Texas Certificate of Title Bond Guide
SuretyBonds.com provides the fastest and easiest way to get a Texas bonded title. Learn how to navigate the lost vehicle title bonding process with this complete guide.
Bond Overview
- Purpose: To guarantee legal ownership of a vehicle and protect previous and future owners
- Who Needs It: Individuals looking to register a vehicle without a valid title
- Regulating Body: The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles
- Required Amount: 1.5x the vehicle value, as determined by the DMV
- Premium Rate: Typically $15/$1,000 with a $100 minimum
What Is a Texas Bonded Title?
A Texas bonded title is simply a vehicle title backed by a surety bond. It proves you are the legal owner of a vehicle when the original title is invalid, unavailable or can not be transferred.
What Is a Texas Certificate of Title Bond?
Texas Transportation Code Section 501.53 requires a title surety bond when registering vehicles with lost, missing or stolen titles.
Texas certificate of title bonds protect prior owners, lien holders, and potential future owners against expenses, losses or damages resulting from title issuance.
How Much Do Title Bonds Cost in Texas?
Texas certificate of title bond costs start at $100 for the 3-year term. Exact costs vary depending on the surety bond amount required by the TxDMV:
- $100–$10,000 Bond: Costs $100
- $10,001–$50,000 Bond: Costs $10/ $1,000 of coverage, starting at $100
- $50,000 Bond: Prices start at $750, application required
Select your bond amount below to get started.
SuretyBonds.com offers the lowest available rates from our nationwide provider network with no added fees. If you need a bonded title for a boat, visit our Texas Boat Certificate of Title Bond Guide.
Who Needs a Certificate of Title Bond?
You might need a surety bond if you've lost your vehicle's original title or otherwise have insufficient vehicle ownership evidence.
If there is a lien on the vehicle, you will not be eligible for a bonded title.
If you're planning to sell vehicles, a separate Texas motor vehicle dealer bond is required.
How Does a Texas Title Bond Work?
A Texas title bond binds three parties in a legal contract:
- Principal: The vehicle owner filing the bond
- Obligee: The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles requiring the bond
- Surety: The provider issuing the bond
By filing this bond, you verify you are the vehicle's sole, legal owner to the best of your knowledge. If the original title is found or recovered, a claim can be made against the bond.
The surety company will pay valid claims up to the full bond amount, which you must reimburse.
How Do I Get a Certificate of Title Bond in Texas?
You can buy your Texas lost title bond online 24/7 at SuretyBonds.com. You'll need to provide the following information approval:
- Vehicle owner name and address
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- Vehicle year, make, model, and body type
Once your payment is processed, we’ll email your official title surety bond instantly.
How Fast Can I Get My Bond?
If your bond amount is below $50,000, you can buy and receive your bond instantly online.
For bond coverage over $50,000, we can typically process applications same-day. Apply now to get started.
How to Get a Bonded Title in Texas
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) enforces vehicle registration requirements and processes duplicate and lost title applications. Follow these five steps to apply for your Texas bonded title.
Step 1: Verify your eligibility
Before starting your application, verify you as the vehicle owner and your vehicle meet TxDMV bonded title requirements.
As the vehicle owner, you must be a resident of Texas or a military personnel stationed in Texas. You must also legally possess the vehicle in question, and it cannot be junked or nonrepairable.
Step 2: Get a vehicle inspection (if out of state)
If you're a Texas resident but your vehicle was purchased out of state, you'll need to have your vehicle inspected at a certified safety inspection station. The inspector will provide a Vehicle Inspection Report to verify the VIN.
If your vehicle has never been titled or registered in Texas, you'll need to provide a Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection form, also known as a VTR-68-A form.
Step 3: Submit documents to the DMV
Next, complete and submit several materials to your local TxDMV office:
- Bonded Title Application (Form VTR-130-SOF)
- Vehicle Inspection Form (if applicable)
- Law Enforcement Identification Number Inspection form (if applicable)
- If available, any proof of ownership
- Valid photo ID
- $15 administration fee
Wait for approval from the DMV to move on to the next step.
Step 4: Receive Notice of Determination
The TxDMV will issue you a Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing (form VTR-130-ND) that lists your required bond amount, equal to exactly 1.5 times your vehicle value.
If your vehicle is 25+ years old and has an appraisal value under $4,000, your surety bond amount will be set at $4,000.
Step 5: Purchase your surety bond
Next, use your Notice of Determination for Bonded Title or Tax Assessor-Collector Hearing form to buy your Texas title bond online.
Texas title bond premiums start at $100 and are typically digitally delivered in minutes. Print, sign and file the physical bond form with your local DMV.
When purchasing your bond, make sure your name, address and vehicle information match what is listed on the Notice of Determination exactly.
Can I Update My Bond Form?
Yes, the most common changes for Texas title bond forms include updating the:
- Vehicle information
- Owner name
- Address
If your SuretyBonds.com bond form needs amended for any reason, email customercare@suretybonds.com to explain the request.
Can I Get a Bonded Title With Bad Credit?
Yes, these bonds are typically available for instant purchase with no credit check. If your bond does require an application, we’ll search for the best available rate.
Do I Need to Renew My Bonded Title?
Texas title bonds and bonded titles do not renew.
Your vehicle will be bonded for 3 years. The TxDMV will then return the bond as long as there are no pending claims against the bond.
What Is a Notice of Determination?
A Texas Notice of Determination is a legal document that the DMV issues to state a vehicle’s ownership is unable to be verified.
It states the exact title bond amount required to receive a bonded title for vehicle registration.
Can I Register a Car With a Bill of Sale and No Title in Texas?
No, you must have a title to register a vehicle in Texas.
However, if you only have a bill of sale, you can apply for a bonded title which will allow you to register the car.
Can I Sell a Vehicle With a Bonded Title in Texas?
Yes, a Texas bonded title allows you to register, insure and transfer ownership of a vehicle when the original title is lost.
The certificate of title bond provides security for the vehicle purchaser.
