Washington, D.C. title guide
Selling a junk car without a title in Washington, D.C.
The short answer
In Washington, D.C., you'll usually need the title to sell or scrap a car. If it's lost, apply for a duplicate from the DC Department of Motor Vehicles before you book a pickup.
First published November 4, 2026. Rules checked against official Washington, D.C. sources on and reviewed by Paola Reniery, Operations Manager (see the sources).
What does Washington, D.C. ask of sellers?
In Washington, D.C., a replacement title costs $30.00. Each card links to the official page it came from.
- After the sale
- Remove the tags, and surrender them to DC DMV if you won't transfer them to another vehicle. DC DMV's seller steps don't include a separate notice of sale.
- Official source
- License plates
- The seller removes the tags and surrenders them to DC DMV unless transferring them to another vehicle.
- Official source
What do you do if you have the title?
Sign and print your name where the seller signs, fill in the odometer reading if there's a space for it, and leave the buyer section blank. If your title has a notary section, the signatures have to be notarized. If it doesn't, you sign in front of the driver at pickup. Don't sign the title until the driver is there and you've agreed the price.
What if the title is lost or damaged?
Washington, D.C. replacement titles come from the DC Department of Motor Vehicles, using the Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, for a fee of $30.00. You'll need the VIN, which is on the dashboard by the windshield, on the driver's door jamb and on your registration. If you're in a hurry, tell our buyer partner when it contacts you: it can buy some cars without a title, so ask whether that works for your car in Washington, D.C..
For the full walkthrough, including the states that exempt older cars and what to avoid, read how to sell a junk car without a title.
What if there's a loan, or the owner has died?
If a lender is still listed on the title, you'll need its lien release, or the loan gets paid off as part of the sale. If the owner has died, only someone with legal authority, usually the executor, can sell the car, and the DC Department of Motor Vehicles can tell you which estate papers Washington, D.C. accepts.
What do you do after the sale?
- Remove the tags, and surrender them to DC DMV if you won't transfer them to another vehicle. DC DMV's seller steps don't include a separate notice of sale.
- Plates: The seller removes the tags and surrenders them to DC DMV unless transferring them to another vehicle.
- Keep a photo of the signed title, and cancel the insurance once the car has been picked up.
Title rules change, so confirm them with the DC Department of Motor Vehicles before you sell; this page is general information, not legal advice.
Can you junk a car without a title in Washington, D.C.?
Usually not. In Washington, D.C. you'll normally need the title or a duplicate from the DC Department of Motor Vehicles. Our buyer partner can buy some cars without a title, so ask whether that works for yours in Washington, D.C. when you get your offer.
How do I get a duplicate title in Washington, D.C.?
Apply to the DC Department of Motor Vehicles with Certificate of Title/Temporary Tag Application, and have a photo ID and the VIN ready. The fee is $30.00, according to the agency.
Can I sell a car in Washington, D.C. with just a bill of sale?
A bill of sale on its own usually isn't proof of ownership for a titled vehicle. It's a useful record of the sale, but buyers will normally want the title or a duplicate.