This is a concise guide on how to get a VIN number and title for a car you’ve either bought or built from scratch. If you’ve ever wondered how to make your newly constructed car road-legal without resorting to using VIN numbers from a donor vehicle, you’re in the right place.
Let’s take the car that 1194video built as an example. The car is a completely new build — a 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback, assembled with all brand-new parts. Since it’s essentially a new car, it doesn’t have any existing VIN numbers. So, how do you get a VIN number and a title for such a vehicle? Here’s a step-by-step guide:
How To Get a VIN Number and Title For Your Custom or New Vehicle Build
Document Everything
First things first, you need to take detailed photos of each corner of your vehicle. Print these photos out as they will be required later.
Gather All Receipts
Compile all the receipts for the parts you purchased to build your car. If you bought a pre-built body, make sure you have the Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin (MSO) tag and the receipt for the body. Additionally, it’s helpful to create a list where you’ve added up the total cost of the parts and a separate column for the taxes paid on these parts.
Visit Your Local County Clerk
With your photos and receipts in hand, head to your local County Clerk’s office. Present your documentation, and they’ll guide you through filling out the necessary paperwork to apply for a new VIN number—not a replacement for a lost title, but an entirely new number.
Pay the Fees
In most cases, you’ll only need to pay a small fee (about $15 in my state). Once this is done, you’ll be given a registration paper with the newly issued VIN number for your car.
Inspection and VIN Issuance
After about a month, a state inspector will visit to check your car. They’ll ensure that nothing on the car is stolen and verify that everything is assembled correctly. Once the inspection is complete, they will issue a decal with the new VIN number and place it on your car’s door jamb.
Receiving Your Title
After the inspection, the paperwork will be filed, and within a week, you should receive your car’s title in the mail.
Special Cases: Body Swaps
If you’ve performed a body swap, like putting an old Mustang body onto a new Mustang chassis, the VIN number must correspond to the body, not the chassis. The state will inspect the original VIN number from the chassis, ensuring it matches their records, and then issue a new VIN number based on the body. This prevents any legal complications and ensures your vehicle is properly registered.
Conclusion
By following these steps, you can legally register and drive your brand-new build or modified car. Remember, always ensure the VIN number matches the body of your vehicle, not the chassis. This avoids any legal issues and potential impoundments.
