Has a judge issued you a court order for your car title? Whether you’ve been through the court order title process, probate, or other process, you may be wondering what to do next. Courts often offer limited guidance once the order is issued, leaving you to determine how to turn the court order into a car title. In this blog, we’ll discuss the general next steps after receiving a court order for your car title.
What does the court order do?
The court order for your car title is essentially a way to go over the DMV’s head. It basically tells the DMV that despite the lack of traditional proof of ownership (i.e., the prior title certificate), this vehicle rightfully belongs to you, and the county court system agrees. Once a court order is issued, the DMV is required to fulfill the obligations.
Step 1: Gather the required documents
Along with the court order directing the DMV to issue a new title in your name, gather the following items:
- Your state’s new title application
- Your driver’s license
- Proof of insurance
- Proof of inspection (varies by state)
- Fees for title & registration (varies by state)
State new title application
Most states provide a downloadable PDF copy of its new title application from their DMV or county clerk’s website. Some states, such as Illinois, have electronic title applications, while others, such as Pennsylvania, have paper applications that can only be completed in the presence of a DMV agent. Before moving to the next steps, ensure you understand your state’s requirements.
Proof of insurance
All vehicles that will be used on public roadways must be insured. Depending on your year of vehicle, your state may have different insurance requirements. Check with your state before proceeding.
Proof in inspection
Depending on the year of your vehicle and your state’s laws, you may be required to obtain an inspection for smog or other emissions. Check with your state before proceeding.
Step 2: Visit the DMV or title issuing office
After you’ve gathered the documents from step one, visit your county’s DMV office or other title-issuing office to get a new title. When it’s your turn at the window, present all the documents to the agent or county clerk. After reviewing the court order and the corresponding documents, the agent or clerk will issue you a new title according to the order by the court.
Each county in the US has its own court order title process; however, most will follow this procedure after issuing a court order for a car title. The court order title process is a very powerful legal tool available to get a title for a vehicle that is missing the proper paperwork. For assistance filing your court order for a car title, our Title Experts at CourtOrderedTitle.com are ready to help. Get in touch with us today to learn more.
The Solution for Your Court-Ordered Title
Need a court-ordered title transfer? CourtOrderedTitle.com provides everything you need to file your paperwork and get your court-ordered vehicle title.
