Get Your North Carolina Title Bond Today!

Rates & Requirements for North Carolina Title Bonds:

  • No Credit Check required for amounts up to $30,000.
  • Minimum Premium: $100
  • Rate: 1.5%
  • Instant Issue: Up to $30,000
  • Amount Required: 1.5X Appraised Value

If you do not have proof of ownership (a title) for your boat, motor vehicle, motorhome, mobile home, motorcycle or other titled property, you can provide the State of North Carolina with a Certificate of Title Bond in order to replace your lost, stolen, damaged or defective title. You will be able to register your vehicle with this new title.

Don’t overpay, apply today and get your title bond in 3 simple steps. Have questions? Contact us and talk to a title bond expert today.

Common Questions

What is a North Carolina certificate of title indemnity bond?

North Carolina General Statutes Chapter 20 Section 76 requires individuals with insufficient proof of vehicle ownership to file a surety bond during vehicle registration. The bond form is titled “Indemnity Bond (N.C. General Statute 20-76),” but most people refer to these bonds as “certificate of title bonds” or just ” title bonds” when registering their vehicles. The North Carolina DMV requires these bonds be filed within 30 days.

This title bond protects previous owners, lien holders, or future vehicle owners from losses or damages caused by the new certificate of title issuance. If a valid claim is made against the bond, the surety company will pay up to the full bond amount. The bonded vehicle owner must then reimburse the surety company.

How much does a North Carolina certificate of title bond cost?

North Carolina certificate of title bond costs start at $100. The exact cost will vary depending on the surety bond amount required by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.

  • Bond amounts up to $5,000 cost $100.
  • Bond amounts from $5,001 to $25,000 cost $20 for every $1,000 of coverage, starting at $100.
  • Bond amounts from $25,001 to $50,000 cost $15 for every $1,000 of coverage, starting at $375.
  • Bond amounts for more than $50,000 must be reviewed by an underwriter for pricing, starting at $750.

The North Carolina Lost Title Bond costs either $100 or 1.5% of the bond amount, whichever is greater (rates may vary for bonds greater than $25,000).

How do I get a certificate of title bond in North Carolina?

You can buy a North Carolina certificate of title bond online 24/7. You must provide the following information for the Division of Motor Vehicles approval.

  • name as it appears on your driver’s license
  • county
  • vehicle identification number (VIN)
  • year
  • make
  • body type

Once your payment is received, your official title bond documents will be delivered to your email.

What is the Purpose of the North Carolina Lost Title Bond?

North Carolina requires residents to purchase a surety bond as part of the application process to obtain a bonded title. The bond ensures that the rightful vehicle owner will not suffer a financial loss if the title applicant is seeking to obtain the title fraudulently. If the title applicant is engaging in fraud, then the rightful vehicle owner can file a claim against the bond and receive compensation up to the full amount of the bond. In short, the bond acts as a safeguard against people attempting to obtain ownership of a vehicle through unethical means.

Who is Required to Purchase a Bond?

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles requires title applicants to purchase a surety bond if the applicant cannot present the department with tangible proof that they own the vehicle and if the department does not have an ownership record of the vehicle. Typically, lost title bonds are required for the following reasons:

  • The vehicle has never been titled
  • The applicant never received the title
  • The previous owner never titled the vehicle
  • The applicant has the title but there is an error in the title transfer
  • The applicant purchased an unclaimed/abandoned vehicle and is not a bonded agent

Who needs a lost title bond?

You’ll need a surety bond if you don’t have a certificate of title for a vehicle you legally own. Vehicles do not qualify for a lost title bond if they:

  • were found abandoned
  • have either a mechanics or storage lien
  • have an outstanding lien that cannot be canceled
  • aren’t registered in North Carolina for vehicle owner who does not reside in the state
  • are considered parts-only, non-rebuildable, or junked
  • were not titled by the insurance company after being declared a total loss

Who registers vehicles in North Carolina?

The North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles regulates vehicle registration for vehicles in the state. The DMV enforces requirements for missing title registration and manages paperwork for vehicle title applications.

Please note this bond is required if you have insufficient evidence of ownership for your vehicle title. If you plan to sell vehicles, a North Carolina motor vehicle dealer bond is required.

How do I determine my required bond amount?

North Carolina statute 20-76 dictates that bond amount must be equal to one and a half times the vehicle’s value. To determine the vehicle’s value, title applicants must have the vehicle appraised according to North Carolina’s current Value Schedule. Title applicants can obtain a current Value Schedule by visiting any DMV license plate agency or calling the DMV Customer Contact Center at (919) 715-7000. Mobile homes and vehicle’s not contained within the value schedule must be appraised by two separate auto dealers, and the appraisals must be listed on the dealers’ letterheads.

Is a Credit Check Required for the North Carolina Lost Title Bond?

We do not conduct a credit check for bonds that are less than $25,000. At limits over $25,000, we will review your standing to determine the qualification and rates for the bond.

How do I update my indemnity bond form?

If the DMV requires your surety bond documentation to be updated for any reason, contact your surety company.
The most common changes for these bonds include updating the:

  • vehicle owner’s name
  • county
  • vehicle information

Does your North Carolina bonded title expire?

North Carolina bonded titles remain valid for 3 years from the date of issuance. The DMV will return the bond to the bonded vehicle owner at expiration if the valid title is provided to the Division or if the vehicle is no longer registered in North Carolina.

How can North Carolina residents avoid claims against lost title bonds?

To avoid claims, vehicle owners should verify the following before purchasing and filing a lost title bond.

  • They are the vehicle’s sole legal owner.
  • The vehicle does not have an open lien.
  • The vehicle was not acquired fraudulently.

How do I get a North Carolina bonded title?

To apply for a bonded title, complete the following steps:

  1. Consult the DMV
    Bonded title applicants in North Carolina should consult the Division of Motor Vehicles prior to purchasing a surety bond. North Carolina does not require all title applicants to obtain a bonded title, and usually only does so as an absolute last resort. Title applicants should ensure that they actually need a bond before purchasing one.
  2. Get a vehicle appraisal. Appraisals are done by any NCDMV license plate agency, or by calling the NCDMV Customer Contact Center at (919) 715-7000.
  3. Purchase a Surety Bond
    After receiving confirmation from the DMV, bonded title applicants must purchase and maintain a surety bond in an amount equal to one and a half times the vehicle’s value.
  4. Have the Vehicle Inspected
    All title applicants must have their vehicle inspected by the License and Theft Bureau. Applicants must have their title application and application of facts forms completed prior to inspection. Applicants can get their vehicle inspected at any License and Theft Bureau office.
    Additionally, bonded title applicants must complete a separate emissions inspection to determine their vehicle is in compliance with all applicable emissions standards. Emissions inspections can be conducted by any authorized inspector.
  5. Submit the Required Documents
    Bonded title applicants must submit the following documents to their local DMV office.

    • Odometer reading – Required for vehicles less than 10 years old
    • Inspector’s report – Can be obtained after the vehicle is inspected
    • Title application – Must be notarized and disclose all liens against the vehicle
    • Affidavit of facts

How Do North Carolina Bonded Title Applicants File Their Bond?

In North Carolina, bonded title applicants should submit the completed bond form, including the power of attorney, to their local DMV office. The North Carolina Lost Title Surety Bond requires signatures from both the surety company that issues the bond and the bonded title applicant. The surety company should include the following information on the bond form:

  • The legal name and address entity/individual(s) buying the bond
  • Surety company’s name and address
  • Bond amount
  • Vehicle information
  • Date the bond is signed

What Are the Insurance Requirements for Bonded Title Applicants in North Carolina?

North Carolina requires all motor vehicle owners to purchase auto insurance with the following minimum limits:

  • $30,000 per person
  • $60,000 per accident
  • $25,000 property damage per accident

Bonded title applicants must purchase and maintain a surety bond in an amount equal to one and a half times the vehicle’s value.

How Can North Carolina Residents Avoid Claims Against Their Lost Title Bond?

To avoid claims against their bond, bonded title applicants in North Carolina must ensure that they are the rightful owners of the motor vehicle.