Can you legally sell a car when you don't have the title?

Gale Hartt: Absolutely not.Look up the laws for your state. I will guarantee that it states, clearly, that a title is required for proof of ownership.Only exception is if the car is past a certain age, in which case a bill of sale will work.If you requested it 5 months ago, why did it take you so long to be concerned? Should have taken a week or two.Otherwise, just use common sense. If you can sell a car without a title, when it's supposed to have one...what stops me from going to your house, and selling your car? Nothing. So, they require to have proof of ownership, before transferring a car....Show more

Sharolyn Claybourn: You CAN sell the car without the title in hand as long as you are the legal owner. You need to get a form from the DMV called an affadavit of lost title/release of interest. You take that with you when you find a buyer and together go fill it out at the DMV office. It will immediately transfer ownership. If you have questions, call the DMV for h! elp.

Ha Wolski: people constantly amaze me with this kind of stuff/get yourself over to dmv and get there form and do it right there on the spot/mail schmail they dont care and if its not on the right form its toast/do your important dealings with these goverment bureaucrats in person

Will Camus: Yes, it happens every single day at car dealers and car auctions all over the country.Getting someone to PAY you without the title is harder to do.When I was a dealer, I regularly bought cars without the title (yet) and I did not have to pay for them until the title came in.Similarly, when I sold cars at auction when I hadn't gotten the title yet, I didn't get paid until I did.I sold to the public without having the title yet too. Dozens of times. (Its not against the law. I have a legal bill of sale showing Im the owner. that beats an out of date title registration)So despite what lots of clueless idiots without a clue say, its LEGAL to sell a car you own.Your issue is! finding someone willing to PAY for it. People come here all t! he time after buying cars in situations like yours and then cant get the seller to hand over the title. one guy was even asking an additional $500 for the title, because he could.My suggestion is to show a buyer where you applied for a lost title, let them retain 5-10% of the money until you produce the title and go ahead and sell it, if they are ok with that.You wont go to jail over it. But, you do have a good faith obligation to get them a title in a reasonable length of time.(Despite the negatives, i have 15 years experience buying & selling cars. Car sales happen every single day, 100% legal where the titles are lost, stolen or involve bank payoffs. Anyone marking my post negative simply doesnt have any real world experience let alone common sense)...Show more