How To Get a Car Title Notarized

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OneNotary Team

August 19, 2021

car

If you own a car, you need to make sure you have the title of the vehicle. That way, you can prove the vehicle belongs to you. At the same time, you may need to get the document notarized. If you have to get your car title notarized, what do you need to do? Take a look at a few important steps below, and remember to reach out to a professional notary if you are curious about how to get a car title notarized.

What is a Car Title?

When you purchase a new car, there are a lot of important documents you have to get. One of the most important documents is the car title. The title to your car is a legal document that demonstrates you are the rightful owner of your vehicle. You have spent a lot of money on your vehicle, and you do not want to risk losing it. Therefore, in the event there is any confusion about who owns the vehicle, you need to present the car title. Prior to leaving any location with a new vehicle, you must make sure you have the vehicle title. That way, everyone knows that the vehicle belongs to you.

Do You Have To Get a Car Title Notarized?

The exact regulations will vary from location to location; however, in the vast majority of situations, you do need to get the car title notarized. Now, you do not need to get your title notarized in order to drive away with the vehicle; however, if you want the document to be recognized by a court of law, then you do need to get the title notarized.

What this means is that you need to sign the title of your vehicle in the presence of a notary public. It is the job of the notary public to make sure the person signing the document is who they say they are. Before you sign the title to your vehicle, the notary is going to be responsible for verifying your identity. Then, he or she is going to make sure you understand the implications of signing that document. Finally, once you have signed the title to your vehicle, that notary will notarize a document. This will specify the title to your vehicle is true and valid.

Of note, if there is more than one owner of the vehicle, such as a child or a spouse, then all individuals need to sign a car title in the presence of the notary. This is required for the car title to be seen as valid.

Preparing To Notarize your Vehicle Title

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If you are interested in getting the title to your vehicle notarized, you need to make sure you prepare accordingly. This means you need to bring at least one form of identification, the title to your vehicle, and possibly the vehicle itself. It depends on the way the vehicle title has been specified.

Then, you need to find a notary public who is available to assist you. It can be a lot of work to set up a meeting with a notary; however, there are other options available. What do you need to do to notarize a car title?

How To Notarize a Car Title

If you are wondering how to notarize a car title, you have multiple options available. For example, you may be interested in meeting with a physical notary. In a lot of situations, you can find a physical notary at a:

  • local post office
  • bank
  • local law firm

At the same time, many of these locations are only open during business hours. You may have to work during the day, so you may not have time to meet with a physical notary public. Furthermore, it can take you a long time to locate someone who can assist you.

Now, there is another way. You may be able to notarize your document virtually through OneNotary. Using this service, you will meet with a notary public using video conferencing technology. Then, you can go through the process of notarizing car titles on your own time. Furthermore, you may be able to save a significant amount of money.

If you want to notarize your car title using OneNotary, there are several steps you need to follow. These include:

  • First, you need to go to OneNotary to take a look at the available appointment time slots. Then, you can select one that works well for your schedule.
  • After you schedule your appointment, you will receive an email confirmation. This email will contain a link that you can use to upload your documents, such as the title to your vehicle, so the notary can review them before your session.
  • One of the most important parts is verifying your identity. You will have to answer a few questions to verify your identity.
  • When it is time for your session, you will log into a secure meeting. Then, you will interact with a notary public using video conferencing software. He or she is going to walk you through the process of getting your document notarized.
  • After the session is finished, it will take a few minutes for your notary to finish notarizing your documents. Then, you can download them and submit them to the proper party.

This is a relatively quick process that you can customize to meet your own schedule. Instead of having to worry about finding a physical notary to assist you, you can choose to meet with a notary on your own time. That way, you don’t have to disrupt your obligations, you can save time by not driving around town, and you might be able to save money.

How Much Does it Cost To Notarize a Car Title?

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The exact cost of getting a car title notarized is going to vary from place to place. Notary fees can vary from state to state, so you need to be clear about how much the process is going to cost before you decide to sign up for a time slot.

At the same time, you may be able to save money on your notary fees if you decide to get your car title notarized virtually. Take a look at the fees associated with OneNotary and compare them to the cost of using a physical notary. You might be able to avoid some unnecessary expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions About Notarizing a Car Title

There are several common questions people ask about getting a car title notarized. A few examples include:

  • Do I need to get my car title notarized in order to drive away with my vehicle?

No, you do not necessarily need to get the title notarized to drive away with the car; however, you do need to get the car title notarized if you want it to be a legally binding document. Therefore, it is a good idea to get your car title notarized as quickly as possible.

  • How long does it take for me to get a car title notarized?

It depends on how quickly you can find a notary. If you are looking for a physical notary who can help you, it may take a long time to find someone who is available. If you would like to get your car title notarized as quickly as possible, you may want to rely on a virtual service that can meet with you on your own time.

  • If I am transferring the ownership of a vehicle to someone else, do I need to get the title notarized?

This is not required to transfer the title to someone else; however, the new owner may be interested in getting the title notarized so the document is legally binding for the new driver.