Car titles are important because they are the legal documents that prove ownership of a vehicle. Titles are also used for RVs, boats, watercrafts, motorcycles, and other major motorized commodities. Some states use the term, “pink slips” for car titles, which are not the same thing as the cash for cars document a person receives when they are let go from employment. Anytime a person buys a car, whether new or used, they will receive the car title from their state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). If a person chooses to sell their vehicle, they would transfer the title over to the new owner.

So what happens if you lose the title? What if you never receive a title? Continue reading to learn your options for selling a car without a title.

No Title? No Problem.

Sometimes car titles get lost or even stolen, and other times they are never transferred over to the new owner. Regardless of why your title is missing, there are still ways to sell your car without it. Although having a car title can make the process easier, selling a vehicle without a title only requires a few extra steps.

Here’s what you can do:

You can declare your car title lost or stolen. All states have a procedure in place for car owners to apply for a duplicate title if it is lost or stolen. Learn your state’s process at your local BMV.

Some states have a process in place for car owners who wish to sell their vehicle to a private party. Learn if your state has these procedures at your local drivers’ license branch.