{"id":3172,"date":"2025-04-30T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T13:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogtwincitstg.wpenginepowered.com\/?p=3172"},"modified":"2026-11-07T12:08:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-07T12:08:00","slug":"buy-car-without-title-minnesota","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/","title":{"rendered":"Buying a Car Without a Title in Minnesota (2026): What Is Legal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You found a cheap car, and the seller says the title is lost, never existed, or is \u201ccoming later.\u201d You want a straight answer: can you legally buy it in Minnesota, and can you ever drive it?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Short version: buying it is legal, but until Minnesota DVS issues a title in your name, you cannot plate it, register it, or sell it. Here is the real path to a title, what it costs, and when to walk away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather skip the paperwork? <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/cars\/minnesota\/under-2500\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">See cars under $2,500 in Minnesota<\/span><\/a> that show the title status, a free Carfax, and the full inspection on every listing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote rs-answer-box is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes, you can buy a car without a title in Minnesota, but you cannot register or plate it until DVS issues a title in your name. A bill of sale alone does not transfer ownership. For a vehicle more than five years old you can apply for a bonded title, which needs a surety bond of 1.5 times the value DVS sets, held for three years.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"rs-updated wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Updated October 31, 2026. Checked against Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (dps.mn.gov) and Minnesota Statutes 168A.07 and chapter 168B.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-1024x683.webp\" alt=\"Used car for sale in Minnesota without a title\" class=\"wp-image-3173\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-1024x683.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-300x200.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-768x512.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-840x560.webp 840w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-120x80.webp 120w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-360x240.webp 360w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title-600x400.webp 600w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/car-wo-title.webp 1536w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-key-takeaways\">Key takeaways<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Legal to buy, not to plate:<\/strong> no Minnesota law stops you from paying for a car with no title, but DVS will not register it to you without a title in your name.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A bill of sale is evidence, not ownership:<\/strong> DVS asks for one with a no proof of ownership application, but it does not replace the title.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Bonded title for older cars:<\/strong> if the vehicle is more than five years old, DVS can issue a title branded \u201cBONDED\u201d once you post a surety bond worth 1.5 times the value it sets.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Newer cars need a court order:<\/strong> if the car is five years old or newer, or you cannot get a bonded title, DVS says you may need a court order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Most no title deals are a bad trade:<\/strong> unless the price is parts or scrap money, a car that comes with its title is almost always cheaper in the end.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-can-you-buy-a-car-without-a-title-in-minnesota\">Can you buy a car without a title in Minnesota?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yes. Handing someone cash for a car with no title is not a crime in itself. The problem starts the moment you try to use it. In Minnesota the certificate of title is the proof of ownership, and DVS titles and registers a vehicle on the same application. No title in your name means no plates, no registration, and no clean way to sell it later.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">DVS does give you a way out. Its <a href=\"https:\/\/dps.mn.gov\/divisions\/dvs\/vehicle\/vehicle-titles\/no-proof-ownership-vehicle-title-application\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">no proof of ownership vehicle title application<\/span><\/a> covers four situations: there is no title for the vehicle, you do not have the most current title, you cannot get a lien release, or you cannot get one or more required signatures on the title.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the title exists but was lost, the easier fix is for the seller to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/duplicate-car-title-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">apply for a duplicate Minnesota title<\/span><\/a> before you pay. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/lost-stolen-title-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">a lost or stolen Minnesota title<\/span><\/a> walks through that side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-happens-if-you-buy-a-car-without-a-title\">What happens if you buy a car without a title?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You own a car you cannot legally put on the road until DVS agrees you own it. Along the way, you carry these risks:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The seller may not own it:<\/strong> a stolen car, or one that belongs to a lender, can be taken back from you.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A lien can follow the car:<\/strong> if a lender still has a claim, you need a lien release or the no proof of ownership route.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A hidden brand:<\/strong> the car may carry a salvage or other brand on its record. See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/salvage-titles-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">salvage and rebuilt titles in Minnesota<\/span><\/a>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No warranty from a private seller:<\/strong> a private sale is usually as-is, and our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/minnesota-lemon-law-auction-purchases\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">the Minnesota lemon law and used cars<\/span><\/a> explains why the lemon law rarely helps.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Money tied up for years:<\/strong> a bonded title needs a surety bond of 1.5 times the value DVS sets, and DVS holds it for three years.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>No guaranteed outcome:<\/strong> DVS reviews each application and decides which documents it needs. Paying first and hoping is the expensive order of operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"967\" height=\"273\" sizes=\"(max-width: 967px) 100vw, 967px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vhr-1.webp\" alt=\"Vehicle history report used to check a car without a title\" class=\"wp-image-2454\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vhr-1.webp 967w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vhr-1-300x85.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/vhr-1-768x217.webp 768w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before you hand over money, run the VIN through the <a href=\"https:\/\/vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov\/nmvtis_vehiclehistory\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">NMVTIS vehicle history check<\/span><\/a> and a full history report. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/vehicle-history-reports-guide\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">vehicle history report guide<\/span><\/a> explains what each report shows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-a-bill-of-sale-does-in-minnesota\">What does a bill of sale do without a title in Minnesota?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It proves you bought the car from someone. It does not prove that person owned it, and it does not put the car in your name. DVS treats it as one supporting document in a no proof of ownership application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When DVS finds no vehicle record, it asks for a bill of sale that identifies the vehicle (year, make, and VIN), the date of sale, and the buyer\u2019s name. If you do not have one, DVS says to have the seller sign the seller section of the title application. Either way, get the seller\u2019s full name and phone number, because you may need their signature again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-how-to-get-a-title-for-a-car-without-a-title\">How do you get a title for a car without a title in Minnesota?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You apply to DVS through the no proof of ownership process. The documents depend on one thing: whether the vehicle has a record in the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). To find out, visit a deputy registrar office or contact DVS.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>If DVS finds a vehicle record<\/th><th>If DVS finds no vehicle record<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Affidavit of Due Diligence (PS2026), completed and notarized<\/td><td>Statement of Facts (PS2002) explaining why no proof of ownership exists, signed by the seller if it is a transfer<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Application to Title and Register (PS2000), with full description and VIN<\/td><td>Application to Title and Register (PS2000), with full description and VIN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Clear photos of all four sides plus the VIN<\/td><td>Bill of sale with year, make, VIN, sale date and buyer name, or the seller\u2019s signature on the application<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Any title documents, bill of sale or registration you have<\/td><td>Clear photos of all four sides plus the VIN<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Title and registration fees, due when you submit<\/td><td>Title and registration fees, due when you submit<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Here is the order that wastes the least time:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>1. Check the record first.<\/strong> Ask a deputy registrar or DVS whether an NMVTIS record exists. Do this before you pay if you can.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>2. Get the paper from the seller.<\/strong> A bill of sale, or the seller\u2019s signature on the PS2000, and their signature on the Statement of Facts if it applies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>3. Take the photos.<\/strong> All four sides of the car plus the VIN. DVS uses these to set the vehicle\u2019s fair market value. Digital color images are preferred.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>4. Fill in the forms.<\/strong> The PS2000 for every case, plus the PS2026 affidavit (notarized) or the PS2002 Statement of Facts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>5. Submit and pay.<\/strong> Title and registration fees are due when you submit. DVS reviews the file and tells you if a bond is required.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Want the difference between titling and plating explained? Read <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/car-registration-vs-title-transfer\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">car registration vs title transfer<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bonded-title-minnesota\">How does a bonded title work in Minnesota?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For a vehicle more than five years old, DVS may issue a bonded certificate of title. Minnesota Statutes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.revisor.mn.gov\/statutes\/cite\/168A.07\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">section 168A.07<\/span><\/a> sets the rules, and DVS explains them this way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>DVS sets the value:<\/strong> it uses your photos to decide what the vehicle is worth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>You buy a surety bond:<\/strong> from an insurance company, for 1.5 times that value.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The title says BONDED:<\/strong> DVS holds the bond for three years and brands the title.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>After three clean years:<\/strong> if nobody makes an ownership claim, the bond may be returned and a new title issued without the brand.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bond amount is not what you pay. You pay the insurer a premium for the bond, and the insurer sets that price. Get a quote before you buy the car, not after. DVS does not post a processing time on its no proof of ownership page, so ask your deputy registrar what to expect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-minnesota-title-fees\">Minnesota title fees you will pay either way<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><thead><tr><th>Fee<\/th><th>Amount<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Title fee<\/td><td>$8.25<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Filing fee<\/td><td>$12<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Technology surcharge<\/td><td>$2.25<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Public Safety Vehicle fee<\/td><td>$3.50<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Late transfer penalty (transfer not submitted within 20 calendar days of the sale date)<\/td><td>$2<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Registration tax and sales tax<\/td><td>Varies by vehicle<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Source: the DVS <a href=\"https:\/\/dps.mn.gov\/divisions\/dvs\/vehicle\/vehicle-fees\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">vehicle fees page<\/span><\/a>. Fees are set by the Legislature and can change. For a full breakdown with tax, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/costs-transfer-car-title-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">what a Minnesota title transfer costs<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-car-five-years-old-or-newer\">What if the car is five years old or newer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The bonded title route is for vehicles more than five years old. If the car is newer, or you cannot get a bonded title for another reason, DVS says you may need a court order directing the Department of Public Safety to issue a title. That means a filing, a hearing, and likely a lawyer. On a newer car with no title, the safer move is almost always to not buy it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-abandoned-vehicle-title-minnesota\">How do you get a title for an abandoned vehicle in Minnesota?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Abandoned and towed vehicles follow a separate law, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.revisor.mn.gov\/statutes\/cite\/168B\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Minnesota Statutes chapter 168B<\/span><\/a>. Units of government and peace officers can impound abandoned vehicles, and unclaimed ones are sold or disposed of through that process. A buyer at an impound lot sale gets a receipt in a form set by the registrar, which is enough to receive a title free and clear of liens, after the vehicle passes a safety check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A car someone left on your property does not simply become yours. Call your local police or city to start the impound process. Our step by step guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/abandoned-vehicle-title-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">getting a title for an abandoned vehicle in Minnesota<\/span><\/a> covers the notice, the 15 or 45 day wait and the title after the sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-when-to-walk-away\">When should you walk away from a car with no title?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The VIN does not match:<\/strong> the dash plate, door sticker and paperwork should all show the same VIN. Any mismatch, walk.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The seller will not sign anything:<\/strong> no bill of sale, no Statement of Facts, no full name. You will need them later.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The car is five years old or newer:<\/strong> no bonded title option, so you are looking at a court order.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The story keeps changing:<\/strong> \u201clost,\u201d then \u201cthe bank has it,\u201d then \u201cmy cousin has it\u201d usually means the seller cannot transfer it.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The price only makes sense with a title:<\/strong> if you would not pay that much for parts, do not pay it for a car you may never plate.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-what-a-no-title-car-is-worth\">What is a no title car actually worth?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Less than it looks. Add the bond premium, the fees, the time off work for office visits, and the risk that DVS or a court says no. Even when it works, the title carries a BONDED brand for three years, and the next buyer will see it. For most people a no title car is a parts car until DVS says otherwise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"937\" height=\"696\" sizes=\"(max-width: 937px) 100vw, 937px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pricing.webp\" alt=\"Comparing the real cost of a car without a title to a titled car\" class=\"wp-image-2452\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pricing.webp 937w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pricing-300x223.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/pricing-768x570.webp 768w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If the problem is a missing signature on an old family car rather than a missing title, see <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/car-title-issues-inherited-vehicles-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">title issues with inherited vehicles<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/how-to-sign-title-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">how to sign a Minnesota title<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-bought-at-auction\">Bought a car at auction and waiting on the title?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is a different situation. At an auction the title usually exists and is being transferred to you, which takes time. Our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buying-car-auction-transferring-title\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">buying a car at auction and transferring the title<\/span><\/a> covers that process step by step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-buy-a-car-that-comes-with-its-title\">The other option: buy a car that comes with its title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you are reading this because cheap is the goal, there is a way to get cheap without the title gamble. Remarket Space is an online car auction open to the public, with no dealer license needed, and an auction in the Twin Cities area. Every listing shows the title status, a full inspection, a free Carfax, and the out-the-door price. Our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/how-it-works\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">how it works page<\/span><\/a> lists a lifetime title guarantee, and we handle the title paperwork for you; state processing takes about 8 to 12 weeks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"583\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wide-selection-1024x583.webp\" alt=\"Titled used cars for sale at an online auction in Minnesota\" class=\"wp-image-2451\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wide-selection-1024x583.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wide-selection-300x171.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wide-selection-768x437.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wide-selection-1536x874.webp 1536w, https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/wide-selection.webp 1892w\"><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/auction\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">See titled cars at this week\u2019s auction<\/span><\/a>, or start with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/cars\/minnesota\/under-1000\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">cars under $1,000<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/cars\/minnesota\/under-5000\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">cars under $5,000 in Minnesota<\/span><\/a>. Every fee is listed on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/buyer-premium-fees\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">buyer premium and fees page<\/span><\/a>. New to auctions? Start with our guide to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/car-auctions-minnesota\/\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">car auctions in Minnesota<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-faq\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"schema-faq wp-block-yoast-faq-block\"><div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-1\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is it illegal to buy a car without a title in Minnesota?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. Buying it is not illegal in itself. You just cannot register or plate it until DVS issues a title in your name, usually through the no proof of ownership application. Until then the car cannot be driven on the road or sold cleanly.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-2\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can you register a car without a title in Minnesota?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Not without first getting a title. DVS titles and registers a vehicle on the same application. If you have no title, you file a no proof of ownership application with a bill of sale, photos, and the PS2000, and pay title and registration fees when you submit.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-3\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">How much is a bonded title in Minnesota?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">The bond must equal 1.5 times the value DVS sets from your photos, and DVS holds it for three years. You pay an insurance company a premium for that bond, plus the regular title fee of $8.25, the $12 filing fee, and other DVS fees and taxes.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-4\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">I bought a car without a title. How do I get one?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Ask a deputy registrar or DVS whether the vehicle has an NMVTIS record. Then file the PS2000 with photos of all four sides and the VIN, plus either a notarized Affidavit of Due Diligence or a Statement of Facts and bill of sale, depending on the answer.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-5\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Is a bill of sale enough to prove ownership in Minnesota?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. A bill of sale shows you paid someone for the car, but it does not put the car in your name. DVS uses it as one supporting document in a no proof of ownership application, along with the title application and photos.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-6\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Can I get a bonded title on a newer car in Minnesota?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">No. The bonded title option is for vehicles more than five years old. For a newer car, or when a bonded title is not possible, DVS says you may need a court order directing the Department of Public Safety to issue the title.<\/p> <\/div> <div class=\"schema-faq-section\" id=\"faq-question-7\"><strong class=\"schema-faq-question\">Should I buy a car without a title?<\/strong> <p class=\"schema-faq-answer\">Usually not, unless you are paying parts or scrap money. The bond, fees, office visits and risk that DVS says no often cost more than the discount. A car sold with its title, title status and history report shown up front is the safer buy.<\/p> <\/div> <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-sources\">Sources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Minnesota DVS:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/dps.mn.gov\/divisions\/dvs\/vehicle\/vehicle-titles\/no-proof-ownership-vehicle-title-application\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">No proof of ownership vehicle title application<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minnesota DVS:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/dps.mn.gov\/divisions\/dvs\/vehicle\/vehicle-fees\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Vehicle fees<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minnesota DVS:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.dps.mn.gov\/files\/dvs\/dvs-ps2000a-application-to-title-register-a-vehicle.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Application to Title and Register a Vehicle (PS2000)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minnesota DVS:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/assets.dps.mn.gov\/files\/dvs\/dvs-ps2002-statement-of-facts.pdf\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Statement of Facts (PS2002)<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Minnesota Revisor of Statutes:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.revisor.mn.gov\/statutes\/cite\/168A.07\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">Section 168A.07<\/span><\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.revisor.mn.gov\/statutes\/cite\/168B\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">chapter 168B<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>U.S. Department of Justice:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/vehiclehistory.bja.ojp.gov\/nmvtis_vehiclehistory\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><span class=\"has-inline-color has-secondary-color\">NMVTIS vehicle history<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>General information, not legal or tax advice.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>You found a cheap car, and the seller says the title is lost, never existed, or is \u201ccoming later.\u201d You[&#8230;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":21320,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3172","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-auction-tips"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.3 (Yoast SEO v28.8) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Buying a Car Without a Title in MN (2026): Legal or Not?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Yes, you can buy a car with no title in Minnesota, but you cannot plate it until DVS issues one. 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The Minnesota no proof of ownership and bonded title route, real fees, and when to walk away.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/","og_site_name":"Remarket Space","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/RemarketSpace","article_published_time":"2025-04-30T13:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-11-07T12:08:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1200,"height":630,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remarket-space-featured.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Matt Osborn","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_title":"Buying a Car Without a Title in Minnesota: What Is Legal","twitter_description":"You can buy it, but you cannot plate it until DVS issues a title. 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You just cannot register or plate it until DVS issues a title in your name, usually through the no proof of ownership application. Until then the car cannot be driven on the road or sold cleanly.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-2","position":2,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-2","name":"Can you register a car without a title in Minnesota?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Not without first getting a title. DVS titles and registers a vehicle on the same application. If you have no title, you file a no proof of ownership application with a bill of sale, photos, and the PS2000, and pay title and registration fees when you submit.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-3","position":3,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-3","name":"How much is a bonded title in Minnesota?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"The bond must equal 1.5 times the value DVS sets from your photos, and DVS holds it for three years. You pay an insurance company a premium for that bond, plus the regular title fee of $8.25, the $12 filing fee, and other DVS fees and taxes.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-4","position":4,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-4","name":"I bought a car without a title. How do I get one?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Ask a deputy registrar or DVS whether the vehicle has an NMVTIS record. Then file the PS2000 with photos of all four sides and the VIN, plus either a notarized Affidavit of Due Diligence or a Statement of Facts and bill of sale, depending on the answer.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-5","position":5,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-5","name":"Is a bill of sale enough to prove ownership in Minnesota?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. A bill of sale shows you paid someone for the car, but it does not put the car in your name. DVS uses it as one supporting document in a no proof of ownership application, along with the title application and photos.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-6","position":6,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-6","name":"Can I get a bonded title on a newer car in Minnesota?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"No. The bonded title option is for vehicles more than five years old. For a newer car, or when a bonded title is not possible, DVS says you may need a court order directing the Department of Public Safety to issue the title.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Question","@id":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-7","position":7,"url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/buy-car-without-title-minnesota\/#faq-question-7","name":"Should I buy a car without a title?","answerCount":1,"acceptedAnswer":{"@type":"Answer","text":"Usually not, unless you are paying parts or scrap money. The bond, fees, office visits and risk that DVS says no often cost more than the discount. A car sold with its title, title status and history report shown up front is the safer buy.","inLanguage":"en-US"},"inLanguage":"en-US"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/remarket-space-featured.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3172","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3172"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3172\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22636,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3172\/revisions\/22636"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21320"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3172"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3172"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.remarketspace.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3172"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}