Motor Vehicle Ownership / Lost Title - MAIL Bond - Statewide in California

Brief Summary

This bond lets California DMV register or transfer a vehicle when the usual ownership paperwork is missing. There is no set bond amount. The penal sum equals the fair market value of the vehicle, and the bond protects later buyers, lienholders and DMV if a better claim to the vehicle surfaces after the title is issued.

California Vehicle Code section 4157 allows DMV to accept a bond when an application to register or transfer a vehicle lacks the regularly required supporting evidence of ownership. The bond is written on DMV form REG 5057, Motor Vehicle Ownership Surety Bond, in a penal sum equal to the fair market value of the vehicle, with the People of the State of California as obligee and an admitted California surety insurer as surety.

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How to Apply for a Motor Vehicle Ownership / Lost Title - MAIL Bond:

• Confirm with DMV that your application lacks the regularly required evidence of ownership and that a bond will be accepted.
• Establish the fair market value of the vehicle, which becomes the penal sum on REG 5057.
• Have the California plate number, VIN, year, make and model ready for the bond form.
• Obtain the REG 5057 bond from an admitted California surety, signed by its attorney-in-fact.
• Submit the executed bond to DMV with your registration or transfer application.

Detailed Information About the California Motor Vehicle Ownership / Lost Title - MAIL Bond:

A lost title and missing ownership evidence are different problems

When a title is lost, stolen or damaged, DMV directs owners to the Application for Replacement or Transfer of Title (REG 227), filed in person or by mail. The surety bond answers a different problem. Vehicle Code section 4157 lets DMV accept an undertaking or bond when the regularly required supporting evidence of ownership is missing from an application to register or transfer a vehicle.

Amount

There is no fixed figure. Form REG 5057 sets the penal sum as the fair market value of the motor vehicle, so the bond amount follows the vehicle. The surety's total liability on all claims cannot exceed that penal sum.

Who the bond protects

Under section 4157 the bond protects DMV and its officers and employees, any later purchaser of the vehicle, anyone who acquires a lien or security interest in it, and their successors, against loss or damage caused by a defect in or undisclosed claim on the applicant's right, title and interest in the vehicle.

Form details

REG 5057 binds the principal and surety to the People of the State of California. The surety must be an admitted surety insurer authorized to transact business in California, and its attorney-in-fact signs under an unrevoked power of attorney. The form carries DMV's address, PO Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001. A surety that wants to cancel must have written notice received by DMV at least thirty days before the effective date.

How long it stays on file

Section 4158 provides that when the vehicle is no longer registered in California and the currently valid certificate of ownership is surrendered to DMV, the bond is returned at the end of three years or earlier. DMV also accepts a cash deposit equal to the value of the vehicle in place of a bond, on form REG 5059. Vessels use a separate form, REG 5058, Undocumented Vessel Surety Bond.

Eligibility and Requirements for a California Motor Vehicle Ownership / Lost Title - MAIL Bond:

• Penal sum equal to the fair market value of the vehicle.
• Obligee is the People of the State of California.
• Surety must be an admitted surety insurer authorized to transact business in California.
• Attorney-in-fact signature under an unrevoked power of attorney.
• A cash deposit on form REG 5059, equal to the vehicle's value, may be used instead of a bond.

California Motor Vehicle Ownership / Lost Title - MAIL Bond FAQs:

Official and Additional Resources for the California Motor Vehicle Ownership / Lost Title - MAIL Bond: