Lost Your Car Title in Nevada? Here’s Exactly How to Get a Replacement

If you lost your Nevada car title, you can request a duplicate through the Nevada DMV either online via MyDMV (if you meet eligibility rules) or by submitting the Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (Form VP 012) by mail or in person; if there’s a lien, the lienholder must release it first, and the DMV will mail the new title to you. Below is a step-by-step guide, what to prepare, common pitfalls to avoid, and where to get official help.

What losing your title means — and what to do first

A lost title doesn’t change vehicle ownership, but you need a replacement to sell, gift, or transfer the vehicle, and in many cases to finalize financing or insurance. Nevada issues secure printed titles and also uses an electronic system when a lienholder is involved. Before you apply, verify whether a lien is still on record and make sure your address with the DMV is current, as the title is mailed to the address on file or as specified on the application.

Check if you’re eligible to order online

Nevada’s MyDMV portal offers a convenient way to order a duplicate title, but only in certain circumstances. Use the points below to confirm if the online option will work for you before you start.

• Your title is already in your name (not a new purchase awaiting initial title transfer).
• There is no active lien on the title, or the lien has been released in the DMV system.
• Your name and address on file are current; no name change or ownership changes are needed.
• You can pay online with an accepted payment method and can receive mail at the delivery address.

If you meet these conditions, MyDMV is typically the fastest path. If not, you’ll apply by mail or visit a DMV office and the title will be mailed once processed.

How to apply online through MyDMV

When you’re eligible, the online process is straightforward. Gather your basic vehicle and personal information and follow the steps below in your MyDMV account.

• Sign in to MyDMV (or create an account) and select the Duplicate Title service.
• Enter the vehicle details (VIN and/or plate) and confirm your mailing address.
• Attest that no liens remain (or that the lien has been properly released) and that no changes are needed to owners or names.
• Pay the duplicate title fee shown at checkout; keep your confirmation for records.
• Watch for the title to arrive by mail; titles are printed at a secure facility and mailed to you.

Once submitted, online requests are routed to the DMV’s title unit for printing and mailing; you won’t receive a title instantly or by email.

How to apply by mail or in person

If you don’t qualify for the online option—or prefer paper—use Nevada’s official application. This route is required when there’s a lien to be released, when owner information must be corrected, or when multiple owners must sign.

• Complete the Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (Form VP 012). Ensure the legal owner name(s) and vehicle information (VIN, year, make) are accurate.
• Have all required owner signatures on the form; signatures generally must be notarized. If the original title listed multiple owners with “AND,” all must sign; with “OR,” one owner may sign.
• If a lien was paid off, include an original lien release from the lienholder (on company letterhead or the DMV’s lien release form) unless the release has already been transmitted electronically to the DMV.
• If your name has changed, attach legal proof (e.g., marriage certificate, court order); if your address has changed, update it first or follow the form’s instructions for mailing address.
• Include the required fee (check or money order if applying by mail). Do not mail cash.
• Mail your packet to the address printed on Form VP 012, or bring it to a Nevada DMV office. Titles are still printed and mailed after in-person submission.

Mail-in applications reduce time spent at a DMV office and are often the best choice if documents need notarization or if you’re out of state.

Special situations and how to handle them

If there’s still a lien on the vehicle

When an active lien is on record, Nevada holds an electronic title showing the lienholder. You generally cannot receive a paper title in your name until the lienholder files a release (electronically or via an original lien release). Contact your lender first to ensure the release has been sent; then apply for the duplicate.

If the vehicle was never titled in your name

You can’t request a duplicate title for a vehicle that has not been titled to you. The current titled owner must first obtain a replacement title and sign it over to you, after which you complete a standard title transfer.

If you’ve already sold the vehicle

Private-party buyers in Nevada expect a clear title at sale. If you lost it after agreeing to a sale, you must obtain the duplicate before completing the transfer. The duplicate will invalidate the original if it later turns up.

If the owner is deceased or it’s an estate matter

Estate transfers require probate or small-estate documentation per Nevada law. The personal representative or heir should follow the DMV’s estate transfer procedures first; then the representative can request a duplicate title if needed as part of the transfer.

If you’re out of state

You may submit the notarized Form VP 012 and supporting documents by mail from outside Nevada. Make sure your return mailing address is secure and can receive the title.

Documents and information you’ll typically need

Having the right details on hand speeds up your application and prevents rejections. Use the checklist below to gather what the DMV commonly requires.

• Vehicle identification number (VIN), year, make, and plate number.
• Completed and signed Form VP 012 (with notarization where required).
• Government-issued photo ID matching the titled owner’s name.
• Lien release (if a lien was previously recorded and now satisfied).
• Name change proof (if your legal name has changed since titling).
• Payment for the duplicate title fee (see the form or DMV website for current amounts).

Submitting a complete, legible packet the first time minimizes processing delays and reduces the chance the DMV will return your application for corrections.

Fees and processing times

Nevada charges a duplicate title fee set by statute and publishes current amounts on the DMV website and on Form VP 012. Additional fees may apply for lien recording or certain processing services. Online requests are paid electronically; mail-in requests typically require a check or money order. Titles are printed at a secure facility and mailed; allow time for DMV processing plus postal delivery. If your transaction is time-sensitive, review the DMV’s current processing estimates before you apply.

Common mistakes that cause delays

Avoiding the errors below can save weeks of back-and-forth with the title unit. Review these pitfalls before you submit.

• Applying while a lien is still on record without providing a valid lien release.
• Forgetting notarization on required signatures for a paper application.
• Submitting with outdated addresses or requesting ownership/name changes on a duplicate request.
• Using white-out or illegible handwriting on Form VP 012.
• Requesting a duplicate when you are not the titled owner on record.

Double-checking your lien status, signatures, and documentation usually prevents these issues and speeds delivery of your new title.

Where to get official help

For the latest forms, fees, eligibility rules, and processing times, visit the Nevada DMV: dmv.nv.gov. For online service, go to MyDMV: mydmv.nv.gov. If your case involves special circumstances (estate, court orders, complex lien questions), use the DMV’s Contact Us page for guidance before submitting.

Summary

In Nevada, you can replace a lost car title online through MyDMV if you’re the titled owner, there’s no active lien, and your information is current; otherwise, file Form VP 012 with any required lien release, ID, and fee by mail or at a DMV office. The DMV prints and mails all titles, and a duplicate title voids the original if it reappears. Check the DMV’s site or the form for current fees, addresses, and processing timeframes.

Can I replace my car title if I lose it?

You will have to go to your local DMV and request a duplicate title be issued to you. You will need to take your driver’s license and any information about the car that you have. They can look up the vehicle by VIN number and your name and then put in a request for a duplicate title.

How long does it take to get a replacement title in Nevada?

In Nevada, a standard duplicate vehicle title is mailed to you in approximately six weeks after your application is processed. However, you can pay an additional fee for expedited processing, which completes your application within three working days, although the title itself will still be mailed to you. 
Standard Process:

1. Apply: You can apply by mail or in person at a Nevada DMV office. 
2. Wait: The duplicate title will be mailed to your address on file. 
3. Receive: You should expect to receive it in about six weeks. 

Expedited Process: 

1. Apply for Expedited Title: Submit a separate expedited title application.
2. Pay the Fee: There’s an additional fee for expedited processing.
3. Receive: Your application will be processed in three working days, after which the title is mailed.

Important Information:

• Invalidated Title: The original title is invalid once a duplicate is issued, so you must not use it. 
• Mail-In Option: You can also use the new Turbo Titles online service to apply. 
• Out-of-State Fees: There are different processing fees depending on if your vehicle is titled in Nevada or out of state. 
• Mailing Costs: An additional charge applies to mail titles out of state. 

How much does it cost to replace a car title in Nevada?

Fees

Transaction	Fee
Complete change of ownership on any vehicle	$28.25
Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title sent to a Nevada address	$20.00
Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title sent out of state	$35.00
Add/Drop Legal Owners without a complete change of ownership	$20.00

What do I do if I lost my car title in Nevada?

To get a duplicate title in Nevada, fill out the Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (VP 012) form and submit it to the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) either in person or by mail, with the required fees. The form requires vehicle information, owner details, and a signature witnessed by a notary or DMV technician. You can also use the Rapid Registration service to apply online.
 
Steps to get a duplicate title:

1. Complete the application form: Download and fill out the Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (Form VP 012). 
2. Gather required information: You will need the vehicle’s year, make, model, VIN, and Nevada license plate number. You’ll also need the owner’s name, Nevada address, and driver’s license number or birthdate for verification. 
3. Sign and have it notarized: Sign the form in the presence of a notary public or a Nevada DMV technician. 
4. Submit the application: You can submit the completed form by mail or in person at a DMV office. 
5. Pay the fees: Pay the required fees for the duplicate title and any optional expedited services. 

Important Considerations:

• Lienholders: If there is an outstanding loan or lease on the vehicle, you must contact the lienholder for a lien release before applying for a duplicate title. 
• Out-of-State Titles: If the vehicle is currently titled in another state, even if it has Nevada plates, you must obtain the duplicate title from that state. 
• Mailing: Your duplicate title will be mailed to you and will not be issued at a DMV field office.