# Can I sell my car without a title in hand? (it's lost)

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-sell-my-car-without-a-title-in-hand-its-lost/145894>\
**Category:** General Discussion\
**Created:** [August 3, 2019, 4:03pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-sell-my-car-without-a-title-in-hand-its-lost/145894 "2019-08-03T16:03:29Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 3

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TwinTurbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8baadc/32.png) [@TwinTurbo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/TwinTurbo)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 1:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-sell-my-car-without-a-title-in-hand-its-lost/145894/41 "2019-08-08T13:12:11Z")

</div>

> [@Bill\_Mahelona](#):
>
> What you said is true, but you were talking about selling without a title.

I’m just responding to your comments:

> [@Bill\_Mahelona](#):
>
> However, until the title transfers, you’re on the hook for damages if the pending owner has an accident.

And

> [@Bill\_Mahelona](#):
>
> Also, the car can’t be insured or registered without a title transfer. IT’S STILL YOUR CAR!

Both of which are not true.

> [@Bill\_Mahelona](#):
>
> As for your comment on a new car: The dealership does own the car. If you finance it,

Now we’re deviating from the original contested comments regarding who owns what until title transfer. Personally, I have never financed a new car. I always pay cash and have done so numerous times. So I do own the car the day I drive it off the lot, regardless of the processing time for the title application.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![MikeInNH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a587f6/32.png) [@MikeInNH](https://community.cartalk.com/u/MikeInNH)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 3:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-sell-my-car-without-a-title-in-hand-its-lost/145894/42 "2019-08-08T15:21:42Z")

</div>

> [@TwinTurbo](#):
>
> ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/2/92074b2c06587d152b8ddded10b277557222999c.png) Bill\_Mahelona:
> 
> > However, until the title transfers, you’re on the hook for damages if the pending owner has an accident.
> 
> And
> 
> ![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/2/92074b2c06587d152b8ddded10b277557222999c.png) Bill\_Mahelona:
> 
> > Also, the car can’t be insured or registered without a title transfer. IT’S STILL YOUR CAR!
> 
> Both of which are not true.

TwinTurbo is correct.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [August 8, 2019, 5:02pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-sell-my-car-without-a-title-in-hand-its-lost/145894/43 "2019-08-08T17:02:02Z")

</div>

A bill fo sale can be faked though; even a notarized one. Last week the small town clerk/treasurer in an adjoining small town had felony charges filed for embezzlement. Come to find out she was also playing free and loose with her notary stamp.

[Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/can-i-sell-my-car-without-a-title-in-hand-its-lost/145894.md?page=2)