Getting Title Without Definitive Proof of Ownership

**Another Demise** · 03-06-2009, 01:02 PM

My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: Tennessee
I received a 1983 Dodge Ram from my father. He bought it from someone who bought it from someone. He just received the title and gave that to my father though. Can I apply for a lost title? How do i go about getting the new title itself? Also I have several officers willing to run the vin for me and give me the info that comes up. Is this legal? Would it be illegal to use the info from this search to have the replacemnent title sent to my house then feeled out by me? Also this is a gray issue but could i possibly use the registration info from the other vehicle im not getting alot of its replacement parts from since it doesnt run but i have access to its info? Is a lack of dispute as to the validity of my ownership a defense of my de jure ownership?

**Mr. Knowitall** · 03-09-2009, 04:52 PM

If title was transferred to your father, your father can request a replacement title and convey the vehcile to you.

**Another Demise** · 03-10-2009, 03:00 PM

my father GOT the title from the defacto owner before him who got it from someone else who was the real owner. he took the title and it had no buyer name on it, he diddnt want to sign it himself because he wanted no paper trail, so my father got it, signed it, my step mom threw it out and the law never knew he bought it.

**Another Demise** · 03-29-2009, 01:47 PM

well???????

**licensegrl** · 03-29-2009, 02:23 PM

So your father never applied for a title in his name? If so, he never had a legal right to sell it or give it to you. The whole purpose of ehicle titles is to have a paper trail. The fact that someone tried to avoid the paper trail only gives this more creedence. Whoever the last owner (hi, my name was actaully on the front of the title) was is the true owner of the vehicle. You need to backtrack and find this person in order to receive a duplicate title taht can then be teransferred to your dad, you or whoever. In some states there are also guidelines for "undocumented vehicles". But following this process will turn up that last registered owner in the DMV's database. There really isn't any way around it. Whoever registered the vehicle last has to be located to transfer ownership to anyone else. ALl the VIN searches in the world will only turn up that last owner and ultimately...the car still belongs to him.

**Another Demise** · 06-29-2009, 03:32 PM

yea duh i kno the vin search will come up with that last guy but can i just get a replacement title and sign it over to myself? its not my fault after all that THEY diddnt want to leave a trail, its still been givin unlesss ur saying once ur name is on the car its yours by force via the law...

**That Guy** · 06-29-2009, 10:00 PM

If your name is not on the DMV records as the registered owner then you can't get a replacement title. DUH!!!

Its not their fault that someone bought and paid for a car, accepted an unsigned certificate of title and then lost it.

You have to get a hold of the registered owner. Once you do that, he/she can either request a new title and sign it off to you or go to the DMV and take care of the transfer of ownership there.

**marshel** · 07-03-2009, 06:06 AM

Hello, I hope to find clarity with my situation. I just found out that my ex-boyfriend was able to transfer title of ownership to my boat without my consent. I have in my possession the pink slip and temporary registration to the boat which was issued directly from the dealer from which the boat was purchased at. How was he able to obtain a copy of the title when I was the ONLY person named as owner within the pink? Also, I am the only registered person with DMV. Now he is trying to take possession of the boat from the storage area because he can show them filed documents from DMV by means of transfer or sale. How can this happen?