Free 2026 estimator

Lost the title, or never got one?

Start with the cheapest fix. If you need a bonded title, add up the bond premium and state fees below, then check your state's rules and forms.

3 yrsusual bond term before a regular title
$100typical premium for a small title bond (Bryant)
1x to 2xbond amount versus vehicle value, by state

Read the full cost breakdown →

Cost estimator

Vehicle value, in $1,000s (used only by the larger-bond lines)

What is included

Bond premium for a bond of $6,000 or less (Bryant: $100; SuretyBondsDirect: from $100 to $125)$100–$125Bond premium for a larger bond in a 1.5x state such as TX, NC, AZ or WA, per $1,000 of vehicle value (est.)$15–$22 ea.Bond premium for a larger bond in a 2x state such as FL, GA, MI or CO, per $1,000 of vehicle value (est.)$20–$30 ea.State title application fee (Texas $15, Georgia $18)$15–$18Certified VIN inspection where a fee applies (Colorado $53, Ohio $53.50)$53–$54Duplicate title instead of a bond (Texas $2 to $5.45, Kentucky $6, California $28)$2–$28Ohio court-ordered title: filing fee and certified order (Franklin County)$36–$36

Tick one bond line. A $6,000 bond covers a vehicle worth up to $4,000 in a 1.5x state and up to $3,000 in a 2x state; above that, tick the larger-bond line for your state instead. The per-$1,000 lines are our estimate from published rates of $10 to $15 per $1,000 of bond, and a surety may price on your credit. Sales tax, registration and notary fees are extra.

Worked example

Worked example: the estimator with these inputs: 8 Vehicle value, in $1,000s (used only by the larger-bond lines); items: Bond premium for a bond of $6,000 or less (Bryant: $100; SuretyBondsDirect: from $100 to $125), State title application fee (Texas $15, Georgia $18). Each line is the published range times the quantity where it applies, times the multipliers, rounded to the nearest $10.

Line item	Range
Bond premium for a bond of $6,000 or less (Bryant: $100; SuretyBondsDirect: from $100 to $125)	$100 – $130
State title application fee (Texas $15, Georgia $18)	$20 – $20
Estimated total	$120 – $140

See the example step by step or read how the estimates are built.

Guides

Find the cheapest route to a title

Each guide starts with the simplest fix, then shows what a bond or court order involves, with links to the official state pages and forms.

Bonded Title: What It Is and How to Get OneHow a bonded title works, the steps to get one, who can and cannot use one, and when the bond ends.

Bonded Title Cost: Bond Premium and DMV FeesWhat a bonded title costs: the difference between the bond amount and the premium you pay, worked examples, and the other fees.

Bonded Title in Texas: Steps, Forms and CostHow a Texas bonded title works under TxDMV rules: the value, the forms, the deadline and the fee.

Bonded Title in Florida: Steps, Forms and CostFlorida's bonded title rules from FLHSMV: a bond of twice the retail value, the forms and the 3-year term.

Bonded Title in Georgia: Steps, Forms and CostGeorgia's bonded title rules from the Department of Revenue: twice the retail value, a $5,000 minimum bond, the forms and the deadlines.

Bonded Title in California: Form REG 5057How California's motor vehicle ownership surety bond works and when the DMV asks for one.

Bonded Title Rules by StateWhich states issue bonded titles, the bond amount each requires, and what states without bonds use instead.

Lost Car Title: How to Get a ReplacementHow to replace a lost or damaged car title in your name, what it costs in several states, and what to do when there is a loan.

Bought a Car Without a Title? Your OptionsWhat to do after buying a car with no title, starting with the cheapest fix, and the checks to run before you pay for a bond.

Can You Sell a Car Without a Title?Why a buyer cannot title a car without the old title, and how to get a duplicate before you sell.

No Car Title FAQShort answers.

Common questions

See all answers →

What is a bonded title?

A certificate of title issued with a surety bond that protects earlier owners and lienholders. After a set period, usually 3 years, with no claims you can get a regular title.

How much does a bonded title cost?

For a low-value car, often about $100 for the bond plus the state fee. Bryant Surety charges $100 for bonds up to $6,000 and about 1.5% of the bond above that. Texas charges a $15 application fee.

Is the bond always 1.5 times the value?

No. Florida, Georgia, Michigan, Colorado and Missouri use 2 times, California uses the vehicle's value, and Alabama uses a fixed amount by vehicle age.

Does every state issue bonded titles?

No. Ohio, Pennsylvania, Indiana and Kentucky use court orders, and Virginia uses an affidavit. See the state table.

Free, no obligation

Get help with your title paperwork

Tell us your state, the vehicle and what paperwork you have. A member of our team will reply by email with the route that fits and, where we know them, title services or surety agencies that can help. Your details are used only for this request and never sold to data brokers.

Use the estimate above as a yardstick. A surety should quote the bond amount and the premium separately.