Substitute Titles
See the documents and forms you need to make your DMV visit a breeze!
DMV will issue you a substitute title when information on your existing title needs to be changed. Once you’re issued a substitute title, all prior titles are invalid. DMV also issues replacement titles if you don’t want to change any information on the existing title.
Note: If there is a lien on the vehicle, you will need to contact the lienholder to make any changes to the existing title record.
There are several reasons to apply for a substitute title. Choose yours to see the application requirements.
Removing Deceased Owners
If you are a co-owner with the right of survivorship and your co-owner is deceased, we will issue a substitute title, in your name only, after you submit the following to DMV:
- Certified or notarized death certificate
- Existing title certificate
- If your existing title is lost or stolen, only the VSA 67 and the fee are required.
- Certified or notarized death certificate
- Existing vehicle title
- $15 substitute title fee
- Notarized copy of the will or completed Statement of Authority to Assign Title
- Your name is listed on the title as one of the vehicle owners and "or" appears between the names listed, or
- The words "or survivor" appear after the names
- Your name does not appear on the title.
- You are a joint owner without the right of survivorship if your name is listed on the title as one of the vehicle owners and:
- The word "and" appears between the names listed, or
- The words "or survivor" DO NOT appear after the names
- Change your name with DMV before updating your Virginia title. See How do I change my name?
- Completed Application For Replacement and Substitute Titles signed by all owners of the vehicle
- Existing vehicle title
If your existing title is lost or stolen, only the VSA 67 and the fee are required.
- $15 substitute title fee
- A complete Application For Replacement and Substitute Titles. All owners must sign to give authorization.
- Existing title certificate.
If your existing title is lost or stolen, only the VSA 67 and the fee are required.
- $15 substitute title fee
- Completed "Application for Change of Existing Vehicle Record" (VSA 71) showing the correct information (vehicle identification number (VIN), business information, etc.).
- Completed "Application For Replacement and Substitute Titles" (VSA 67) signed by all owners of the vehicle.
- $15 substitute title fee.
- The title provided by the lienholder (or proof of lien release if DMV still has a lien on record).
- $15 substitute title fee.
- Completed Application For Transfer and Supplemental Liens (VSA-66).
This is not required for a lien transfer.
- Existing vehicle title
- $15 substitute title fee.
If you are not a joint owner, or are a joint owner without the right of survivorship, and there is no executor or administrator appointed to the estate, submit the following to DMV:
See Transferring a Vehicle from a Deceased Owner for more information.
How do I determine if I’m a joint owner?
You are considered a joint owner with the right of survivorship if:
You are not a joint owner if:
Name Change
If you are changing your name on a title, you must
then submit the following to DMV:
Address Change
To change your address on a title, first update your address with DMV online by logging in or creating an account.
Then submit the following to DMV:
Corrections
To make a correction, submit the following to DMV:
Note: Additional documentation may be required when changing vehicle information, including an inspection of the subject vehicle.
[Back to Top]Lien Removal
To get a title after removing a lien, submit the following to DMV:
Supplemental Lien or Transfer of Lien
For lien transfers or supplemental liens, submit the following to DMV:
Designating a Beneficiary
To add, change or remove a beneficiary for a vehicle, submit a completed Beneficiary Transaction Request (VSA 18) to DMV. The form must be signed by all owners of the vehicle.
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