What Does a Car Title Look Like?
In the United States, a car title is a document that identifies the legal owner of a car. Different states in the US have different rules for the car title process, so the details can vary slightly depending on which state your car title is issued in.
This guide provides a comprehensive overview of what does a car title look like and what information it includes. If you are purchasing a new car, you should familiarize yourself with what a car title looks like, to ensure that you are not tricked by a scammer with a fake car title selling motor vehicles.
Car Title Elements
While additional details may vary in different states, most states have a similar format and include the same key elements:
Color: Pink Is the Thing of the Past
Car titles were historically referred to as pink slips in the US, and sometimes people still use this term. It originates from the car titles that were issued in California prior to 1988, as they were colored pink. Since 1988, the design of vehicle titles in the US has evolved with technology and the designs are more difficult for fraudsters to create fake car titles.
The design and colors vary across the different states but in California, for example, the California certificate has vertical strips of teal, yellow and pink, with a green border. Some states have purple borders and some have blue. The title should feature a watermark and when you are purchasing a vehicle, you should check for the watermark to ensure the document is authentic.
Your Name
The car title includes the owner's name and it is important that the owner's full name is correct to avoid any issues with insurance, completing DMV activities such as renewing license plates, or selling the vehicle.
VIN: Vehicle Identification Number
The VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) is unique to the vehicle and helps to prevent stolen cars from being sold. You can check the vehicle history report by using an online checker to verify that the VIN is valid for the vehicle. For example, you can use a free online VIN check from FLHSMV to verify the car title is valid in Florida.
The VIN is a 17-character combination of numbers and letters and it can be found on the lower left side of the dashboard. It may also appear in the car frame or under the spare tire.
The title will also include the make and model of the car, the year of manufacture, and the color of the vehicle.
The Total Distance a Car Has Traveled
This element of the car title shows the recorded mileage on the odometer. When registering an out-of-state car, some states require that the odometer reading needs to be verified by an approved motor vehicle center or local DMV. This helps to prevent fraud where a seller could try to get more money for a vehicle that has lower mileage.
If you are unsure as to whether the mileage on the odometer is genuine, it is a good idea to check the vehicle's history report, as this should help identify if the current odometer reading is authentic.
Car’s Weight Class
The car's weight class is important because it determines the taxation class for the vehicle, as well as providing important information for driving somewhere where there is restricted weight loads for motor vehicles.
Contact Information - If There Is a Lien on the Vehicle
If the vehicle has been purchased through a financing lender, the outstanding liens will be included on the vehicle title, with information about the lender. Where a vehicle is bought using a financial lender, the car title will usually be kept by the lender until the outstanding payments are completed. The lienholder information is important because if the vehicle is involved in an accident or theft, they are the financial owners and need to be informed.
Finalizing the Car Title Document: Assignment Section
The title must include the signatures of the buyer, seller, and representative of the state. When the car is being sold, the document must be signed by both the buyer and seller (in the seller section) to complete the legal sale of the vehicle.
How to Replace a Car Title
In the event that a car title becomes lost or damaged, it is a fairly straightforward process to obtain a duplicate title. If you misplace a title you should order a duplicate as soon as possible to avoid possible fines if you are stopped by a police officer and asked to produce your documents.
Although you will have seven days in most states to produce your documents, it may take longer to obtain a copy. You can request a duplicate vehicle title using online services such as Swift-tags.com to speed up the process.
What Does a Car Title Look Like: The Summary
A car title or pink slip as it has often been called in the US is an important legal document that establishes the owner of a vehicle and can be required by a police officer or insurance company.
It is also an important document for the selling process for a vehicle, confirming who the seller and new owner are. You should keep your car title in a safe place to avoid losing it but you can also obtain electronic titles which you can easily produce on your phone if requested by a police officer or other authority.
The appearance of your car title may differ from some of the examples you see online for other states, so it is important to check what the specific title design is for the state you are buying a vehicle in. The information included in the car title will be similar across all states, including:
- VIN
- Name and address of the owner
- Odometer reading
- Weight class
- Lien contact information (if applicable)
When you are purchasing a used car, then the car title will need to be transferred into your name, so having an authentic title is essential for legally transferring the ownership of the vehicle.
This description covering what a car title looks like should help to ensure you have the correct documentation to transfer the title. This is even more important if you pay cash for a vehicle, as there will be no financial transaction evidence for the purchase of the vehicle to verify vehicle ownership. If you buy a vehicle through a private individual, you should also be warier about checking that the car title is genuine.
When buying a new vehicle, the car dealership should provide you with the car title, unless you use a finance company, in which case the title is usually provided to the lienholder until the driver owns the vehicle outright.
Are You Looking for Title Services? Swift-Tags Is a Reliable Online Service Provider
Whether you are looking to process a title transfer or order a duplicate title because you no longer have the original title, Swift-tags.com provides reliable and professional online services.
As well as providing a faster and more convenient method for services including registration renewal, title transfer, and title replacement, we offer expert support to help with any issues that you may have with license or vehicle documentation.
By using our simple online processes, you can avoid time-consuming visits to the DMV office and make sure that you are legally compliant with the driving document requirements in your state. We also send renewal reminders to make sure that you do not miss your renewal and risk driving without the correct legal documentation for your vehicle, avoiding fines and any additional legal issues.
