Question 4: How do I title a vehicle that has a salvage notation on the record?

How do I title a vehicle that has a salvage title or a salvage notation on the record?

To obtain a salvage title, the VTR-441 Application for Salvage Vehicle Title or Non-repairable Vehicle Title should be completed and mailed to the address for TxDMV shown on the application.  TxDMV will issue a salvage title and mail it to the owner or lienholder, as applicable.  Search for the form on the TxDMV website.

If you have bought a vehicle from a regular Texas dealer and you are a Texas resident, the dealership will transfer the title at the tax office.  However, individuals must come in or mail the documents to the county tax office of the buyer or lienholder.  The buyer, seller, or lienholder may transfer title with the appropriate documents.  The seller (other than a dealer) or lienholder must also provide a Permission Letter from the buyer and an acceptable form of ID for the buyer.

The vehicle must be repaired once it has been issued a salvage title before a regular Texas title can be issued.  It is recommended that you keep the receipts for all repairs, parts, and services.  Once repairs are complete, obtain a new vehicle safety inspection from a Texas Inspection Station if you wish to obtain registration; otherwise, if applying for a title transfer only then you will need to complete the form VTR-270 Vehicle Identification Number Certification.  The following items must be brought in or mailed to the county tax office where you reside:  

1.    Original Salvage Vehicle Title signed by the seller(s) and buyer(s).  If the vehicle is less than 20 years old, the odometer reading is required for

       most vehicles.  Learn more about odometer readings on the TXDMV website.

       Erasures, mark-throughs and alterations are not acceptable in most cases.  An affidavit of fact signed by the seller is necessary to correct

       errors on a title assignment.

2.    VTR-130U (Application for Texas Title).  The form is available on the TxDMV website.  If the vehicle is less than 20 years old, the odometer reading is

       required for most vehicles and must be completed without errors.  The sales price section must also be completed without errors. 

3.    VTR-61 (Rebuilt Affidavit) Find the form on the TxDMV website.

4.    Lien Release, if applicable

5.    Vehicle Inspection Report (Not applicable if applying for a title only; Form VTR-270 Vehicle Identification Number Certification is required instead)  

6.    Acceptable form of ID

7.    Proof of Insurance (Not applicable if applying for a title only)

8.    $65 Rebuilt Salvage Fee, plus $33 title fee, tax if applicable, and registration fees (unless processing as a title transfer only without registration).

The vehicle title will be appropriately branded, and the vehicle may be operated on public roadways only if the vehicle is registered at the time of titling.   

Contact us by email if you need more information, or visit us at any of our locations.