How Long Does It Take to Get a Lost Title in Texas
Exact Answer: 6 to 8 weeks
The statutory provisions of Texas postulate the need for a valid car title. This document proves the legal ownership of the vehicle as well as permits the owner to drive it in the state. The title of the vehicle must be registered with the Texas DMV for this purpose.
There are quite a few documents needed to be able to initiate the registration process for a valid title. Moreover, the law of the state dictates that each time a vehicle is bought or sold, the titular ownership of the vehicle must be transferred to the new owner. Registration for a new title can be done through the online DMV site or can be initiated in-person at the state DMV office.
How Long Does It Take To Get A Car Title In The Mail In Texas
Receiving a car title through the mail can be a considerably long process in Texas. There are several parameters to be considered in developing a potential timeline of the title's arrival in the mail.
The time taken by a new title to reach the recipient through the mail will be dependent upon a number of factors. The specific predicament of the person applying for the car title also has a bearing on the stipulated time frame of its approval and arrival.
If an individual is purchasing a new car, then the focus is on the method of payment. In case a car is purchased with completely liquidated assets like complete cash or cheque payment, then the time taken for the car title will arrive in the mail within 4 weeks.
However, if a car is purchased with a certain amount of loaned money then the time taken for the title to arrive in the mail will be different. In Texas, the ownership title for such a car arrives only after the complete repayment of the loan. On average, a month's time is generally stipulated for the arrival of such a title.
A duplicate title is issued by the Texas DMV after an individual files a 'misplaced title' report. The duplicate title arrives in the mail of the registered individual within a week's time. On the other hand, transferring the car title of a deceased owner will take longer. A 6 to 8-week window is generally stipulated for the processing of such a claim. The new title arrives in the mail within this period of time.
In Summary:
| Specifics of the Request | Time Taken by the Title to Arrive |
| New Car Title (Cash Paid) | Within 4 weeks |
| New Car Title (Loan) | Within a month of repaying the outstanding loan amount |
| Duplicate Car Title | 5-7 days |
| Transfer of Ownership (Deceased) | 6-8 weeks |
Why Does It Take So Long To Get A Car Title In Texas By Mail?
The bureaucratic processes involved in filing, developing, and processing a new claim take time. This affects the total time taken by a car title to arrive in the mail of an expectant recipient.
A document called the 'release of lien' is needed for those vehicles that have been purchased with a borrowed amount. This document is indispensable when filing a request for a car title in Texas. This stipulates that the ownership of the vehicle's title rests with the loaning party. Only after the complete repayment of the outstanding debt the car title is transferred in the name of the actual owner. This process takes time.
Getting a duplicate copy is possible within a week because the documents to be submitted to the Texas DMV are relatively fewer. By filling a request form for the same, accompanied by a copy of the concerned individual's driver's license, the claim is registered. A small fee is needed to process the request, but the duplicate title arrives fairly quickly in the mail.
Transferring the title from the name of a deceased owner to their spouses or family members takes the longest time because it involves several processual steps. If the deceased individual is not succeeded by a will or testament, then an Affidavit for the vehicle needs to be filed by the spouse. This is followed by a long-drawn process of document verification and processing.
Moreover, sometimes car titles may take longer to arrive in the mail due to delays and lags in the postal network. National holidays may also affect the prompt delivery of car titles.
Conclusion
In the states of Texas, on average, an individual must be prepared to wait for a period of at least 1-2 months for the arrival of his or her car title in the mail. This timeline tends to be hastened or prolonged in some instances, but more or less, it remains stable.
It is possible to minimize unnecessary delays and lags by filing all the correct documents needed by the Texas DMV at the very first instance. This helps accelerate the processing of car title claims. Moreover, if an individual experiences unforeseen delays in receiving the car title, he must notify the DMV immediately.
References
- https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/baylr53§ion=29
- https://heinonline.org/hol-cgi-bin/get_pdf.cgi?handle=hein.journals/smulr5§ion=51
How Long Does It Take to Get a Lost Title in Texas
Source: https://exactlyhowlong.com/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-car-title-in-the-mail-in-texas-and-why/