# Title 37 — Department of Transportation

## Article 37-12 — Motor Vehicle Division

## Chapter 37-12-04 — Obtaining Certificate of Title for Untitled Vehicles

### § 37-12-04-01. Procedure.

If a North Dakota resident owns a vehicle for which the resident is unable to obtain a proper
certificate of title, the motor vehicle division will use the following forms and procedures to determine
ownership of a vehicle and issue a certificate of title:
1. A check of the records of the motor vehicle division, as well as the records of other
appropriate states, will be conducted to determine if a certificate of title has previously been
issued. The applicant must provide the results of a department-approved vehicle title history
check.
2. If no record of a previous certificate of title is found, the motor vehicle division will issue a
North Dakota certificate of title to the applicant upon receipt of:
a. A notarized bill of sale.
b. A photograph of the vehicle identification number plate.
c. Current photographs of the front, side, and rear of the vehicle.
d. Copy of North Dakota driver's license or North Dakota state-issued identification.
e. SFN 60689 statement of fact is required if the vehicle will not be registered.
f. A vehicle statement of ownership from the applicant (form SFN 2903).
g. An inspection of the vehicle by a business that is registered with the secretary of state, is
in good standing, and offers vehicle repair to the public. The business completing the
certificate of inspection may not be the business that reconstructed the vehicle and must
state the vehicle is in compliance with the requirements of North Dakota Century Code
chapter 39-21 (form SFN 2486).
h. Appropriate title fee, license fees, and motor vehicle excise tax.
3. When there is no record of a previous title, the motor vehicle division will check the national
crime information center computer to determine that the vehicle is not listed as a stolen
vehicle.
4. If a record of a previous certificate of title is found, the motor vehicle division will advise the
applicant of the name and address of the last owner of the vehicle but will take no further
action to issue a certificate of title. The applicant must obtain the certificate of title from the last
owner or obtain an order of the court awarding ownership to the applicant.
History: Effective July 1, 2008; amended effective April 1, 2014; January 1, 2021.
General Authority: NDCC 39-05-20(1)
Law Implemented: NDCC 39-05-20(1)
