How do I obtain a bonded title?
We recommend contacting the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles to ensure you meet all requirements before purchasing a bond with Self Service Surety. It is your responsibility to understand and follow allow requirements prior to purchasing a bond. For convenience we have summarized the steps required according to documentation available at txdmv.gov.
- Determine your eligibility. You must be either a Texas resident or military personnel stationed in Texas. The vehicle must be in your possession.
- Take or mail to the nearest TxDMV Regional Service Center a Statement of Fact for Bonded Title (form VTR-130-SOF), supporting evidence of ownership (bill of sale, invoice, cancelled check, etc.) and photo ID.
- If the vehicle has never been titled or registered in Texas, obtain a vehicle identification number inspection from an auto theft investigator (Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection, Form VTR-68-A).
- If your documents are approved you will be issued a letter containing the value of your vehicle and the required bond amount. The bond requirement will typically be 1.5 times your vehicle’s value.
- Obtain a surety bond for the amount specified in the letter from the Texas DMV.
- Within 30 days of the surety bond purchase, take all documents collected to your county tax office. You will need to complete an Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U).
There are many additional important details and exceptions in addition to the steps laid out above. In particular, extra documentation and conditions apply to out-of-state vehicles, commercial vehicles and imported vehicles. When in doubt, contact the Texas DMV and discuss your questions with a representative.
Who needs a Texas title bond?
If you purchase or otherwise receive a motor vehicle with a lost or improperly assigned title, a title bond is required to establish your ownership of the car and to register your vehicle. It is best to call the Texas DMV directly to clarify your requirements.
Why are title bonds required?
A title bond ensures that compensation is available to individuals who subsequently come forward as rightful owner of the vehicle. A rightful owner that comes forward prior to the bond’s expiration may be entitled to compensation up to the full penalty amount of the bond. After the bond’s expiration, the title is considered clean and no further claims can be made. Texas bonded titles expire after 3 years, at which point you can apply for the “bonded” brand to be removed.