Registering an our of state vehicle in NJ (Deal: insurance, loan)

[ca2ny]

We moved from California, so have to re-register cars here in NJ. We already got insurance policies issued in NJ, and one car was registered (MVC took the California title, and issued a new NJ title).

For the second car, we can't easily locate the title ... chance are it got packed in some wrong box. It does not have a lien (never had a loan). So one option is to get a duplicate title issued by California DMV ... this is totally doable ($18, some notarization, and probably 3-4 weeks of processing time).

But I am wondering if there are any other options? After all, all the various state DMVs have license, registration and ownership data in their databases, and, at least for DL info, states share data with each other. Do they also share title info? Would NJ MVC be able to electronically verify the ownership from CA DMV?

[ca2ny]

Sorry abotu typo in subject line.... meant OUT of state, not "our of state".

[Ananas87]

Did a dealership issue the original title? It might be quicker to call up the dealership and have them resend it.

[rscalzo]

Did a dealership issue the original title?

Dealers do not issue titles. They only facilitate the paperwork when you buy the vehicle.

I like CA's Electronic Title system although it won't help with a NJ transfer.

As far as a electronic lookup, the ability to verify ownership is possible but they will not use it for a vehicle transfer and I'd say it's likely the clerks don't have access as the system to access in state and out of state are different. . The CA Request for Duplicate Title is online so I'd just go ahead and request the dup and go that route.

[ca2ny]

Originally Posted by rscalzo

Dealers do not issue titles. They only facilitate the paperwork when you buy the vehicle.

I like CA's Electronic Title system although it won't help with a NJ transfer.

As far as a electronic lookup, the ability to verify ownership is possible but they will not use it for a vehicle transfer and I'd say it's likely the clerks don't have access as the system to access in state and out of state are different. . The CA Request for Duplicate Title is online so I'd just go ahead and request the dup and go that route.

We are requesting duplicate title by mail.

To request it online, we need a "secure online account" with CA DMV. One of the requirements is to have a CA DL. But we already switched our CA DL with NJ DL, so CA DL is no longer valid. Also, to request duplicate title by mail, the address where it is to be mailed should match the address on previous title, i.e., old address. So the duplicate title will go to the old address, and then come here (most likely post office forwarding will intercept it before delivery, but even if it is delivered, the new tenant will mail it to us).

[rscalzo]

One of the requirements is to have a CA DL

It's probably still listed with CA as valid. Been a while but they never had notations of a change of state on the readout. But as they will be sending it to your former address which is the norm in most states, it won't save you that much time. I really wouldn't sweat it.