Vermont Title Replacement

By Javier Marín, Editor·Last reviewed September 2026·How we check this

A Vermont vehicle owner who has lost, damaged, or never received the original title can apply for a duplicate title through the Vermont DMV using a flagged version of the VT-005 application. The fee is $35, the same as a regular title transaction, and the duplicate is mailed to the registered owner within 2-3 weeks.

When you need a duplicate

The most common reasons Vermont owners file for a duplicate title:

The original was lost in a move or never received from the lender after a payoff.
The title was damaged by water, fire, or wear and is no longer legible.
The previous owner gave the buyer a photocopy or "title pending" letter instead of an original.
A lien was paid off years ago but the lender never sent the released title.
Probate court awarded the vehicle but no original title was located in the deceased's records.

Documents required

Bring the following to a Vermont DMV branch or include with a mail-in VT-005:

Completed VT-005 Application for Title with the "duplicate" box checked.
Copy of the registration or any document establishing your ownership (insurance card, prior bill of sale).
Valid Vermont driver's license or state ID for identification.
Lien release from the lender, if applicable, on lender letterhead with corporate signature.
$35 fee, payable by check, money order, or credit card at the counter.

Lien holder consent

If the Vermont DMV's records show an active lien on the vehicle, the duplicate title is mailed to the lien holder, not the owner. You'll need a written lien release from the lender before the DMV mails the title to your address. Lenders typically respond within 7-10 business days; a few large national lenders use a third-party processor that adds another week to the timeline.

Stale liens

One of the most common Vermont DMV calls involves liens that should have been released years ago but were never reported. If your lender has gone out of business or has been acquired, the DMV will accept a payoff letter from the original lender, a court order, or a sworn affidavit (form available at the branch) confirming the loan was paid in full. Be ready to show bank statements or the original loan documents proving payoff.

Fees

$35 — duplicate title.
$5 — lien recording or release fee, if applicable.
$3 — expedited mailing, when offered.

Timeline

Vermont mails duplicate titles within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving the complete application and fee. Expedited service, when offered, cuts the timeline to about 1 week. If the application has any errors — missing signature, incorrect VIN, lien holder mismatch — the DMV mails it back unprocessed and the clock restarts when you correct and resubmit.

What if the title was held by the previous owner?

If you're trying to replace a title that was originally issued to a previous owner (not you), the duplicate process won't work — you need a full title transfer from that owner, which requires the original title (or a duplicate they obtain) plus the assignment on the back. If the previous owner is unreachable, deceased, or refuses to cooperate, Vermont's "Vehicle Without Title" bond procedure may apply — ask the DMV for the surety-bond pathway, which involves a vehicle worth assessment and a 3-year bond posted with the DMV.

Inherited vehicles

For vehicles inherited through probate, the executor applies for a duplicate or transferred title with a copy of the death certificate, the letters of administration, and the title (if available). Vermont allows small-estate transfers without full probate when the total estate value falls below the statutory threshold — the DMV accepts a small-estate affidavit in those cases. See title transfer for the full inherited-vehicle process.

Branch versus mail-in

Mail-in is the path most Vermont owners use because the DMV won't hand over a duplicate at the counter even when the application is filed in person — the title is always mailed to the address on file (or to the lien holder, if applicable). The branch visit is helpful when DMV staff need to verify documents or troubleshoot a complicated lien or ownership history. Otherwise, mailing the VT-005 with a check is the simplest route.