Help me with a lost title.

As it says I don't have a title for my P71.

Here's the story: I bought a $500 2005 P71 in Montana. It was picked up by my brother who lives out there. Sometime between picking it up for me and getting it out to Illinois for me, he lost the title.

As he explained it to me, the person he bought it from didn't sign it over. It still had the Billings, Montana Police Dept. on the title. My brother did get in contact with the guy he bought it from. He'll be sending a notarized bill of sail to my brother.

My question is, since most of the parties involved are in Montana, would it be smarter, easier, cheaper to have a replacement title issued in Montana, and then transferred over in Illinois, or just do it in Illinois altogether?

My worry is the bill of sail being used in Illinois. I've heard that there are often time problems in this uptight state doing it that way.

I'd pay for the previous owner to get a new title, and maybe even for his troubles. Then have him sign it over to you and send it in right away to your state's DMV to get it in your name.

It sounds like the police department would have to get the title. If I'm reading correctly, the previous owner never sent in for the title.

That's what I think my brother told me. What if the previous owner (the guy, not the police) did title it? Would that change how you'd go about it?

The main reason I'm asking all this is Illinois has a reputation for making lost titles situations like this a real PITA.

I'd go back to the guy that is sending the Bill of Sale. And make your brother figure everything out.

1. Move out of Illinois.
2. Acquire title through DMV using the notarized bill of sale.

That'll probably be easier to do than to acquire a title with a bill of sale in your state.

Just talked to my brother. He said the title was in the guy's name. He'll send a notarized letter with power of attorney over the car. I'm not sure as to what that means. I'm on hold with Illinois' DMV right now.

My fears of the Illinois DMV were justified. $95 to send out their form, and then $95 to transfer the title. Plus registration, plates, and taxes. Oi!

Here's to hope, hope, hoping the previous owner opts to help me by getting a replacement title in Montana. I will be sending him money for his troubles if he does so.

Typically the former owner would need to apply for a lost title, sign it over to you and mail.

spitfirebill wrote: Typically the former owner would need to apply for a lost title, sign it over to you and mail.

This.

If the PO actually titled it in his name, this is the easiest course of action. Filing for a lost title reprint is easy so long as the title was actually in his name. Reward him for his time however you see fit.

Then it's just a regular old title transfer.

Atlanta? You guys down there don't have tiles on old/cheap cars, correct?

Appleseed wrote: Just talked to my brother. He said the title was in the guy's name.

In that case the previous owner should simply be able to apply for a lost title. It's typically a nominal fee in most states. Once he gets the new paper, he then signs it and sends it to you.

Considering the potential $190 I'd ask him if $50 is worth his trouble. Does that seem reasonable?

If the car is titled in Montana, it should only cost the previous owner $10 to apply for a lost title. https://doj.mt.gov/driving/vehicle-title-and-registration/