[dpoltzer]

I am considering the purchase of a 1972 FB in Georgia that has a current tag receipt/registration but no Title. The car will be valuable when completed if I were to purchase. Anyone know if there is a way to obtain a new title when the original has been lost? Is this expensive? Thanks

[njsteve]

Does Georgia require a title for cars over 20 years old? Can you register it without a title in Georgia where you live?

[ponyakr]

In LA, you can apply for a lost title, but it will go to whoever the last registered title holder was. Then it would be up to that person if they wanted to sign it over to you or not. They could legally take possession of the car if they so choose. A Bill of Sale will not transfer the title from seller to buyer.

Unless the laws have changed, you can get a B of S from somebody you know, who lives in Alabama. You give them the VIN, and they would act as tho they were selling the car to you. At, least that's the way it was explained to me. This was true a few years back. If you have a good friend or relative in AL, ask 'em about it.

There are some guys on this forum, who live in AL. Maybe some of 'em will chime in here. Also, if the car shows up on the stolen list, that would be different.

Title laws differ from state to state. In LA I think any auto repair shop or wrecker service, and possibly other auto related businesses. that have a legal holding pen, can hold a car for a certain period of time, then get papers so they can sell the car, in order to recoup anything they were owed for repair work or towing fees. So, I suppose if you have a good friend, in the business, they might could help you.

Hey, you might also ask around to some in the used car business. If there is a way in your state, some of them will know about it.

[dpoltzer]

You are correct in that a Title is not required in GA in order to get a registration and plates. Some day I suppose I would sell the car and I would just feel better having a title. Also, the next buyer if out of state would also feel better having a title. I do have a good friend in AL but he probably does not know much about titles etc.

[Formulabruce]

Title IS Possible.. Would GA get you a New title if the guy selling had a title and you bought it, then registered it? ? Of would you rely on that previous title?

[72projectbird]

Whenever I buy a car from a non title state, this is what I do.

Obtain the registration from the car, and a bill of sale. Take these to the DMV and fill out an RMV-1 form, which is an application for a title. You'll then hand them the RMV-1 form, previous registration, and the bill of sale, and you'll walk out of there with a registration in your name. The title will come in the mail in about 2 weeks.

[murphc4]

If it's a Georgia car and never had a title, then all you have to do when transferring the registration is request a title and pay the fee. I did this with my 73.

If it had a title but is lost, then there is a form to fill out for a lost title and an inspection by the local PD, and you typically have to get a title bond which your insurance company should sell you. I had to do that when purchasing a camper last year, but I believe the process is the same for a motor vehicle.

[frank.g]

Make sure the bill of sale is notarized. Make sure the notary puts their stamp and signature on the actual bill of sale, not an addendum sheet. I bought a Georgia no-title car last August and got it titled in New Jersey. It required these steps.

[jwcfbd]

Originally Posted by dpoltzer

I am considering the purchase of a 1972 FB in Georgia that has a current tag receipt/registration but no Title. The car will be valuable when completed if I were to purchase. Anyone know if there is a way to obtain a new title when the original has been lost? Is this expensive? Thanks

https://dor.georgia.gov/replace-lost-or-stolen-title

I had to have my out of state title corrected when I bought my Firebird. I had to have the police verify the correct vin number and GA had to check with WA to make sure they could correct it. Once everything was in order I was told I didn't need a GA title. I told them I wanted one so it cost me a few bucks and I walked out of the office with one in hand. This was done at the title office near the airport.
Being that your's is from in state it should be a lot easier but the current owner may have to request the title first.

[dpoltzer]

Thanks again for all of the input Guys!!

[FunctionalShaker]

In some states you can do what is called a quiet title. Get a bill of sale if possible. Some states might have forms, others will require you make your own. You then post an ad in the paper to see if anyone comes forth with proof of ownership/legal interest in the car. Or send a registered letter to the last known owner's address. If no one claims it, you then take the paperwork to a judge and he'll authorize a new title in your name. And if you get a nice judge, like I did to help, it's actually pretty easy to do.

There are also title search companies that, for a fee will help you get a new title.

[dpoltzer]

Thanks again everyone! The seller is getting squirrely on me and the deal may not happen. We will wait and see.

[Jerry H.]

I don't know how long ago you Georgia posters worked with the Georgia DMV, but recently I could NOT get a title transferred on a 71 model. At my local office they told me they had recently quit issuing titles for older vehicles (I can't remember the exact year cutoff). They said if I turned it in it would just get shredded, so I just got a Bill of Sale. Bill of Sale with insurance card is all I needed to get it registered; plus I kept the old title.

Just a couple of weeks ago I registered my 66 Ventura with just a Bill of Sale and insurance card. I didn't even need a Notary Stamp on the Bill of Sale. But I do know that if I sell a car out of state to most states with just a registration they will require a notarized Bill of Sale.

[LOADED 70 JUDGE]

I live in Alabama and they started issuing titles in 1974.You cannot get a title on 1973 and back.. I bought my 1972 Transam with no title and at least 10 other classic cars with no title . If the car comes from a no title state and has a registration I would not worry about it.

[jwcfbd]

Originally Posted by dpoltzer

Thanks again everyone! The seller is getting squirrely on me and the deal may not happen. We will wait and see.

If the seller is getting weird I would be very careful. If there aren't any problems selling a car I would have no problem doing whatever I could do to make the sale easier on the buyer (within reason). I would without question get the VIN checked before you give him a dime. Good luck I hope it all works out for you.

[dpoltzer]

After listing the car on Craigslist with a lot of good info I called the seller and he answered all my questions. I called him the next day to make an appointment to see the car and he had excuses for not being able to show me the car. He then went on to say that unless I brought $3,500 more than what he was asking in the ad that he would sell the car to other interested parties. I told him if the other ("alleged") parties fell thru to give me a call back. We will see??

[Transamric]

Ouch! Sounds too squirrelly for me. Be very careful.

[Transamric]

Is Titles Unlimited in Birmingham still in business? Many years ago I got a new title for a TA that was bought at an impound yard which had no title & it was off my states records.

[dpoltzer]

They are now out of business but thanks anyway TARIC.