We broke down how to order a duplicate title and sell your car in five steps.įor most people, the best solution will be to apply for a duplicate title at the local DMV. While it may take extra waiting time, it’s fairly easy to replace your title. You’ll need to plan ahead and request a duplicate title, which can take weeks or longer, depending on your local DMV. Private party sales do require a title in hand to transfer ownership, though. Even without a title, you could start your trade in today with a Rocket Auto SM dealership partner. Compared to a private party sale, trade-ins through dealerships in ELT-eligible states are far more convenient. Dealerships can access the entire ELT system to confirm and transfer ownership. If you live in one of the 24 states that has an Electronic Lien and Titling (ELT) Program, you can trade in your car without a title. We’ll dive deeper into all your options later on. Sometimes, you may not even need a title to sell your car. The simplest solution is to request a duplicate title through your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). That said, it’s not uncommon to discover that you don’t have your car’s title in your possession. Selling a car without proof of ownership is illegal in most states. Yes, you can sell a car without a title if you have proof of ownership.