Surety bonds • Texas
Texas Bonded Title: How the Certificate of Title Bond Works
If you bought a vehicle in Texas without a proper title, you may be able to get a bonded title. TxDMV reviews your evidence of ownership and, if approved, sets a surety bond equal to 1½ times the vehicle’s value. You buy the bond, then apply for the title at your county tax office. Published bond prices start around $100 for a three-year term on lower-value vehicles.
This guide covers eligibility, how the bond amount is set, the steps, and costs. Blake Insurance Group is an independent agency, and a licensed agent can help you get the bond once you have your notice from TxDMV.
Request a Texas title bond
Tell us the bond amount on your Notice of Determination and the vehicle, and a licensed agent will follow up. Submitting the form does not bind coverage.
If the form does not load, call 888-387-3687, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00, or email info@blakeinsurancegroup.com.
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Get a surety bond quote online, without waiting for a call back. Many license and permit bonds can be issued the same day.
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Who can get a bonded title
- You must be a Texas resident or military personnel stationed in Texas.
- You must have the vehicle, and it cannot be junked, nonrepairable, or otherwise ineligible for title.
- The vehicle must be complete, with a frame, body, and motor (frame and motor for a motorcycle).
- You need a lien release or letter of no interest for any recorded lien less than 10 years old.
Source: TxDMV.
How the bond amount is set
If TxDMV approves your application, it issues a Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND) setting the bond at 1½ times the value of the vehicle. Value comes first from TxDMV’s Standard Presumptive Value, then a NADA guide, then a dated appraisal on Form VTR-125. Vehicles 25 years or older valued under $4,000 are set at $4,000, and trailers can use set values of $4,000 (under 20 feet) or $7,000 (20 feet or more) (TxDMV).
Steps to get a Texas bonded title
- Apply to TxDMV with Form VTR-130-SOF, evidence of ownership, ID, any required lien release, and the $15 administrative fee. Vehicles never titled in Texas also need a VTR-68-A inspection.
- Buy the surety bond for the amount on your Notice of Determination within one year of the notice.
- Apply for the title at your county tax office within 30 days of buying the bond, with Form 130-U and the documents from step 1.
Source: TxDMV.
How much a Texas title bond costs
| Bond amount | Published price |
|---|---|
| Up to $6,000 | $100 |
| $6,001 to $50,000 | From $100 |
| $50,001 to $200,000 | Higher; application required |
Prices published by SuretyBonds.com.
What the bond protects
The bond protects anyone who later proves a better claim to the vehicle, such as a prior owner or lienholder. If the surety pays such a claim, you must repay it.
Texas bonded title FAQs
How much is a Texas title bond?
The bond amount is 1½ times the vehicle’s value. Published premiums start around $100 for a three-year term on lower-value vehicles.
How long do I have to buy the bond?
One year from the date of TxDMV’s notice; after that, you need a new notice.
What does TxDMV charge to apply for a bonded title?
A $15 administrative fee.
Related guides
Important information
Compensation. The link in the partner quote box near the top of this page is sponsored, and Blake Insurance Group may be paid if you make a purchase. Sponsored placement does not affect the other information on this page.
Independent agency. Blake Insurance Group LLC is an independent insurance agency. Licensed insurance producer NPN 16944666. Licensed states: AZ, AL, TX, CA, NY, OH, FL, NC, VA, GA, OK, NM, IA, KS, MI, NE, SC, SD, WV, IL, NJ, PA, TN, and WA. Which insurance companies we can quote depends on our current appointments, the product, and your state. Mentioning a company on this page does not mean we represent it.
Cost figures. Published averages and ranges are cited from the sources named, as of the dates shown. They are not quotes and may not reflect your price, which depends on the insurer, the surety, your credit, the bond type, and underwriting.
Availability. Coverage, prices, discounts, and eligibility vary by insurer, state, and applicant, and are subject to underwriting. The issued policy controls.
Your next step
Once you have your Notice of Determination, a licensed agent can help with your Texas title bond, or start a bond quote online with our partner.
