State of Texas Certificate of Title - American Bank Note Specimen

State of Texas Certificate of Title to a motor vehicle specimen printed by American Bank Note Company.

The State of Texas Certificate of Title serves as the primary legal document establishing ownership of a motor vehicle within the state. Issued by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), this document contains crucial identifying information, including the vehicle’s year, make, body style, and 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It also records the current owner’s name and address, previous owner details, and the odometer reading at the time of the last sale to safeguard against fraud. Notably, Texas operates as a non-title-holding state for vehicles with outstanding loans. Consequently, the first lienholder typically retains possession of the title until the debt is fully settled.

To transfer ownership, the seller must sign the “Assignment of Title” section on the back of the certificate. In contrast, the buyer must submit an Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U) to their local county tax office within 30 days of the sale. This process necessitates the presentation of a government-issued photo ID, proof of insurance, and the payment of titling and registration fees. Should an original title be lost or destroyed, owners have the option to apply for a Certified Copy of Texas Title (Form VTR-34) for a nominal fee. This process can be conducted in person at a TxDMV Regional Service Center or via mail.