Texas Bonded Title: What It Is, Cost and How to Get One
A Texas bonded title lets you title a vehicle you hold when you can't show a valid title for it. TxDMV requires a surety bond equal to 1.5 times the vehicle's value, and your Notice of Determination states the exact bond amount. Wait for that letter before you buy your Texas title bond (see also the Texas Department of Insurance). Other states? See our title bond state directory.
- Bond amount: 1.5 times the vehicle's value
- Bond term: three years
- Not sure of the amount? Try the Texas bonded title calculator or the title bond calculator
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- Who requires it: the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV).
- Amount: 1.5 times the vehicle’s value, as stated on your TxDMV Notice of Determination.
- Term: three years (Texas Department of Insurance).
- Apply at: a TxDMV Regional Service Center (VTR-130-SOF). Bond filed with: your county tax assessor-collector within 30 days of buying it.
What is a bonded title in Texas?
A bonded title is a Texas title issued after you provide a surety bond, used when you have a vehicle but cannot produce a valid title to it. TxDMV's bonded title guidance covers this route for a vehicle you hold and can show evidence of ownership for, such as a title, bill of sale, or canceled check (confirm which documents are acceptable with TxDMV). Questions about what the bond covers should go to TxDMV.
Not in Texas? See the vehicle title bond hub, or read how to get a bonded title for the steps that apply in any state.
Who is eligible for a Texas bonded title?
On the Bonded Title Application (VTR-130-SOF), TxDMV asks whether you live in Texas or are military personnel stationed in Texas; you must be one of those. The application also requires that:
- The vehicle is in your legal possession.
- The vehicle is complete. The form states: “A motor vehicle (such as a passenger car or pickup truck) must have a motor, body, and frame. A motorcycle must have a motor and frame. A trailer must have a bed, frame, and axle assembly. An incomplete motor vehicle will not be titled.”
- Any recorded lien less than 10 years old is cleared. The form requires “An original release(s) of lien or letter(s) of no interest if the vehicle has a lien of less than 10 years old.”
The TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual (sec. 8.3) bars a bonded title for a salvage or nonrepairable motor vehicle (Transp. Code §501.053(f)). If the vehicle was rebuilt, the application asks for a Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (Form VTR-61); confirm rebuilt-vehicle cases with TxDMV. An assembled vehicle also needs an ASE inspection on Form VTR-64 or VTR-852. For how other states treat a salvage vehicle, see the salvage and rebuilt vehicle title guide.
Source: VTR-130-SOF; TxDMV, Bought a Vehicle Without a Title?; TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual
Mobile and manufactured homes in Texas: TDHCA, not TxDMV
A manufactured or mobile home is not titled by TxDMV. Ownership of a manufactured home is recorded by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) Manufactured Housing Division, on a "Statement of Ownership" rather than a vehicle title — TDHCA's page is "Recording Ownership and Titling a Manufactured Home." (TDHCA, recording ownership of a manufactured home)
We have not found on TDHCA's page whether a surety-bond route exists for a manufactured home the way it does for a vehicle; confirm that with TDHCA before counting on it. For how a title bond works for a manufactured home in general, see mobile and manufactured home title bonds.
Texas bonded title process, step by step
- File the Bonded Title Application (VTR-130-SOF) at a TxDMV Regional Service Center for your county, in person or by mail. Include your evidence of ownership, the $15 processing fee, lien releases for any recorded lien less than 10 years old, and, if the vehicle has no Texas record, a law-enforcement VIN inspection on Form VTR-68-A. If you mail it, the form requires an email address or phone number.
- Get the Notice of Determination (VTR-130-ND). The Regional Service Center sets the vehicle's value and sends a notice stating the bond amount, 1.5 times the value. Wait for this letter before buying a bond.
- Buy your surety bond (VTR-130-SB) from an insurance agency or other agency licensed to sell vehicle surety bonds in Texas, in the amount on the notice. TxDMV gives you one year from the Notice date to buy the bond; after that, you need a new notice and bond.
- Apply at your county tax assessor-collector office within 30 days of buying the bond, with the original Notice of Determination, the original bond, your title and registration application (Form 130-U), and the registration items listed in the form guide below.
You can book a TxDMV Regional Service Center appointment online; locations are on the TxDMV Regional Service Centers page.
Source: TxDMV, Bought a Vehicle Without a Title?; VTR-130-SOF.
What is the Notice of Determination for a Texas bonded title?
The Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing (Form VTR-130-ND) is issued by TxDMV when your documents are approved. It states the amount of the bond you must purchase, equal to 1½ times the value of the vehicle.
You have one year from the date of the notice to purchase a surety bond in the amount shown, otherwise a new notice and bond will be required. Then, within 30 days of purchasing the bond, take the original VTR-130-ND and your Step 1 documents to your county tax office.
What is the Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND) for a bonded title?
TxDMV's title-litigation page describes when it goes out: "The TxDMV issues a Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing for a motor vehicle when an application for title is rejected." (TxDMV, title litigation) Your copy states the bond amount and the deadlines for buying the bond and filing at the county, which are covered in the steps above.
You can receive a Notice of Determination even if you never applied for a bonded title. TxDMV's page explains to recipients: "You received the letter from the TxDMV because you are listed as a lien holder or current owner on the title record." If someone else applied for a bonded title on a vehicle you own or hold a lien on, TxDMV's page says "you may file a lawsuit against the person or business that applied for the bonded title and request TxDMV to place a hold." You make that request — a 10-day processing hold — by email to VTR_TitleLitigation@txdmv.gov, and you can find out who applied by filing Form VTR-275 and checking the "Other" box.
TxDMV's Regional Service Centers list "Bonded Title Rejection Letters" among their services. We have not found a published review time on TxDMV's pages, so ask the office that serves your county. You can confirm where to file your Texas bonded title. If your paperwork was only lost rather than missing from the start, the Texas lost or duplicate title process may apply instead, and the hearing and court-order alternatives appear further down this page.
How long does it take to get a bonded title in Texas?
Texas publishes no processing time. It does publish three windows: if an appraisal sets the value, submit it within 30 days of the appraisal; buy the bond within one year of the Notice of Determination; apply at your county tax office within 30 days of buying the bond.
Work the order: get the Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND) from the TxDMV Regional Service Center, buy the bond within one year, then apply at the county tax office within 30 days. The review time at the Regional Service Center and the county tax office is not published, so ask each office where your file stands.
How much does a bonded title cost in Texas?
Two different numbers matter here, and they are not the same thing.
- The bond amount is set by TxDMV at 1.5 times the vehicle's value. The VTR-130-SOF department block records it as “Bond Amount (vehicle value x 1.5).” This is the coverage figure on your bond, not what you pay out of pocket.
- The bond premium is a fraction of the bond amount that you pay to buy the bond. The carrier sets the premium. Request a quote above for an estimate, or work out the bond amount first with the Texas bonded title calculator or the title bond calculator.
Bond-amount arithmetic (this is the 1.5x calculation only, not an estimate of what you pay):
| Vehicle value | Bond amount (value × 1.5) |
|---|---|
| $2,000 | $3,000 |
| $5,000 | $7,500 |
| $10,000 | $15,000 |
Separate government charges apply and are not part of the bond: TxDMV's $15.00 processing fee (non-refundable; mailed fees must be a check or money order payable to TxDMV, and TxDMV does not accept temporary checks or cash by mail), plus title and registration fees at your county tax office (confirm those with your county).
How is the vehicle's value decided?
TxDMV sets the value that drives your bond amount. The VTR-130-SOF states the order it uses: “Vehicle value is determined by the department using the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) calculator ... If the SPV calculator does not return a value, the department will use a value from a national reference guide. If the department is unable to determine a value, you must obtain an appraisal from a licensed dealer or licensed insurance adjuster on ... (Form VTR-125).”
A few specifics from TxDMV:
- An appraisal must be dated and submitted within 30 days, and per the form it “must be legible, include the appraiser's business name, address, and license number; and must have the appraiser's original signature.”
- For a vehicle 25 or more years old, an appraisal may be used in place of the guide value; an appraisal under $4,000 on such a vehicle is set at $4,000.
- For trailers and semitrailers, the department value is $4,000 if under 20 feet and $7,000 if 20 feet or longer. The trailer title bond guide compares trailer rules across states.
The bond follows the amount on your Notice of Determination; contact TxDMV with any questions before you buy.
Dealers and title services handling these in volume: see title professionals.
Source: VTR-130-SOF; VTR-125; TxDMV, Bought a Vehicle Without a Title?
How long does a Texas bonded title take? The clock, step by step
We have not found a published processing time on TxDMV's pages, and the ordered deadlines — the appraisal window, the one year to buy the bond, and the 30 days to file at the county — are set out in the timing answer above. This section adds the one piece that answer leaves out: where the review happens.
TxDMV runs 16 Regional Service Center offices, which are "open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. local time, Monday through Friday," and where "Customers with appointments will receive priority." (TxDMV, Regional Service Centers) Because we have not found a published review time, ask the office that serves your county where your file stands rather than counting on a set turnaround; the offices and how to book are in the Texas Regional Service Center locations and appointments guide.
The bond's three-year term and what follows it are covered in the bond-term section next and in what happens when the bond term ends.
How long does a bonded title bond last in Texas?
The Texas Department of Insurance describes the certificate of title surety bond as effective for three years. What happens at the end of the three years is not stated on the TxDMV or TDI pages reviewed for this page; confirm with TxDMV.
After the bond: clean title, selling, value and insurance questions
When the bond term ends, Texas is exact about the date and silent about the rest. The statute reproduced in the TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual reads: "(d) A bond under this section expires on the third anniversary of the date the bond became effective." (TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual) We have not found what happens to the title's status after that third anniversary on TxDMV's or the Texas Department of Insurance's pages, so ask the Regional Service Center that serves your county before you rely on it; do not assume the title changes on its own. The life after the bonded-title term guide compares the states.
How TxDMV set the vehicle's value in the first place is covered in the valuation section above. Two further questions do not have answers on the TxDMV bonded-title pages. On resale: we have not found a rule for reselling a bonded-title vehicle, or what the bonded title means for its resale value, on TxDMV's pages; confirm that with TxDMV. On insurance: the form guide below lists proof of liability insurance among the county registration items, and we have not found a description of what the certificate of title surety bond itself covers on TxDMV's or TDI's pages; confirm that with TDI.
If you are the one buying a car that already carries a bonded title, the buyer checklist — including running the VIN through the title-history check — is in the buying-a-bonded-title answer already on this page.
Is a lost title the same as a bonded title in Texas?
This page covers the bonded title route only. If your title was lost, confirm with TxDMV which process applies to you before you buy a bond.
Registering or selling a vehicle in Texas without a title
TxDMV's motorist FAQ lists the bonded title as an option when you bought a vehicle without a title and names the records that count as "Evidence of ownership – Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, title, bill of sale, or out-of-state registration receipt." (TxDMV, motorist FAQ) TxDMV's bonded-title guidance adds that the route fits where you "have lost the evidence of ownership and cannot contact the seller for the necessary documentation."
A bill of sale is one of the ownership documents TxDMV lists for a bonded-title application. Separately, for a used trailer TxDMV lists a bill of sale in place of a title: a "Used trailer less than or equal to 4,000 lbs. gross weight: Bill of Sale + Registration Receipt or Certificate of Title if one was issued," while "If your manufactured trailer's gross weight exceeds 4,000 lbs., it must be titled." (TxDMV, trailers) Whether a bill of sale alone is enough in any other case, we have not found on TxDMV's pages; confirm with TxDMV. The Texas trailer title guide covers that weight threshold in detail.
The rules for selling a vehicle you do not yet hold a title to, we have not found on TxDMV's pages; confirm the seller-side requirements with TxDMV before money changes hands.
What if you can't clear a lien or don't qualify for a bonded title?
TxDMV describes alternatives on its page:
- A court order awarding you ownership free and clear of liens, used when you cannot obtain a lien release or letter of no interest. TxDMV should not be named as a party.
- A tax assessor-collector hearing. The same statement-of-fact form (VTR-130-SOF) is also titled for a “Tax Collector Hearing,” and the Notice of Determination (VTR-130-ND) covers both the bonded title and the hearing route.
How to request the hearing is covered below; the hearing itself is not detailed on the pages reviewed, so confirm the steps with your county tax assessor-collector or TxDMV.
A few specifics sit behind those two alternatives. On the lien question, the statute reproduced in the Title Manual allows a bonded title only where "(1) there is no security interest on the vehicle; (2) any lien on the vehicle is at least 10 years old; or (3) the person provides a release of all liens with bond." (TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual) So a recorded lien under 10 years old needs a release of all liens filed with the bond before this route opens.
On the hearing, TxDMV's title-litigation page directs you to "request a hearing on the refusal to issue title with the Tax Assessor Collector in the county where you reside under Texas Transportation Code §501.052" — see which Texas office handles the hearing request. (TxDMV, title litigation) For a court order, the same page limits which courts can act: "justice of the peace and municipal courts are prohibited from issuing orders related to motor vehicle titles ... except in cases involving law enforcement or enforcement of a lien." If you are unsure which court that leaves for your case, ask the court or an attorney.
Source: TxDMV, Bought a Vehicle Without a Title?; VTR-130-SOF.
Should I buy a car with a bonded title in Texas?
Yes, you can. A bonded title is a valid Texas ownership title established through TxDMV's bonded title process. Before you buy, run the VIN through the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System title check to see the vehicle's history.
The NMVTIS report tells you whether the vehicle was ever in a junk or salvage yard or declared a total loss. Note that salvage and nonrepairable vehicles are not eligible for a bonded title in the first place, under Texas Transportation Code 501.053(f).
Sources: TxDMV: Title check before you buy · TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · Texas Department of Insurance: surety bonds
DMV form guide: Texas bonded title
| Form | Title | Who fills it in | Where it goes | Signature / notary | Key fields & attachments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VTR-130-SOF (Rev 11/24) | Bonded Title Application or Tax Collector Hearing Statement of Fact | Applicant(s) | TxDMV Regional Service Center first (Part 1); a copy goes to the county tax office later (Part 2) | Signed, printed and dated by each applicant under a certification that "State law makes falsifying information a third degree felony"; no notary box. Each signer attaches a photo-ID copy (an ID expired not more than 12 months counts as current); an agent adds a letter of signature authority on letterhead, a printed business card or employee ID, plus their own photo ID. | Vehicle info (VIN, year, make, body style, model, seller, odometer, purchase date, price); applicant info; written explanation; 11 yes/no questions. Part 1 attachments: $15 fee, evidence of ownership, VTR-61 and VTR-64 or VTR-852 if applicable, lien releases, VTR-68-A if applicable. |
| VTR-130-ND | Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing | Issued by the TxDMV Regional Service Center | Returned by the applicant to the county tax office | n/a | States the bond amount (value × 1.5); must be submitted with all enclosures. No public URL was available for this form; obtain it from TxDMV. |
| VTR-130-SB | Surety bond form | The surety company (with a power of attorney, if applicable) | County tax office | Confirm with TxDMV | Named in VTR-130-SOF Part 2 as the original bond purchased from the surety. The form itself could not be retrieved; confirm details with your surety and TxDMV. |
| VTR-125 (Rev 08/16) | Motor Vehicle Appraisal for Tax Collector Hearing / Bonded Title | A licensed motor vehicle dealer or insurance adjuster (who inspects in person) | Submitted with VTR-130-SOF to the Regional Service Center | Appraiser signs, prints name and dates; no notary box | Vehicle and applicant info; appraiser type, license number and company; appraised value; complete/incomplete. Per the form it "may only be used ... if the department is unable to establish the value by using the Standard Presumptive Value or from a national reference guide." |
| VTR-68-A | Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection | An auto theft investigator / law enforcement | Submitted with the application | Confirm with TxDMV | Required when the vehicle has no Texas record. TxDMV does not perform these inspections; local law enforcement, an MVCPA grantee, or a TxDMV Regional Service Center can direct you. No public URL was available; obtain it from TxDMV or law enforcement. |
| Form 130-U | Application for Texas Title and/or Registration | Applicant | County tax office (step 4) | Confirm with TxDMV | Filed at the county with the bond and the Notice of Determination. |
| VTR-61 / VTR-64 / VTR-852 / VTR-270 | Rebuilt Vehicle Statement / ASE inspection / VIN Certification (titles inferred from the application) | As applicable | With the application | — | Named on VTR-130-SOF for rebuilt or assembled vehicles, or for the registration VIN option. Confirm the current versions with TxDMV. |
| VTR-34 | Application for a Certified Copy of Title | Recorded owner(s) | TxDMV (mailed to Wichita Falls) or a Regional Service Center | "All recorded owners must sign the form" | For a lost Texas title. "$2 mail-in fee by check, cashier's check or money order," or "$5.45 fee by check, cash, or money order" in person. "There is a 30-day waiting period to apply for a certified copy of title after the last one was issued." A paid-off lien still on the record needs an original release (no fax or photocopy). |
| VTR-71-2 | Application for Authority to Dispose of a Motor Vehicle to a Demolisher | Confirm with TxDMV | Confirm with TxDMV | Confirm with TxDMV | Authority to dispose of an abandoned vehicle to a demolisher. "$2.00 application fee." The owner(s) and lienholder(s) have 20 days to claim the vehicle, and the certificate of authority is issued on the 21st day. |
| VTR-141 | Trailer Verification Statement of Fact | Applicant (confirm with TxDMV) | Confirm with TxDMV | Confirm with TxDMV | For an assembled trailer. "Newly-assembled trailers are required to have a VIN." |
| VTR-68-N | Confirm the exact title with TxDMV | Confirm with TxDMV | Confirm with TxDMV | Confirm with TxDMV | Named alongside Form VTR-68-A for a trailer VIN; the title, signer and fee are not shown on TxDMV's trailer page. Confirm with TxDMV. |
For registration at the county, VTR-130-SOF Part 2 also lists a Vehicle Inspection Report from a Texas safety inspection station (or VTR-270 VIN Certification where that option applies), proof of liability insurance, and photo ID.
These forms feed the specialty routes that branch off a Texas title: for a lost Texas title and Form VTR-34, see the Texas lost-title steps; for Form VTR-71-2 and a left-behind vehicle, the Texas abandoned-vehicle route; for a VIN inspection on VTR-68-A or VTR-68-N, the Texas VIN inspection route; and for a damaged vehicle, Texas salvage and rebuilt titles.
Source: VTR-130-SOF; VTR-125; Form 130-U.
Sources: TxDMV, get a copy of your title; TxDMV, abandoned vehicles; TxDMV, trailers; TxDMV, VIN assignment and reassignment.
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Texas bonded title: frequently asked questions
What is a bonded title in Texas?
A bonded title is a Texas title issued after you provide a surety bond, for a vehicle you hold but cannot show a valid title for. TxDMV sends a Notice of Determination stating the bond amount, which is 1.5 times the vehicle's value. TxDMV's bonded title guidance covers this route.
How much is a bonded title in Texas?
There are two figures. The bond amount is 1.5 times the vehicle's value, set by TxDMV on your Notice of Determination; that is coverage, not what you pay. The premium is a fraction of that amount, set by the carrier; request a quote for an estimate, or estimate the bond amount with the title bond calculator. TxDMV charges a separate $15 processing fee, and county title and registration fees are separate too.
How to get a bonded title in Texas: what are the steps?
File the Bonded Title Application (VTR-130-SOF) at a TxDMV Regional Service Center, wait for the Notice of Determination (VTR-130-ND) stating the bond amount, buy the surety bond for that amount, then apply at your county tax assessor-collector office within 30 days with the notice, the bond and Form 130-U.
Who is eligible for a Texas bonded title?
Per TxDMV's application, you must live in Texas or be military personnel stationed in Texas. The vehicle must be in your legal possession, complete (a motor vehicle needs a motor, body and frame; a motorcycle needs a motor and frame; a trailer needs a bed, frame and axle assembly), and any recorded lien under 10 years old must be released. The TxDMV Title Manual (sec. 8.3) bars a bonded title for a salvage or nonrepairable motor vehicle (Transp. Code §501.053(f)).
How long does a Texas bonded title bond last?
The Texas Department of Insurance describes the certificate of title surety bond as effective for three years. What happens after the three years is not stated on the TxDMV or TDI pages reviewed; confirm with TxDMV.
How does TxDMV decide my vehicle's value?
TxDMV uses the Standard Presumptive Value calculator first; if that returns no value, a national reference guide; and if neither works, an appraisal from a licensed dealer or insurance adjuster on Form VTR-125. Vehicles 25 or more years old may use an appraisal, and trailer values are set at $4,000 (under 20 feet) or $7,000 (20 feet or longer).
What if I can't get a lien release?
TxDMV describes two alternatives: a court order awarding ownership free and clear of liens (TxDMV should not be named as a party), or a tax assessor-collector hearing. Confirm the hearing procedure with your county or TxDMV.
I got a Notice of Determination from TxDMV but never applied for a bonded title — why?
TxDMV's title-litigation page explains that you received the letter because you are listed as a lien holder or current owner on the title record, so you can receive one when someone else applies. TxDMV's title-litigation page says you may file a lawsuit against the applicant and request a hold; the hold request goes to VTR_TitleLitigation@txdmv.gov, and you can identify the applicant with Form VTR-275.
Can I title a vehicle in Texas with just a bill of sale?
A bill of sale is one of the ownership documents TxDMV lists for a bonded-title application. For a used trailer at or under 4,000 lbs., TxDMV lists a bill of sale plus a registration receipt in place of a title, while a manufactured trailer over 4,000 lbs. must be titled. Whether a bill of sale alone is enough in any other case, we have not found on TxDMV's pages; confirm with TxDMV.
Can I get a bonded title for a mobile home in Texas?
A manufactured or mobile home in Texas is handled by the TDHCA Manufactured Housing Division on a Statement of Ownership, not by TxDMV, so start with TDHCA rather than TxDMV. We have not found on TDHCA's page whether it offers a bond-based route; confirm with TDHCA.
Which court can order a Texas vehicle title if I can't get a lien release?
TxDMV's title-litigation page says justice of the peace and municipal courts are prohibited from issuing orders related to motor vehicle titles, except in cases involving law enforcement or enforcement of a lien. TxDMV's bonded-title guidance adds that TxDMV should not be named as a party. Which court that leaves for your situation is a question for the court or your county; confirm before filing.
Where do I get a bonded title near me in Texas?
In Texas, three places handle a bonded title: the TxDMV Regional Service Center that serves your county reviews your documents, an agency licensed to sell vehicle surety bonds in Texas handles the bond, and your county tax office takes your title application. First file your Bonded Title Application (Form VTR-130-SOF), supporting ownership documents, photo ID and the $15.00 fee with your Regional Service Center; appointments can be booked online. Once approved, you receive a Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND) showing the bond amount, then take it to the county tax office within 30 days of purchasing the bond. For the bond itself we work by phone and online in the states where we are licensed, and we shop multiple U.S. Treasury-listed surety carriers.
How long does it take to get a bonded title in Texas?
Texas publishes no processing time. It does publish three windows: if an appraisal sets the value, submit it within 30 days of the appraisal; buy the bond within one year of the Notice of Determination; apply at your county tax office within 30 days of buying the bond.
Can a bonded title become a clean title in Texas?
TxDMV and the Texas Department of Insurance do not publish what happens to a Texas bonded title when the bond term ends. TDI says the bond is effective for three years. Ask the TxDMV Regional Service Center that serves your county, or your county tax office. Do not assume the title converts on its own: the TxDMV bonded title page and the TDI page do not say. Confirm the current rule with the agency before you rely on it, and keep your Notice of Determination and bond papers together in case they ask for them.
Sources: Texas Department of Insurance: surety bonds · TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title
What is the Notice of Determination for a Texas bonded title?
The Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing (Form VTR-130-ND) is issued by TxDMV when your documents are approved. It states the amount of the bond you must purchase, equal to 1½ times the value of the vehicle.
How difficult is it to get a bonded title in Texas?
You must be a Texas resident or military stationed in Texas, with a complete vehicle (frame, body, motor) in your possession that is not junked or nonrepairable. A recorded lien under 10 years old needs an original release or a letter of no interest. Step 1: file Form VTR-130-SOF with the $15.00 fee, proof of ownership, any lien release and photo ID at your TxDMV Regional Service Center. Step 2: when you get the Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND), buy the surety bond within one year. Step 3: apply at your county tax office within 30 days of buying the bond, with Form 130-U.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV Form VTR-130-SOF
How do I clear a bonded title in Texas?
Clear it through the bonded title procedure: a TxDMV Regional Service Center reviews your application and issues a Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND) stating your bond amount, and within 30 days of buying the surety bond you take it to your county tax office. The bond must equal 1 1/2 times the vehicle value, taken first from the Standard Presumptive Value. You have one year from the date of the Notice to purchase the bond, or a new notice and bond are required.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV Form VTR-130-SOF
How to transfer a car title in Texas without a title?
Use the bonded title procedure when you have no title: submit the Bonded Title Application (Form VTR-130-SOF) to a TxDMV Regional Service Center with your evidence of ownership, such as a bill of sale or out-of-state registration receipt. A Notice of Determination follows, stating a bond amount equal to 1 1/2 times the vehicle value. Within 30 days of buying the bond, take it to your county tax office with Form 130-U.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV: Motorist FAQs
What is a lost title bond in Texas?
A lost title bond is the bonded title option for when you have lost the evidence of ownership and cannot contact the seller. If you are the recorded owner and simply lost your title, apply for a certified copy on Form VTR-34 instead. The bonded title runs through a TxDMV Regional Service Center using Form VTR-130-SOF, with a bond equal to 1 1/2 times the vehicle value. The certified copy has a 30-day waiting period after the last one was issued.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV: Get a copy of your title · TxDMV Form VTR-130-SOF
Is a surety bond the same as a bonded title?
No. The surety bond is the instrument you purchase; the bonded title is the Texas title you receive once that bond is on file. The Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND) states the bond amount you must buy under Transportation Code 501.053. Think of them as two steps in one process: the bond comes first in the amount shown on your Notice, then the county tax office issues the title. The bond expires on its third anniversary.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV Form VTR-130-SOF
How do I get a bonded title in Houston?
For Houston, the review is done at the TxDMV Regional Service Center that serves your county (TxDMV's office locator lists them); Regional Service Centers also handle bonded title rejection letters, and your county tax office then issues the title. The Regional Service Center reviews first and issues the Notice of Determination; within 30 days of purchasing the surety bond you take that notice to your county tax office.
Sources: TxDMV: Regional Service Centers · TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title
Can I get a bonded title online in Texas?
TxDMV's page describes taking or mailing the bonded title application to a TxDMV Regional Service Center, and you can book your Regional Service Center appointment online. After the Regional Service Center issues the Notice of Determination and you buy the bond, take it within 30 days to your county tax office with Form 130-U. TxDMV's page doesn't describe an online filing route, so ask your Regional Service Center if you hope to file remotely.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV: Regional Service Centers
Can I get help with a Texas bonded title in Spanish?
You can get help in Spanish. Eric, the producer, speaks Spanish, and the TxDMV website has an English/Spanish language toggle. The bonded title steps are the same either way: a TxDMV Regional Service Center reviews the application, and the county tax office issues the title after the bond is purchased. Si prefiere, podemos repasar todo esto en español cuando guste.
Why does a bonded title cost so much?
The bond amount itself is set at 1 ½ times the vehicle's value under Texas Transportation Code 501.053. You pay a premium that is a small percentage of that bond amount, not the full amount, and the surety sets the final price. On top of the premium there can be a $15 TxDMV administrative fee, an appraisal on Form VTR-125, and a VIN inspection on Form VTR-68-A if needed. The site has a title bond calculator, though any figure there is an estimate.
Sources: TxDMV: Bought a vehicle with no title · TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual · TxDMV Form VTR-130-SOF
How much does a Texas title transfer cost?
Texas title application fee is $28 or $33 depending on the county, plus vehicle sales tax (TxDMV lists the rate) and a registration fee starting at $50.75 for passenger vehicles and light trucks, per TxDMV. Plan to title the vehicle in your name within 30 days of the date of sale to avoid delinquent transfer penalties, and bring the fees to your county tax office.
What is the penalty for not transferring a title in Texas?
Titling the vehicle in your name within 30 days of the date of sale avoids delinquent transfer penalties, per TxDMV. TxDMV's out-of-state vehicle page doesn't list the penalty amount, so ask your county tax office what applies to you. The 30-day clock runs from the date of sale, and titling happens at your county tax office.
How soon can I get a copy of my Texas title?
You apply for a certified copy of a Texas title on the Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34), and there is a 30-day waiting period after the last copy was issued. TxDMV's page doesn't list how quickly a copy is issued. All recorded owners must sign the form. The fee is $2 by mail or $5.45 in person; a paid-off lien that still shows on the record requires an original release from the lienholder. Call the office you apply through to ask about timing.
Source: TxDMV: Get a copy of your title
Ready for your Texas bonded title?
Once your Notice of Determination shows the bond amount, request a quote for an estimate. The carrier issues the bond.
Get my Texas bonded title quotePrefer to talk? Call 1-844-810-2663
Free quote. No obligation.
Special situations in Texas
Texas boats are titled by Parks and Wildlife rather than TxDMV, and salvage and nonrepairable vehicles are barred from the bond route, so the type of vehicle decides which guide fits.
- titling a motorcycle without the paperwork
- RV titles in Texas
- bonded title for a boat
- bonded title for a heavy truck
- inherited vehicle title options
- abandoned vehicle on private property
- vehicle bought in another state, no title
- Texas VIN and title error fixes
- Texas lost title: duplicate or bond
- abandoned vehicle titles in Texas
- Texas salvage and rebuilt titles
- a vehicle bought out of state, titled in Texas
- titling a trailer in Texas
- Texas VIN inspection and VIN assignment
- where to file a Texas bonded title
- inherited vehicle titles in Texas
Also worth a read: bonded title cost calculator, applying for a bonded title, how long the process runs and bonded or duplicate title.
Nearby states: title rules
Sources (rules as of Sep 30, 2026)
- TxDMV, Bought a Vehicle Without a Title?
- Texas Department of Insurance, Certificate of Title Surety Bonds
- TxDMV, Bonded Title Application / Statement of Fact (VTR-130-SOF)
- TxDMV, Motor Vehicle Appraisal (VTR-125)
- TxDMV, Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U)
- TxDMV, Regional Service Centers
- TxDMV, Motor Vehicle Title Manual (sec. 8.3)
Requirements and fees can change; confirm with TxDMV and your county tax assessor-collector office.
Other bonds in Texas
Title rules in other states
- Alabama vehicle title bond
- Alaska vehicle title bond
- Arizona vehicle title bond
- Arkansas vehicle title bond
- California vehicle title bond
- Colorado vehicle title bond
- Connecticut vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in Delaware
- Florida vehicle title bond
- Georgia vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in Hawaii
- Idaho vehicle title bond
- Illinois vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in Indiana
- Iowa vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in Kansas
- No-bond title routes in Kentucky
- No-bond title routes in Louisiana
- Maine vehicle title bond
- Maryland vehicle title bond
- Massachusetts vehicle title bond
- Michigan vehicle title bond
- Minnesota vehicle title bond
- Mississippi vehicle title bond
- Missouri vehicle title bond
- Montana vehicle title bond
- Nebraska vehicle title bond
- Nevada vehicle title bond
- New Hampshire vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in New Jersey
- New Mexico vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in New York
- North Carolina vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in North Dakota
- No-bond title routes in Ohio
- No-bond title routes in Oklahoma
- No-bond title routes in Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island vehicle title bond
- No-bond title routes in South Carolina
- South Dakota vehicle title bond
- Tennessee vehicle title bond
- Title bond requirements in Utah
- Vermont lost-title help
- Virginia lost-title help
- Title bond requirements in Washington
- West Virginia lost-title help
- Title bond requirements in Wisconsin
- Title bond requirements in Wyoming