Bonded Title Procedure

If you do not have acceptable evidence of ownership for a vehicle you own, you may have the option of applying for a bonded title.

Step 1: Determine your eligibility

• In order to qualify, you must be a Texas resident or military personnel stationed in Texas; or
• Have a vehicle that was last titled in Texas.
• The vehicle must be in your possession and cannot be considered abandoned, junked, stolen, or in any other pending lawsuits. Although not required to be operational, it must be a complete vehicle including a frame, body and motor or if a motorcycle, a frame and motor.

If you meet the above eligibility requirements take or mail the following documents to your TxDMV Regional Service Center:

• A Statement of Fact for Bonded Title (VTR-130-SOF),
• A Statement of Physical Inspection (VTR-270)
• Any supporting evidence of ownership (Bill of Sale, Invoice, Cancelled Check, etc.)

If your documents are approved, you will be issued a letter with the amount of the bond equal to 1½ times the value of the vehicle. The department is responsible for determining the value of the vehicle using:

• The Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) from our Web site (www.TxDMV.gov) as the primary source
• If a SPV is not available, a national reference guide, National Auto Dealers Association (NADA) will be used
• If a value is not available either through SPV or NADA, a licensed motor vehicle dealer or insurance adjuster may appraise the vehicle on a form provided by VTR.
• Vehicles 25 years old or older
  • The department will determine and assign the bond value
  • Appraisals less than $4,000 will not be accepted.

Step 2: Purchase a surety bond

Take the letter and other documents given to you by the TxDMV Regional Service Center to an auto insurance agency or any agency that is licensed to sell vehicle Surety Bonds in Texas.

You have one year from the date of the letter to purchase a Surety Bond in the amount shown on the letter, otherwise a new letter and bond would be required.

Step 3: Apply for a bonded title

Within 30 days from purchasing the surety bond, take the original letter given to you by the Regional Office and the documents listed above, to your county tax office, in addition to:

• a completed Form 130-U
• proof of insurance.
• weight certificate (if a commercial vehicle or a truck)
• Vehicle Identification Certificate (Form VI-30), completed by a Safety Inspection Station (if previously titled out-of-state)
• Customs Document (HS 7) (if vehicle imported from out of country)