Topic: Lost titles and moving to a new state

[vames]

Hey all. I think I know the answer here, but just wanted to check if anyone knows better than me.

I recently moved to from NJ to CA and could not find my damn title for my 400f (and my 72 Dart).

I filled out all the NJ paperwork for a duplicate title and sent it to the dmv in NJ -- TWICE! Absolutely no response -- I sent the first one 4 months ago and the second one two months ago. As for calling them, you can literally be on hold all day waiting to talk to someone, so that hasn't worked either.

Does anybody know if I'd be able to re-title and register these vehicles in CA without a physical copy of the NJ title? I've been reluctant to waste time to go through all the hoops to get into the CA DMV just to have them tell me they can't do it.

So the basic question is: do I put my effort into getting a duplicate title from NJ, or do I just try to transfer it to CA without a title?   

[Don R]

 An old registration may help but that sucks. Motorcycles and boats have the most often lost titles, there should be a better way to remedy it, especially today with the national database of vin's.

[vames]

The CA DMV can clearly see in the national system that I'm the registered owner, so why can't they just title and register it for me here? I think I need to bite the bullet and waste a day trying to get DMV services in the age of COVID.

[Don R]

Exactly.

[gpzkat]

I recently got two bikes with original title in hand but since they were out of the system (DMV seems to purge after a few years) I had to get a new title.  I was happy for this because it meant re-titling and no back fees (both about 20 years so it would be fairly expensive). 

To get a new title for them I had to bring the bike and have the VIN and engine number verified.  On the Suzukis there is a number stamped into the frame and also a foil sticker which had, as usual, been worn down by the cables, but the numbers were still visible.  It seems the stamped numbers should be enough as I've registered older bikes this way without one, but they looked at both.   I had to trailer them in as they were just engine and frame, and brought plate and speedometer too.  You may need to bring your bike there.

Line wasn't bad, took 2 hours to get it all done.

I asked about an old Norton that I have only a bill of sale for, and the guy said sure, bring it in and in addition to verifying the VIN they will need a 'statement of facts' from the seller or last owner, certifying that there is no lien on the bike.  You may need to do this step, just passing on what I have dealt with.  Good luck.

The CA DMV can clearly see in the national system that I'm the registered owner, so why can't they just title and register it for me here? I think I need to bite the bullet and waste a day trying to get DMV services in the age of COVID.

[vames]

I put the question to the CA DMV yesterday. Without a title, they can give me a "non-transferrable" registration. That gets me on the road and gives me time to work out the title on NJ DMV's slow and unresponsive time line.

[Don R]

 That unusually helpful. Good deal.