Finding your car title can sometimes be complicated, especially when the vehicle is owned by a business or held in a trust. Understanding the specific requirements for these situations is crucial to ensure a smooth process. This guide will clarify what you need to locate your car title when dealing with business or trust ownership.
Vehicle Titles Under Business Names
If your car is titled under a business name, obtaining the title requires more than just personal identification. To properly access and manage a vehicle title held by a business, you’ll typically need to provide both your identification and proof of your authority to act on behalf of the company. This often includes presenting an original business card. Alternatively, you can provide an authorization letter on company letterhead. This letter must validate your authority and should be signed by a company representative other than yourself to confirm its legitimacy.
Understanding Titles for Vehicles in Trusts
When a vehicle title is held in a trust, accessing it necessitates proving your role as the trustee. The current trustee applying for title-related actions must present their personal identification. Furthermore, to officially verify the trustee’s authority, you will generally need to support your application with one of the following documents:
- Affidavit of Trust: A sworn statement confirming the trust’s existence and the trustee’s role.
- Statement of Fact for a Trust: A factual declaration outlining key details of the trust agreement.
- Original or Certified Copy of the Trust Agreement: The complete legal document establishing the trust and outlining trustee powers.
Power of Attorney and Vehicle Titles
Using a Power of Attorney (POA) to manage a vehicle title adds another layer to the process. If a Power of Attorney is being used, alongside the standard requirements for business or trust titles, you must also provide:
- Identification for the Attorney-in-Fact: Current identification matching the person named as the power of attorney.
- Identification for the Owner/Lienholder: Acceptable current identification of the vehicle owner or lienholder.
- Business Authorization for Business POA: If the power of attorney is granted to a business, you’ll need an original business card or an authorization letter on the company’s letterhead, confirming the employee’s authority to act under the POA.
For businesses acting as power of attorney, it’s essential to provide a letter confirming signature authority on official company letterhead, a business card, or a copy of the employee’s identification to validate their right to sign on behalf of the business.
For any further questions or if you need more detailed assistance in finding your car title under these special circumstances, it’s best to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or relevant vehicle titling agency. They can provide specific guidance based on your location and situation.
