Is your vehicle missing its title certificate? Did the DMV tell you that you can’t get a new title because you don’t have the old title signed over to you? With over 22 different types of title recovery methods, it can be a challenging maze to navigate, but it doesn’t have to be. All 50 states accept one title recovery method and bypass the DMV to get the court to award you a new title; this method is the court-ordered title process. Don’t be intimidated by the name; a court-ordered title means that a judge in your county heard your case and decided that you are the rightful owner. The best part? Most of the time, you won’t need to step foot in the courtroom; most courts can perform this process out of the courtroom with the county clerk.
The court-ordered title process is performed at the county level. There are 3,600+ counties in the United States, each with its unique filing method. Oftentimes, one of the most challenging parts of the process is finding the proper paperwork for your county and state. Most county courts do not publicize on their website that they perform this type of case, not because it’s not preferred, but because it’s often an uncommon situation and court-ordered titles are considered to be the last resort of title recovery methods. Luckily, the title experts here at CourtOrderedTitle.com have researched county processes across all 50 states and have created the paperwork tailored for each of the 3,600+ counties.
What’s Included in a Court-Ordered Title Packet?
Each court-ordered title packet is researched and customized to meet the county and state requirements where you and the vehicle are located. Depending on the county and state, the documents may be slightly different or have different instructions. Typically, each court-ordered title packet from CourtOrderedTitle.com will include, but may not be limited to:
- County-specific instructions, step-by-step
- Petition for court-ordered vehicle title
- Affidavit of ownership
- Pre-filled DMV forms
- Sample letter to the prior owner
- Vehicle history report (last title state, salvage/junk brands, theft records, accident records, and more)
- NADA or comparable book value
- Any other documentation required by your county and state
We also will search for the prior owner and lien information, if available and applicable. If a prior owner and/or lienholder is located, we’ll contact them on your behalf to help speed up the process. Please note that as the applicant, you will likely also have to make an attempt to contact the prior owner and provide proof of mailing attempt.
What Happens After Receiving My Court-Ordered Title Packet?
Once you receive your court-ordered title packet by USPS priority mail, follow the instructions to complete any notarizations, inspections, and prior owner contact. In most states, after the prior owner has been notified and they have taken no action to get the vehicle back, you can proceed with the court to schedule a hearing with a judge or meet with the clerk of courts to award you a new title certificate in your name. It’s important to note that every county will be different and will have different steps and timelines for issuing a court-ordered title.
Can I Do a Court-Ordered Title Without a Lawyer?
You do not necessarily need a lawyer to help you file for a court-ordered title, but it may be wise to seek guidance from someone who understands the process. This is not legal advice. If you require legal advice, consult a lawyer licensed to practice law in your area. At any time, our title experts are available at our help desk to assist you in your filing process after receiving your packet. But remember, this is not legal advice.
A court-ordered title is a powerful method of title recovery that is available in all 50 states. Before proceeding with a court-ordered title, make sure you understand the requirements of the process in your county to ensure you follow the necessary steps and timelines. For assistance with filing for a court-ordered title, let our title experts help prepare your paperwork for a smooth and seamless filing process. We’ve seen it all, and we want to help you get the title you deserve. If it’s your car, you deserve a title.
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.
