The fraudulent transfer of a motor vehicle is a state jail felony in Texas.
The person who sold you the car needs to provide you a valid title. If he doesn't, sue him in small claims court for the value of the vehicle, along with any other expenses you have incurred.
Bought a Vehicle Without a Title? Bonded Title Application (Form VTR-130-SOF) Any supporting evidence of ownership (Bill of Sale, Invoice, Cancelled Check, etc.) An original release(s) of lien or letter(s) of no interest if the vehicle has a lien of less than 10 years old. Acceptable photo ID.
How to Register a Car in Texas Without Title Step 1: Contact the Previous Owner or Seller. Step 2: Conduct a VIN Check. Step 3: Obtain a Bill of Sale. Step 4: Apply for a Bonded Title. Step 5: Get a Vehicle Inspection. Step 6: Gather All Required Documentation. Step 7: Submit Your Application to the Texas DMV.
This answers the question of is the bill of sale same as the title, as you'll need one to get the other. Think of the two documents as complementary. While a bill of sale certifies a transfer of ownership between two parties, a title certifies the buyer's legal ownership.
Get a bill of sale from a regulatory agency. Many government agencies, like the Department of Motor Vehicles, for instance, offer bill of sale forms for public use. Using a form directly from a government agency ensures that you have all of the information required for your state.
Yes, Texas recognizes handwritten bills of sale as valid, as long as they contain all the necessary information and are signed by both the buyer and the seller.
"Registration Purposes Only", often referred to as "RPO", means that the vehicle is registered but not titled in Texas.
Technically all you need is a bill of sale to buy/sell a car. Scrawl out a bill of sale with a pen and literally ANY piece of paper. BUT the new owner cannot register the car until they have a title. If you don't have a title because it has been lost, then either you need to contact the state and get a replacement.