What you need to do to replace a lost title in Texas

To replace a lost car title in Texas, you submit Form VTR-130 (process for Duplicate or Replacement Title) to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You can mail it, deliver it in person to a DMV office, or use an online service called eTitles if your vehicle meets certain requirements. The process takes about two weeks by mail, though in-person submission at a DMV office is faster. You will need to pay a fee, which varies depending on how you submit the form and whether your vehicle is financed.

The state does not mail replacement titles automatically — you have to request one. If your title was lost, stolen, or damaged, Texas treats all three situations the same way: you file the same form and follow the same steps.

Key Takeaways

  • You must complete Form VTR-130 and submit it to the Texas DMV by mail, in person, or through eTitles online.
  • You need your vehicle identification number (VIN), current registration, and proof of ownership to submit the form.
  • The fee for a replacement title is $20 if you submit by mail or in person, or $25 if you use an online service.
  • Processing takes about two weeks by mail or same-day if you go to a DMV office in person.
  • If your vehicle is financed, the lienholder (usually your bank or credit union) must sign off on the replacement title.

Gathering the documents and information you will need

Before you fill out Form VTR-130, collect your vehicle identification number (VIN) — you can find this on your registration, insurance card, or the dashboard on the driver's side of the windshield. You will also need your current vehicle registration and a form of identification such as a driver's license or passport.

If someone else owns the vehicle with you, or if the title is held by a lienholder (a bank or credit union that financed the car), that party must sign the form. If you are the sole owner and the vehicle is paid off, you sign alone. If the vehicle is financed, contact your lienholder and ask them to sign the form before you submit it — the DMV will not process the process without their signature.

You do not need to provide proof that the title was lost, stolen, or damaged. The DMV does not require a police report or an affidavit explaining what happened to the original title.

How to submit Form VTR-130 by mail

read Form VTR-130 from the Texas DMV website or request a copy by phone at 888-368-4689. Fill in all required fields: your name and address, the vehicle's VIN, make, model, and year, and your signature. If the vehicle is financed, the lienholder must also sign the form.

Mail the completed form along with a check or money order for $20 to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, 4000 Jackson Avenue, Austin, TX 78731. Do not send cash. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you want the new title mailed back to you at a specific address other than the one on your registration. Processing takes about two weeks from the date the DMV receives your form.

Keep a copy of the form and your payment receipt for your records. If you do not receive your replacement title within three weeks, contact the DMV at 888-368-4689 to check the status.

Submitting in person at a Texas DMV office

Visit any Texas DMV office with your completed Form VTR-130, your identification, your current registration, and $20 in cash or card payment. Bring the original vehicle title if you still have it, even if it is damaged — the DMV will take it and issue the replacement. If the vehicle is financed, the lienholder must sign the form before you arrive, or you can ask the DMV office whether they can contact the lienholder on your behalf.

Processing is same-day at most offices, meaning you can receive your replacement title before you leave. Some busy offices may ask you to return the next day. Call ahead to your local DMV office to confirm their hours and whether they are accepting walk-ins, since some offices require appointments.

Find your nearest DMV office and its hours on the Texas DMV website or by calling 888-368-4689.

Using eTitles for online submission

If your vehicle was manufactured in 1995 or later and is not financed, you may be able to use eTitles, the Texas DMV's online system. Visit the eTitles website, create an account, and upload a photo of your driver's license and vehicle registration. The system will verify your information and allow you to pay the $25 fee by credit or debit card.

eTitles processes most requests within two to three business days and mails the replacement title to the address on file. You do not need to print or mail any forms. However, if your vehicle is financed or was manufactured before 1995, you cannot use eTitles — you must submit Form VTR-130 by mail or in person instead.

What happens if your vehicle is financed

When a bank or credit union finances your car, they hold the title as a lienholder until you pay off the loan. To get a replacement title, the lienholder must authorize it. Contact your lender and explain that you need a replacement title. Ask them to sign Form VTR-130 or to provide written authorization that you can include with your process.

Some lenders will mail you a signed form; others will ask you to pick it up in person or will fax it to you. Once you have the signed form, submit it to the DMV along with your own signature. The replacement title will show the lienholder's name, just as the original did. You cannot remove the lienholder's name until the loan is paid off and you request a title transfer.

If you cannot reach your lienholder or they refuse to sign, contact the Texas DMV at 888-368-4689 to ask about your options. In some cases, the DMV can contact the lienholder directly.

Fees and payment methods

The fee for a replacement title is $20 if you submit by mail or in person at a DMV office. If you use eTitles, the fee is $25. These are the only fees charged by the state; no additional charges explore.

By mail, send a check or money order payable to "Texas Department of Motor Vehicles." In person, most DMV offices accept cash, check, or card payment. eTitles accepts credit and debit cards only. Do not send cash by mail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a replacement title in Texas?

By mail, allow two to three weeks from the date the DMV receives your form. In person at a DMV office, you usually receive it the same day. eTitles takes two to three business days, and the title is mailed to you.

Can I drive my car while waiting for the replacement title?

Yes. Your current registration is proof of ownership and is valid for driving. You only need the title if you sell the vehicle, trade it in, or transfer ownership to someone else.

What if I lost the title and the registration at the same time?

You will need to replace both. Start with a replacement registration at your local county tax assessor's office, then submit Form VTR-130 for the title. The tax assessor can tell you what documents you need to bring.

Do I need a notarized signature on Form VTR-130?

No. Your signature and the lienholder's signature (if applicable) do not need to be notarized. A regular signature is sufficient.

What if the DMV says my vehicle information does not match their records?

Contact the DMV at 888-368-4689 before submitting your form. Mismatches sometimes occur if the VIN was entered incorrectly on the original title or if the vehicle was previously registered in another state. The DMV can help you correct the records before you explore for the replacement.