Are you thinking about selling your car only to realize you don’t have a copy of your title? If you live in Washington, D.C., you have to visit the District of Columbia Department of Motor Vehicles. Here’s the process for getting a copy of a D.C.-registered vehicle’s title.
When applying in-person, you have to provide:
- Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application (must be signed by all owners);
- Valid photo identification;
- A fully executed Vehicle Power of Attorney Form if you are not the owner, but requesting the duplicate title for the owner; and
- At least one of these items: vehicle renewal notice, vehicle registration, vehicle identification number, D.C. DMV title number, or vehicle tag number.
Both online and in-person options have the same vehicle title and excise tax fees:
Title information request: $7
Vehicle title only (new and replacement): $26
Duplicate title: $26
Lien recordation (if vehicle is financed): $20/lien
If you want to get a copy or duplicate of your D.C.-registered vehicle’s title, you can either apply in-person at a DMV location or you can complete the form online. After processing, it can take up to 10 business days to receive your title, regardless of the application method.
Frequently Asked Questions About D.C. Titles
Getting a duplicate title in Washington, D.C. is fairly straightforward; however, there are lots of nuances surrounding them. Here are a few of the most commonly asked D.C. title questions; if you don’t see your questions answered, reach out to the DMV directly.
How Long Does it Take the D.C. DMV to Mail a Duplicate Title Out?
Duplicate titles are mailed out to the primary owner’s address on file within 10 business days of processing.
Can I Get a Duplicate Title in Person?
No. Titles are not issued over the counter.
Can I Get a Duplicate Title Instantly Online?
No. All titles are mailed out within 10 business days.
How Do I Transfer a Title in D.C. When Selling or Buying a Vehicle?
Sellers remove their license tags and transfer them with the sale or send them back to the D.C. DMV (either in person at a service center or via mail). Then sign the assignment section of the Certificate of Title and provide the document to the buyer.
Buyers obtain the signed title from the seller and a completed Bill of Sale (if applicable). Gather the signed title or the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin for new vehicles, the Bill of Sale, proof of valid D.C. vehicle insurance, Vehicle Inspection Certificate (if required), and your D.C. driver license or non-driver ID card. Finally, complete the D.C. DMV Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application.
Can I Get a Copy of My Car Title in D.C. if it Has a Lien on It?
No. You cannot get a duplicate vehicle title in D.C. if there’s a lien on it. First the lien must be released through the lienholder sending the D.C. DMC the original title or a lien-release letter. At this point, you can request a duplicate title.
Do All Owners Have to Sign a Vehicle Title in D.C. When Selling a Car?
Yes. In Washington, D.C., if there are multiple owners listed on the vehicle’s title, each owner must sign it over on the back of the title when selling.
How Do I Remove a Co-Owner from a Vehicle Title in D.C.?
Both parties have to sign the back as sellers when removing a co-owner from a vehicle title in D.C. The remaining owner then signs as the buyer, at which point the vehicle can be titled and registered for a standard fee.
