home built, no numers, how do i get a title?

I can tell you at least in the late 90's ther was one vehicle titled in two states with the same VIN and two different owners. While it was not mine, I was fairly deep in it trying to assist a friend in clearing it up.

Vehicle was titled in state #1 and physically in that state. Vehicle was given to son living in state #2 by parent living in state #3. Vehicle registered owner dies in state #3. Before parent dies, son registers vehicle in state #2 with vehicle still physically in state #1. After parent dies, new spouse files in state #3 for title, vehicle never physically in state #3.
New title issued in state #3, vehicle is taken from state #1 before son can get to state #1 to pick up vehicle stored at neutral parties location.
Now fun begins. Vehicle is now sold and registered AGAIN in state #1, after state #1 title is replaced by state #2 title. Dates from LEIN all verified, title from #2 predates #3 state's title.
State #3 said they would not get involved as vehicle was never physically in that state, #2 state said the same thing. State #1 said that it was a civil, not a criminal matter due to it being a estate matter even though parent died befor the date of the first title change.

I personally saw all the paperwork supporting son's ownership . In fact, I had the registration and license plates in my possession a couple of weeks before the car was taken and subsequently "sold" by the new spouse. The storage area was "secure", my friend was assured.

So, it could happen multiple titles at the same time. Unless a vehicle is listed as stolen, there are no flags on VIN's in multiple states.

 

Like I said, 2010. Perhaps even earlier. How else could the authorities track stolen cars state to state? Trust me, there is a national database.

 

Moral of the story: Don't be a Kriminal - Make sure you get a title when you buy your project. Don't wait until you finish building it to realize you need a title to drive it on the street.

 

I just used this guy for a title,the car that I put together is a pile of parts from everywhere,with no paperwork,title or tags.The Title Man 585-232-3217.It was painless all I had to do was write a check.I now have a legal title for my '28 tudor.Good luck

 

I understand that once a vehicle is listed as stolen, it is listed as such until it is recovered. However long that is.

The case I cited earlier, the car was never listed as stolen. Just two titles issued in two states, one a transfer of a valid out of state title and a fraudulent one issued upon a statement made that the original title was lost. The person making that statement perjured themself because that person knew that the car was given to the son and knew the son had it stored in the other state. And all states involved declined to get involved, even though a DMV investigator in state #1 said there was a case, his superiors declared it a civil matter, not criminal. At least this case proves at one time you could have the same vehicle registered in different states at the same time.

And, the last time I checked, at least in Michigan a VIN to a unregistered vehicle is only kept on the state's records accessible by LEO for ten years.
I wonder if there is a way to trace VINs that are out of the system?