Lost car title? How to get a duplicate in every state
A lost car title is one of the easiest DMV problems to fix. You still own the car, and every state will print the owner on record a duplicate for one form, a photo ID and a fee. The fee runs from $4 online in Arizona to more than $100 in Oregon, which charges its full title fee, and most states sit between about $10 and $35. If a bank still holds a lien, or you bought the car without ever getting a title, the route changes, and both are covered below. Find your state in the table for the exact fee, the form and whether you can do it online.
Replacing a lost title, step by step
- Check that the title is really gone. If you financed the car, the lender may hold the title, or your state may keep it as an electronic title (ELT) until the loan is paid. In that case there is nothing to replace yet.
- Get the right form. Every state names it differently: MV-38O in Pennsylvania, MV-902 in New York, VR-018 in Maryland, VSD 190 in Illinois, REG 227 in California, VTR-34 in Texas. The table below lists each one.
- Bring ID and the vehicle details. A driver's license or state ID, the VIN, and the plate number. Some states want the form notarized, Missouri's Form 108 and Washington's mailed affidavit among them.
- Clear any lien first. If a loan is still recorded on the title, most states send the duplicate to the lienholder or need the lien release before printing it to you. Tennessee asks for proof every lien has been discharged.
- Pay the fee and wait. By mail it usually takes one to three weeks. Michigan prints an instant title for $20, Indiana sells a Speed Title for $25 more, Illinois expedites for $30 more and South Carolina does same-day in branch for $20 more.
Duplicate title fees by state
Checked on 2026-10-10 against each agency's own fee schedule or application. Each state name links to its title transfer page, where the rest of the title costs sit.
| State | Duplicate title fee | Form / where to apply | Online? | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $15 | Replacement title application through the Alabama Department of Revenue (ALDOR) | Yes | The $15 application fee is non-refundable. A paid-off electronic (ELT) title prints at no cost. Agency |
| Alaska | $15 | Application for Duplicate Title to the Alaska DMV, in person or by mail | No | Pay at any DMV office, or by check or money order payable to the State of Alaska if mailing. Agency |
| Arizona | $4 | Title Replacement on AZ MVD Now, or a Title and Registration Application by mail | Yes | Among the cheapest anywhere: $4 through the AZ MVD Now account. Agency |
| Arkansas | $10 | Application for Title or Replacement, to the Department of Finance and Administration | No | Checks are made payable to the Department of Finance and Administration. Agency |
| California | $27 to $28 | REG 227, Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title, or the DMV Virtual Office | Yes | DMV sources disagree by a dollar ($28 in the fee handbook, $27 in a 2025 DMV notice), so check the figure when you apply. A duplicate cancels the old title. Agency |
| Colorado | $8.20 | DR 2539A Duplicate Title Request, at a county office or through myDMV | Yes | A lien-release title is $7.20. Agency |
| Connecticut | $25 | H-6B, Application for Replacement Certificate of Title, by mail or at a DMV office | No | Selling without the title? Filing the H-6B in its place adds the same $25 at registration. Agency |
| Delaware | $50 | MV213, Application for Duplicate Title, to the Delaware DMV | No | You cannot add a new lien at the same time the duplicate is issued. Agency |
| District of Columbia | $30 | Duplicate title request at a DC DMV service center | No | The same $30 as a new title in the District. Agency |
| Florida | $75.25 | Application at a county tax collector office (FLHSMV) | No | FLHSMV prices a duplicate the same as a title transfer. Agency |
| Georgia | $8 | Replacement title for a lost or stolen title, through the county tag office | No | Far below Georgia's $18 original title fee. Agency |
| Hawaii | $5 to $10, by county | County motor vehicle office (titles are issued by each county) | No | $10 in the City and County of Honolulu (book through AlohaQ); $5 in Hawaii County, or $10 if a lienholder is also removed. Agency |
| Idaho | $14 | Duplicate Idaho Title Application, at the county assessor motor vehicle office or ITD | No | RUSH service adds $26. Counties may add a small fee of their own. Agency |
| Illinois | $50 | VSD 190, Application for Vehicle Transaction(s), to the Secretary of State | No | Expedited title service adds $30. Your reason for the duplicate goes on the form. Agency |
| Indiana | $15 | Online through myBMV, a BMV Connect kiosk, by mail or at a branch | Yes | A Speed Title adds $25. Agency |
| Iowa | $35 | Replacement title application to your county treasurer | No | Iowa's title fee is now $35; a few county pages still list the older $25, so check yours. Agency |
| Kansas | $10 | TR-720B, at the county treasurer | No | Kansas is an electronic title state. Johnson County and others take the form at the treasurer. Agency |
| Kentucky | $6 plus clerk and notary fees | TC 96-182 at your county clerk | No | The $6 state fee grows at the counter: Jefferson County, for example, charges $8 plus $2 per notarized signature. A speed title is $25. Agency |
| Louisiana | $68.50 plus handling | Duplicate title application to the Office of Motor Vehicles (OMV) or a public tag agent | No | The OMV charges its standard $68.50 title fee for a duplicate, plus a handling fee; public tag agents add their own convenience fee. Agency |
| Maine | $33 ($46 online) | Application for duplicate title to the BMV, or the Maine.gov online title replacement | Yes | Rush service by mail is $43. Agency |
| Maryland | $40 | VR-018, Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, to the MVA | No | The fee on the current form is $40, double the $20 older guides still quote. Agency |
| Massachusetts | $25 | Replacement title request to the RMV, online or by mail | Yes | Can also be handled at AAA locations offering RMV services. Agency |
| Michigan | $15 by mail, $20 instant | Online Services, or a Secretary of State office | Yes | The $15 title arrives by mail in about 14 days; $20 gets it the same day. Agency |
| Minnesota | $7.25 | Application at a deputy registrar (Driver and Vehicle Services) | No | Deputy registrars add their own filing fee on top of the state fee. Agency |
| Mississippi | $9 ($39 Fast Track) | Form 78-006 by mail, or Form 78-026 for Fast Track, to the Department of Revenue | No | Forms are also available at the county tax collector's office. Agency |
| Missouri | $17.50 | Form 108, Application for Missouri Title and License, notarized | No | $8.50 duplicate title fee plus a $9 processing fee. Agency |
| Montana | $10.30 | MV7, Certificate of Title Replacement Application, to the Motor Vehicle Division | No | Includes the state's 3% administration fee. Adding a new lien at the same time is $18.54. Agency |
| Nebraska | $14 | Duplicate title application at your county treasurer | No | Some counties add a notary fee (Sarpy County charges $1). Agency |
| Nevada | $20 ($35 out of state) | VP-012, Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title | No | $20 if the car stays in Nevada, $35 if it is located or registered elsewhere. Agency |
| New Hampshire | $35 | TDMV 18, Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, to the Bureau of Title | No | Checks are payable to "State of NH-DMV"; most DMV offices take drop-offs. Agency |
| New Jersey | $60 | Duplicate title application to the NJ MVC, by mail or appointment | No | Pay by check or money order payable to NJMVC if mailing. Agency |
| New Mexico | $5 ($12 with a lien change) | MVD-10901, Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, at an MVD field office | No | One of the cheapest in the country unless you are adding or removing a lien at the same time. Agency |
| New York | $20 | MV-902, Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, to the NY DMV | No | Include a photocopy of your ID when applying by mail. Agency |
| North Carolina | $25.50 | Duplicate title application to the NCDMV | No | The same $25.50 covers a corrected or substitute title. Agency |
| North Dakota | $5 | Application for duplicate title to NDDOT Motor Vehicle | No | The same $5 as North Dakota's standard title fee. Agency |
| Ohio | $15 to $18, by county | Any county Clerk of Courts title office, in person or by mail | No | Ohio titles are issued by the county Clerk of Courts, not the BMV, and the fee depends on the county ($15 in Lake and Montgomery, $18 in Hamilton and Fairfield). Agency |
| Oklahoma | $11 | Form 701-7, Application for Replacement Certificate of Title, through Service Oklahoma or a tag agency | No | Add $1.73 if mailed. Titles are mailed and cannot be picked up in person. Agency |
| Oregon | from $101 (the full title fee) | Application for Replacement / Duplicate Title to Oregon DMV | No | Oregon has no separate duplicate fee, so you pay the regular title fee, which is set by the car's fuel economy (from $101 at 0 to 19 MPG). Agency |
| Pennsylvania | $72 | MV-38O, Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title, to PennDOT | No | No fee if the title was lost in the mail and you apply within 90 days of its issue. Agency |
| Rhode Island | $53.50 | Duplicate title application at DMV headquarters in Cranston only | No | Duplicates can only be issued to the owner on record, and only at the Cranston office. Agency |
| South Carolina | $15 | SCDMV Form 400, or the SCDMV online duplicate title service | Yes | Same-day expedited duplicates are available in a branch only, for an extra $20. Agency |
| South Dakota | $10 | Duplicate Title Application at your county treasurer | No | Set by state law at $10; some counties add a card service charge. Agency |
| Tennessee | $14 plus county fees | Duplicate title application through the county clerk | No | You need proof that every lien has been discharged. Agency |
| Texas | $5.45 | VTR-34, Application for a Certified Copy of Title, to TxDMV or a county tax office | No | Texas calls it a certified copy, and there is a 30-day wait after a title is issued before you can request one. Agency |
| Utah | $6 | TC-123, Application for Duplicate Utah Title, to the DMV | No | Expect the duplicate in roughly 10 to 14 business days. Agency |
| Vermont | $42 | VT-004, Application for Replacement Title, online, at a DMV office or by mail to Montpelier | Yes | The same $42 as a new Vermont title. Agency |
| Virginia | $15 | VSA 67, Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles, to the DMV | No | For a lost or stolen title only the VSA 67 and the fee are needed. Agency |
| Washington | $39.50 | Affidavit of Loss/Release of Interest, at a vehicle licensing office | No | If you mail it, your signature has to be notarized. Agency |
| West Virginia | $15 | DMV-4-TR, Affidavit of Duplicate Title, with a copy of your driver's license | No | The same form covers a duplicate boat title. Agency |
| Wisconsin | $20 | Replacement title application to the Wisconsin DMV | No | A fraction of Wisconsin's high original title fee. Agency |
| Wyoming | $15 | Duplicate title application at your county clerk | No | Wyoming titles are issued by the county clerk; a VIN inspection, if needed, is $10 more. Agency |
Can I get a copy of my car title online?
In 10 of the states above, yes: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, South Carolina, Vermont. Arizona is the quickest and cheapest at $4 through AZ MVD Now, and Indiana also takes requests at its BMV Connect kiosks. Everywhere else it is a mailed form or a counter visit, and online requests are usually limited to the owner on record with no open lien.
When a lender still holds the title
While a loan is open, the title usually is not yours to lose. The lender holds the paper, or the state holds it electronically under its ELT program. When you pay the loan off, the lender releases the lien and either mails you the title or tells the state to print one. If that paper then goes missing, you are in the normal duplicate process. If the lender never released the lien, start with the lender, because no state will issue you a clean duplicate over an open lien.
Never had the title in your name? A duplicate only goes to the owner on record, so that case runs through a bonded title or a court order instead. Only want the car gone? Several states let a licensed yard take it without the title; junking a car with no title has each state's rule.
Questions about lost titles
What happens if your car title is lost?
Nothing happens to the car, and you still own it. The ownership record lives in the state database, not on the paper. The problem only shows up when you need the paper: to sell the car, trade it in, move it to another state or prove ownership. A duplicate fixes that, and it cancels the lost one so nobody else can use it.
Can I get a copy of my car title online?
In 10 states, yes: Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, South Carolina, Vermont take requests online. Most others want a form by mail or a visit to a DMV or county office. Online requests are almost always limited to the owner on record with no open lien.
How difficult is it to get a duplicate title?
If you are the owner on record and the loan is paid off, it is one form, a photo ID and a fee. It gets harder when the name or address has changed, when a lender still has a lien, or when the car was never titled to you in the first place. That last case is a different process, a bonded title or a court order, not a duplicate.
How much does it cost to get a duplicate title in Florida?
$75.25. FLHSMV charges the same for a duplicate as for a title transfer, and you apply through a county tax collector office.
How fast can I get a duplicate title in PA?
PennDOT mails the duplicate after it processes Form MV-38O. For speed, licensed PennDOT agents (online messengers) can handle the transaction in person for their own service fee. If the title never arrived in the mail and you apply within 90 days of its issue, there is no fee at all.
Can you sell a car with a lost title?
Not cleanly. The buyer needs a signed title to put the car in their name, so in practice you get the duplicate first and sign that over. A few states let you apply for the duplicate and transfer at the same visit, which is worth asking your DMV or county office about if a buyer is waiting.
Related: title transfer costs by state, what a branded title means, and title vs registration.