46.2-632 - Transfer when certificate of title lost. - Virginia Statutes

§ 46.2-632. Transfer when certificate of title lost.

A. Whenever the applicant for the registration of a motor vehicle, trailer,or semitrailer or a new certificate of title is unable to present acertificate of title because the certificate has been lost or unlawfullydetained by one in possession of it or whenever the certificate of title isotherwise not available, the Department may receive the application andinvestigate the circumstances of the case and may require the filing ofaffidavits or other information. When the Department is satisfied that theapplicant is entitled to the title, it may register the motor vehicle,trailer, or semitrailer and issue a new registration card, license plate, orplates and certificate of title to the person entitled to it.

B. Whenever the insurance company or its agent makes application for acertificate of title to a vehicle that is not a salvage vehicle as defined in§ 46.2-1600 and is unable to present a certificate of title, the Departmentmay receive the application along with an affidavit indicating that thevehicle was acquired as the result of the claims process and describing theefforts made by the insurance company or its agent to obtain the certificateof title from the previous owner. When the Department is satisfied that theapplicant is entitled to the title, it may issue a certificate of title tothe person entitled to it. The Commissioner may charge a fee of $25 for theexpense of processing an application under this subsection that isaccompanied by an affidavit. Such fee shall be in addition to any other feesand taxes required. All fees collected under the provisions of thissubsection shall be paid into the state treasury and set aside as a specialfund to be used to meet the expenses of the Department.

(Code 1950, § 46-88; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-92; 1989, c. 727; 2009, c. 171.)