, by mail or in person at a local WI DMV office.

To apply for a duplicate car title online, visit the Online Replacement Tile Application. The duplicate title application fee is $20 (fees may vary). There is also an added convenience fee for credit card transactions.

To apply for a duplicate car title by mail or in person, Wisconsin drivers must obtain a Car Title Replacement Application, print and fill it out. From there, drivers who wish to apply in person can bring the application and $20 application fee and $5 counter service fee to a local WI DMV office. Credit and debit cards will be charged a convenience fee.

The Car Title Replacement Application can also be mailed with a check or money order for $20 to:

WI Dept. of Transportation

PO Box 7949

Madison, WI 53707-7949

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

How do I obtain a salvaged car title?
Wisconsin residents with a salvaged vehicle who would like to obtain a salvaged car title must have the vehicle inspected before a title is issued. Vehicle inspections are made to ensure that the vehicle and all its parts were obtained legally and are safe to operate. To find the closest vehicle inspection agency, check the Salvage Vehicle Inspecting Agency List.

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

How do I transfer my car title between states?
Recently transplanted residents of Wisconsin can request a car title transfer from their previous state to Wisconsin by visiting a local WI DMV office and filling out a License Plate Application. Drivers will also need to provide proof of residency to the local DMV. Car title transfers are required within 30 days of moving to Wisconsin. Vehicles may also require emissions inspections and proof of insurance before a Wisconsin car title transfer and registration can be issued.

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

How do I transfer my car title if I lost the original?
Wisconsin residents who have lost a car title and would like to initiate a car title transfer must first get a replacement car title for their vehicle. To do so, fill out a Replacement Title Request form online. Residents can also print and complete a Replacement Title Application and submit it in person at a local WI DMV office or by mail to:

WI Dept. of Transportation PO Box 7949 Madison, WI 53707-7949

Once a replacement title has been received, residents can go through the car title transfer process using the replacement title as proof of ownership.

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

How do I transfer my car title?
Wisconsin residents who would like to transfer car titles must go through the car title transfer process with the Wisconsin DMV. Residents may apply to transfer titles either online or in person. To apply for a car title transfer online, residents should complete the Online Wisconsin Title Application. To apply for a car title transfer in person, residents should print and complete a License Plate Application and bring it to a local WI DMV office. Additionally, residents should bring the following documents:
  • Current identification
  • License plate to transfer
  • $69.50 Car Title Transfer fee (fees may vary) plus sales tax

Transactions made at the local WI DMV office are also subject to a $5 counter service fee.

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

How do I transfer the title of my RV?
Wisconsin residents with a recreational vehicle who would like to initiate a car title transfer can do so through the Wisconsin Department of Safety and Professional Services. To transfer titles of RVs, residents should complete a Wisconsin Manufactured Home Certificate of Title Application. The completed application and $23 transfer title fee should be mailed to the following address (fees may vary):

State of Wisconsin

Department ofSafety & Professional Services- Manufactured Homes

P.O. Box 8935

Madison, WI 53708-8935

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

How long does it take to receive my replacement car title after ordering online?
Wisconsin residents applying for duplicate car titles can do so by visiting the Online Replacement Title Application. Once the application and application fee have been submitted, there are no cancellations or refunds. Duplicate car titles should arrive within ten business days. If the duplicate car title hasn t arrived in that time, residents can check the status by visiting the Title Search application or calling the Wisconsin DMV at 608-266-1466.

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

If a family member dies and leaves his or her car to me, how do I switch over the title?
Wisconsin residents who have recently experienced a death in the family may have inherited vehicles as a result. Residents with an inherited vehicle must complete a car title transfer from the original owner s name to their own name. To complete an inherited vehicle car title transfer, residents should submit the following documents either by mail or in person at a local WI DMV office:

Death certificates are only required in the event that the deceased lived in Wisconsin at the time of their death.

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

What are some reasons that may require me to transfer my car title?
There are a few situations in which Wisconsin residents will need a car title transfer, namely all instances where the vehicle is changing ownership. Any vehicles purchased either in-state or out-of-state must have a transfer of title from the former owner to the new owner. Likewise, all vehicles received as a gift require a car title transfer. Vehicles inherited after the death of a spouse or family member will also require a car title transfer.

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

What are the required fees to get a replacement car title?
For every method of getting car title copies, there is the $20 Car Title Replacement application fee (fees may vary). For online and in-person application submissions where the fee is paid by debit or credit card, there is an added convenience fee. Drivers obtaining a duplicate car title in person will also be charged a $5 counter service fee. There are no added fees for mailing in car title replacement applications.

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

What documents do I need to present for a replacement car title?
Wisconsin residents applying for car title replacements must provide a few documents to receive their duplicate car title. Required documents include:
  • A completed Car Title Replacement Application
  • Wisconsin drivers license
  • Valid email address
  • Social Security Number
  • Date of birth
  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • $20 application fee (fees may vary; convenience fee added for all debit/credit card transactions)

When applying in person, drivers should also bring proof of identity. If anybody but the owner or lien holder is picking up the duplicate car title, they must also have a complete Permission to Pick Up Title form MV2932 with them.

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

What documents do I need to transfer my car title?
Wisconsin residents applying for a car title transfer can do so online through the Online Wisconsin Title Application.Residents applying for car title transfers in person are required to have a few documents, including:
  • A completed and signed License Plate Application
  • Current identification
  • License plate to transfer
  • $69.50 Car Title Transfer fee (fees may vary)

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

What forms must I fill out for a duplicate car title?
The forms necessary to obtain a duplicate car title in Wisconsin depend on the specific circumstances of the driver. All car title replacement inquiries require a completed Car Title Replacement Application, along with the $20 fee (fees may vary). The car title replacement application can be submitted online, by mail or in person at a local WI DMV office. Additionally, if anybody is picking up the title who is not the owner or lien-holder of the vehicle, they must fill out and submit a Permission to Pick Up Title form MV2932.

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

What if the original is located after my car title replacement has been issued?
If the original lost car title is found, residents should hold on to the original copy as a precautionary measure. It will not be considered the true car title though. Once the request for a car title replacement was made, the original pink slip details were made void. Therefore, you can keep it in for your records, however cannot use it for official motor-vehicle related matters.

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

What is the process to get a title for a scooter or motorcycle?
Wisconsin residents looking to obtain a title for their motorcyclehave a similar process to obtaining an automobile title. Drivers should first fill out the License Plate Application. Residents can then bring the completed application, the $23 license plate fee and $69.50 title fee to a local WI DMV office. Wisconsin motorcycle license plates are valid for two years and expire in April of even numbered years.

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

When should I complete a Bill of Sale?
Wisconsin residents selling a vehicle should complete a Bill of Sale form MV2459 to transfer ownership of a vehicle in certain situations, including:
  • Transfer from a registered owner to a salvage dealer (dealer must be licensed)
  • Transfer from one salvage dealer to another salvage dealer (dealers must be licensed)
  • Transfer from an insurance company after title has been surrendered to Wisconsin DOT

Owners must confirm before completing a bill of sale that there are no outstanding liens against the car, that the owner has the legal right to sell the car and the certificate of title has been lost, destroyed, or the car itself has been labeled “Junked.”

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

Where can I mail my request for a replacement title?
When applying for car title duplicates by mail, complete a Car Title Replacement Application. Send the completed application and $20 application fee (fees may vary) to:

WI Dept. of Transportation

PO Box 7949

Madison, WI 53707-7949

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

Will I need to present proof of insurance to get a car title replacement?
Wisconsin residents applying for a duplicate car title are required to show a few documents during the application process. However, proof of insurance is not necessary. For residents applying for a duplicate car title in person at a local WI DMV office, proof of identity must be provided.

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