Bonded Title

"Bonded Title" is a term commonly used when an individual or firm has obtained a Certificate of Title Surety Bond in order to register a motor vehicle. The Transportation Code §501.053 allows for a bond in the amount of one and one-half times the value of the vehicle, that is effective for a period of three years, this accompanies the documents presented to the County Tax Assessor-Collector, to be filed with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to obtain a motor vehicle title when the previous owner of the motor vehicle does not have possession of the original title.

Although there are valid reasons why a title may not be readily available, you are encouraged to use caution and review the above material if you are considering purchasing a vehicle to which the owner is not in possession of the title at the time you are negotiating the purchase.