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Quick overview
Who it is for
The DMV describes it as your path to legal ownership if you bought a vehicle but didn't receive a title, or can't contact the previous owner for proof of ownership. It protects any previous owners if a legal dispute arises.
You must be a Nevada resident and the vehicle must be in Nevada. It is optional: the DMV says it exists to save you from going to court, which was the older route through a writ of mandamus before a 2017 law created the bonded title.
If your name is already on a Nevada title and you've only lost the paper, you want a duplicate title instead. If the title is in someone else's name, see selling a car that isn't in your name.
The steps, in order
- Call Title Research at (775) 684-4810, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. All bonded titles go through the Title Research Section in Carson City.
- Send the affidavit and your proof. That is form VP-271, the Affidavit for Bonded Vehicle Title, with copies of every ownership document you have and four photographs of the vehicle (front, back and both sides). The affidavit must be notarized or witnessed by an authorized DMV representative.
- Get the vehicle inspected at a DMV office or by a law enforcement officer.
- Wait for the DMV's answer. It searches the vehicle's theft and brand history, sets the bond amount and lists any other documents you need.
- Only then buy the bond and complete the Vehicle Bond Affidavit (VP-272).
- Mail the originals and fees to Nevada DMV, ATTN: Bonded Titles, 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711. The DMV asks for tracked mail, and certified or registered mail for original documents.
Don't buy the bond first. The DMV page says not to buy one until the DMV tells you one exact amount, and the form says the same.
What the bond is and what it covers
The bond is a surety bond from a company licensed to do business in Nevada, signed by you as the principal. The DMV sets the amount: usually 1.5 times the vehicle's original retail price, or 25 percent for a salvage vehicle. The bond protects prior owners and lienholders, later buyers, and anyone who later takes a lien on the vehicle.
If someone claims the car, they deal with your bond company, not the DMV. The DMV does not publish what a surety charges for the bond, so we don't quote a price. Ask a licensed surety once the DMV has given you the amount.
What the title looks like, and the three years
The title says "Bonded Vehicle Title" across the top. The bond must stay in force for three years, and if no claims are made in that time, the Bonded brand comes off and you can apply for a standard title. Once the bonded title is issued, the vehicle can be registered in Nevada as long as all other registration requirements are met.
If you want to sell it
Ownership can be transferred with a bonded title in Nevada. Two things to know first:
- The bond stays. It remains in force for the full three years even if the vehicle is sold.
- Out of state may not work. The DMV says Nevada titles are non-transferable out of state, and its guide says to check before buying that a transfer is allowed.
While you wait on the DMV, see who buys cars without a title and what they need. Ask any buyer whether they accept a bonded title before you rely on one. This is general information, not legal advice. Title Research can answer questions about your case.
If you sell it to us
We buy cars you fully own with the title in your name, running or not. You get an offer online in about two minutes.
Common questions
- What is a bonded title in Nevada?
- It is a way to get a Nevada title when you bought a vehicle but didn't receive a title, or can't contact the previous owner for proof of ownership. You buy a surety bond that protects prior owners, so the DMV can issue a title branded as a bonded vehicle title.
- Where do I apply for a bonded title?
- Only with the DMV's Title Research Section in Carson City. The DMV says you cannot do this at a local field office. You must be a Nevada resident and the vehicle must be in Nevada.
- Can I buy the bond first?
- No. The DMV says not to buy a bond until it tells you one exact amount, and the VP-271 form says the same. The DMV searches the vehicle's history and sets the amount first.
- How much does a bonded title cost?
- The DMV sets the bond amount, usually 1.5 times the vehicle's original retail price, or 25 percent for a salvage vehicle. The DMV pages we read do not publish what a surety company charges for the bond, so ask a licensed surety for a quote once you have the DMV's amount.
- Can I sell a car with a bonded title?
- Yes. The DMV's Registration and Title Guide says ownership can be transferred with a bonded title in Nevada. The bond stays in force for the full three years even if the vehicle is sold, and the guide says transfer outside Nevada may not be allowed.
- How long does the bond last?
- Three years. If no claims are made against the bond in that time, the DMV removes the Bonded brand and you can apply for a standard title.
- Can I register a car with a bonded title?
- Yes. The DMV says that once a bonded title is issued the vehicle may be registered in Nevada, provided all other registration requirements are met. If the vehicle is a salvage vehicle, the rebuilding procedures come first.
