If the VIN is correct for that plate, take it, with a bill of sale to the DMV, DMV will give you the last known address of the last registered owner (although the records may have been purged), you send a registered letter to the address enclosing a lost title application, if the LRO is still there, they are supposed to have the title app filled in and notarized, then mail it back to you ..OR.. you receive the undelivered registered letter in return, take either back to DMV and they issue a new title. Easy, no back fees. Title transfer is $70 last time I did one (January) and it has to be done within 30 days of the bill of sale date or late fees start to apply.