Can I sell a car without a title?

In most states, no. Rules around car titles vary by state, but—generally speaking—if you’ve lost your vehicle’s title, it should be possible to obtain a new copy by contacting your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Note: obtaining a new title invalidates a car’s old title. There are other reasons why you might not be in possession of your car’s title, such as if the car still has a lien against it, or if it was bought from a previous owner that didn’t have the title. Our guide to how to sell a car without a title explains what to do in these scenarios.