Missouri Car-Selling Guide

How to Sell a Car Without a Title in Missouri

Lost, damaged, or never received your Missouri title? You still have legal ways to sell. Here's how it works in 2026, based on official Missouri rules — plus the fastest way to just get a cash offer.

Different state?

Missouri handles titles through the Department of Revenue and license offices, and the application must be notarized. Here's how to replace a lost title and sell.

Path 1 — Most vehicles

Get a duplicate title

Complete Form 108 (Application for Missouri Title and License), mark the 'Duplicate' box, state the reason, and have it notarized. The cost is about $17.50 ($8.50 duplicate + $9 processing). Submit at any Missouri license office or by mail. If a lien shows, include a notarized lien release.

Path 2 — No title from seller

Bonded title

If you can't get a clean title (e.g. the seller never had one in their name), Missouri offers a bonded title: Form 108, a statement of how you acquired the vehicle, a vehicle exam (Form 551) by the Highway Patrol, and a surety bond. It's generally a last resort once other paths are exhausted.

Skip the paperwork

Not sure which path fits your car?

Tell us the year and condition — we'll tell you exactly what's needed and make a real cash offer, with free towing at pickup.

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Missouri Essentials

Selling in Missouri — the essentials

The quick reference for signing your car over the right way in Missouri.

Where to sign

Sign the title in the seller section; notarization is required in some situations.

Notary

Sometimes — required in certain cases.

License plates

Keep your plates — they stay with you and can transfer to your next car.

Good to know

Missouri requires a safety/emissions inspection on many transfers, with exemptions for older and non-running cars.

Before You Sell

A quick checklist

Three things worth confirming before you hand over the keys.

Check for a lien. Any recorded lien must be released before a clean title can issue.
Keep a bill of sale. A written record — buyer and seller info, vehicle details, price, and date — protects you.
Match the name. The seller's name should match the title record.

Ready when you are

Ready to sell your Missouri car?

Running or not, title or no title — get a real cash offer in about two minutes, with free towing.

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This guide is general information based on Missouri rules current as of 2026, not legal advice. Requirements can change and situations vary — confirm details with the official state source (official Missouri DMV page) before acting.