Replacing a lost car title in Virginia is a procedure that vehicle owners must perform when their current credentials get lost, illegible or mutilated. Motorists may request their replacement title through the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) as soon as they notice that their current credential is invalid.

Since a car title is a document that may serve as proof of ownership of the motor vehicle, owners are encouraged to keep it in a safe place in order to avoid losing it. However, drivers need to replace a lost car title at the DMV in VA by providing the required documentation and payment for the applicable fees. To find out more information, continue reading the sections below.

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

Vehicle owners need to replace a lost car title at the DMV in Virginia when they realize that their credentials are lost, mutilated or illegible. Moreover, motorists must request a replacement car title when they need a valid proof of ownership of their motor vehicles for various situations. Therefore, applicants need to learn the available methods for replacing an illegible, lost or severely damaged title and find out the required paperwork that they must submit to the VA DMV.

Note: Instead of replacing their car title, motorists who want to change the information on the title certificate need to apply for a substitute title.

Documents Required When Applying for a Virginia Car Title Copy

When requesting a replacement cat titles in Virginia, motorists need to present certain documentation to the VA DMV in order to obtain a duplicate title. Drivers who want to replace a lost car title at the DMV need to present the following documents:

• A current car registration card
• A valid driver’s license or ID card
• A completed title application form
• A certified or notarized death certificate (if the owner is deceased) along with one of the following:
  • A copy of the will and a completed Authority to Transfer Virginia Title Certification (form VSA 24)
  • A court-issued document or a copy of the will
  • A completed VSA 24 form as proof of legal heir
  • An affidavit that the estate of the deceased person is in accordance with small estate laws

However, the documents are only required when motorists replace a lost car title in person at a nearby DMV location. When completing the process online, applicants need to provide the online service with only specific details. To find out more information about the available methods for replacing a mutilated, illegible or lost car title in Virginia, continue reading the details below.

Available Methods for Replacing Your Car Title in Virginia

To request a replacement car title in Virginia, vehicle owners need to become familiar with the available replacement methods offered by the VA DMV. Motorists may choose whether to complete an application online, by mail, or in person at a local DMV title office. Each method has different requirements for replacing a lost or damaged car title that every applicant must satisfy in order to obtain a duplicate credential.

How to Replace a Car Title Online

Motorists may replace a car title online in Virginia via the online service offered at the VA DMV website. In order to begin the online replacement procedure, applicants need to login into the online service by providing a driver’s license number or a social security number (SSN) and date of birth. After that, motorists who are dealing with lost car titles need to follow the steps of the online service in order to complete the procedure for obtaining a duplicate title.

How to Replace a Car Title in Person

Drivers may also replace a lost car title in person at a nearby VA DMV branch when they need to obtain a replacement credential. In order to perform a procedure of replacing a lost car title at the DMV, applicants need to provide the mandatory documentation and payment for the applicable fees. Note that you may be required to submit additional documentation when replacing a lost car title for a vehicle whose owner is deceased.

How to Replace a Car Title by Mail

Drivers may be also allowed to replace their car title by mail by completing the title application form and mailing it to the VA DMV along with payment for the applicable fees. However, applicants who are wondering how to replace a vehicle title via mail are encouraged to contact the VA DMV beforehand in order to find out whether they need to mail additional documentation and whether there are additional requirements that must be satisfied.

How to Fill out the Duplicate Car Title Application in Virginia

To replace a lost car title at the DMV, applicants need to complete the following sections of the required form:

• Motor vehicle owner’s information
• Motor vehicle information
• Current lien information
• Replacement title certificate
• Substitute title certificate, if making changes on the title
• Authorized representative designation, when another person is submitting the form

Once motorists complete the application form, they need to finalize the lost car title replacement procedure by submitting the form to the VA DMV along with payment for the applicable fees.

Car Title Replacement Fees

Motorists who have learned how to apply for a car title replacement need to pay the applicable replacement fee of $15 in addition to turning in the appropriate paper work. Take note that vehicle owners who use the online method through the VA DMV website will save $1 when paying the applicable fees.

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