Getting a title for a bike with no paperwork is one of the most common problems riders run into, and it stops a lot of good bikes from ever hitting the road. You bought it used. The seller had nothing. Or the paperwork got lost, destroyed, or was never transferred properly. It happens constantly with dirt bikes, motorcycles, ATVs, and project bikes.
The good news: no title does not mean no options. Depending on your state, the bike's history, and what documentation you do have, there are several legitimate paths forward. This guide covers every major route, what each one costs, how long each takes, and what you actually need to make it work.
If you are sitting on a bike you cannot ride because the paperwork is a mess, keep reading. By the end, you will know exactly where to start.
Why Bikes End Up Without Titles in the First Place
Before you can fix the problem, it helps to know what kind of no-title situation you are dealing with. Not all missing paperwork cases are the same, and the path forward depends on the specifics.
The bike was never titled to begin with
Off-road bikes and dirt bikes are frequently sold without titles because many states do not require titles for off-road-only vehicles. The bike may have passed through five owners using nothing but a bill of sale each time. That chain of bills of sale is actually useful when you go to establish ownership.
The title was lost or never transferred
Private sales happen fast. Sellers forget to sign the title over. Papers get lost in a move. Sometimes a bike sits in a garage for a decade and no one knows where the documents went. In these cases, the title may still exist in a state database, even if the physical paper is gone.
The seller could not produce documentation
Some bikes were bought at auction, salvage yards, or estate sales where no paperwork was ever available. Barn finds and project bikes fall into this category constantly. The bike is real, the ownership is real, but there is no paper trail to prove it.
Understanding which situation applies to you is step one. It determines which of the paths below will work fastest and at the lowest cost.
Option 1 Rewrite using a comma, or split into two sentences. Never use em dash as a clause separator. Bonded Title
A bonded title is one of the most common solutions for getting a title for a bike with no paperwork. It is a real, state-issued title, but it carries a notation that a surety bond backs it. The bond protects any previous owner who might later come forward with a legitimate claim.
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You start by getting the bike's VIN checked through your state DMV or a service like the NHTSA VIN Lookup to confirm it is not stolen and to get an assessed value. Then you purchase a surety bond, typically for 1.5x the appraised value of the bike. You submit the bond along with your application to the state, and the DMV issues you a bonded title.
Cost and timeline for a bonded title
Surety bond costs vary based on the value of the vehicle, but for most bikes they run between $100 and $300. Processing time at most state DMVs is two to six weeks. After three years in most states, the bond notation is dropped and you get a clean title. This is one of the most direct paths for motorcycles and street bikes. For more detail on this specific process, read our guide on motorcycle registration without title bonded title, which walks through the full bonded title workflow step by step.
Which states offer bonded titles
Most states offer bonded titles, but the exact rules vary. Some states require a VIN inspection before issuing one. A handful of states do not offer bonded titles at all and require a court order instead. Check your state DMV's website for current requirements before you start the process.
Option 2 Rewrite using a comma, or split into two sentences. Never use em dash as a clause separator. Montana Registration Without a Title
Montana has some of the most flexible vehicle registration rules in the country. The state does not require a title to register many vehicle types, which makes it a practical path for bikes that have no paperwork at all.
Why Montana works for no-paperwork bikes
Montana does not have a general sales tax on vehicles. There are no emissions inspections and no smog requirements. For bikes without titles, the state will often accept a bill of sale plus supporting documentation as a basis for registration. Once registered, you can work toward getting a proper title issued through the Montana Motor Vehicle Division.
The official Montana title and registration process is outlined at Montana Vehicle Title and Registration on the DOJ website. Requirements vary by vehicle type, so checking the current rules directly is worth doing before you start.
Using a Montana LLC to register the bike
Many riders form a Montana LLC to hold the vehicle registration. The LLC approach is common for bikes coming from states with high registration fees or strict titling rules. Street Legal Hookup works directly with a state-licensed Montana processor, which means you are getting the real thing, not a middleman guessing at the process. For bikes with complex title situations, this processor-direct access matters. You can also check out the HMMWV Registration team's breakdown of how to register a vehicle without a title in Montana for a parallel look at how no-title registration works in practice.
What documentation Montana typically accepts
- Signed bill of sale from the seller
- Chain of bills of sale if the bike passed through multiple owners
- Affidavit of ownership in some cases
- VIN verification from a licensed inspector
- Photos of the bike and VIN plate
If you already have a dirt bike you are working to get street-legal, our article on dirt bike registration without title covers the registration side in more detail.
Option 3 Rewrite using a comma, or split into two sentences. Never use em dash as a clause separator. Bill of Sale and State Title Application
If you have any documentation at all, even just a handwritten bill of sale, you may be able to apply for a title directly through your home state. Many states have a process specifically designed for vehicles that changed hands without proper title transfer.
What a strong bill of sale needs
A bill of sale should include the full name and contact information of the seller and buyer, the date of sale, the purchase price, the VIN, the make, model, and year of the bike, and the seller's signature. The stronger your bill of sale, the smoother the state title application process typically goes.
When states require additional steps
Some states will ask for a VIN inspection by a law enforcement officer or licensed inspector before issuing a title on a bill of sale. Others require a notarized affidavit. A few will ask you to run a public notice period during which any previous owner can come forward. These extra steps add time but are manageable when you know they are coming.
Connecting bill of sale to street-legal status
Getting the title is just one part of the process for bikes that also need to be made street-legal. If your bike needs equipment upgrades to meet road requirements, our guide on how to make a dirt bike street legal covers the full equipment checklist. And for specific lighting and safety requirements, check out the street legal dirt bike headlight horn mirror requirements article.
Option 4 Rewrite using a comma, or split into two sentences. Never use em dash as a clause separator. Court Order Title
A court order title is the heavy-duty option when all other paths are blocked. It is more time-consuming and more expensive, but it produces a clean title with no bond notation. Courts in most states have jurisdiction to issue a title to someone who can demonstrate legitimate possession and ownership of a vehicle.
When a court order title makes sense
This path makes sense when the bike has a high value and a bonded title is not ideal for future resale. It also applies when the state does not offer bonded titles, or when you want the cleanest possible paper trail from the start. Classic and vintage motorcycles often fall into this category because clean documentation directly affects resale value.
What the court order process involves
You file a petition in small claims or civil court, depending on your state. You present evidence of ownership, including bills of sale, VIN records, payment receipts, and any photos or records showing your possession of the bike. The court reviews the evidence and, if satisfied, issues an order directing the DMV to title the vehicle in your name. The DMV then processes the title based on that court order.
Comparing Your Title Recovery Options
| Method | Documentation Needed | Typical Cost | Timeline | Clean Title? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonded Title | VIN check, bond purchase, application | $200-$500 total | 2-6 weeks | After 3 years |
| Montana Registration | Bill of sale, VIN verification, LLC setup | Varies by service | 2-4 weeks | Montana title issued |
| Bill of Sale + State Application | Signed bill of sale, possible inspection | State DMV fees only | 2-8 weeks | Yes |
| Court Order Title | Full ownership evidence, court filing | $300-$1,000+ | 1-6 months | Yes, clean |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a title for a dirt bike with just a bill of sale?
In many states, yes. A signed bill of sale is often enough to start a title application, especially if you can also provide a VIN inspection. Some states require additional steps like a notarized affidavit or a short public notice period. The stronger your bill of sale, with complete seller information, VIN, price, and signature, the better your chances of a clean result. If your state does not accept a bill of sale alone, Montana registration or a bonded title are the two most practical backups.
What if the VIN plate is missing or damaged on my bike?
A missing or altered VIN is a serious issue and needs to be addressed carefully. Most states require a VIN inspection before any title can be issued. If the original VIN is gone, you may need to apply for an assigned VIN through your state DMV. Do not try to fabricate or copy a VIN. Work with your state motor vehicle division to get a ly assigned replacement VIN before starting any title application.
How do I know if my bike is stolen before I try to title it?
Run the VIN through the NHTSA VIN Lookup and through your state DMV's records. Many states also use NICB (National Insurance Crime Bureau) databases. If the bike comes back as stolen, do not attempt to title it. Return it to law enforcement. Buying a stolen vehicle, even unknowingly, is a serious problem and no title service can fix that situation.
Is getting a title for a motorcycle without paperwork different than for a dirt bike?
The process is similar but the stakes are different. Street motorcycles typically have a title requirement in almost every state, so the pressure to sort out the paperwork is higher. Dirt bikes may only need titles if you want to make them street-legal. The available methods, bonded title, Montana registration, bill of sale application, and court order, apply to both. Our detailed post on how to title a dirt bike without title covers the dirt bike side specifically. For street motorcycles, see our guide on street legal motorcycle without title.
Will a Montana title be accepted in my home state?
Montana titles are real, state-issued titles recognized across the country. If you register your bike through a Montana LLC, your registration is valid in all 50 states. That said, if you later move the bike to your home state's registration system, some states may ask you to re-title it locally using the Montana title as the supporting document. That process is typically straightforward once you hold a valid title from any state.
How long does the whole process take if I use a registration service?
Processing times depend on the method and the state. Bonded titles typically take two to six weeks. Montana registration through a licensed processor generally runs two to four weeks once your documents are in order. Court order titles take the longest, sometimes months, depending on your local court calendar. Using a processor-direct service like Street Legal Hookup means someone who knows the system is handling the paperwork, which cuts down on mistakes and back-and-forth delays.
What does it cost to get a title for a bike with no paperwork?
Costs vary widely by method and state. A bonded title might run $200 to $500 total including state fees and the surety bond premium. Montana registration costs depend on the service you use plus Montana's state fees. A court order title can run $300 to well over $1,000 depending on attorney involvement. For most riders, the bonded title or Montana route is the most cost-effective path. The Montana Vehicle Title and Registration page lists current state fee schedules.
Do I need a title to insure my bike?
Most insurers want to see a title or registration before issuing a policy, especially for street use. Some will insure a bike with a bill of sale during the title-recovery process, but coverage may be limited. Getting your title sorted out first is always the cleaner path before you start shopping for insurance. Once you have a valid title and registration, standard insurance options open up. For requirements around insuring a street-legal dirt bike, the article on street legal dirt bike insurance requirements is worth reading.
Get Moving on Your Bike Title
Getting a title for a bike with no paperwork is a solvable problem. Bonded titles, Montana registration, bill of sale applications, and court orders are all proven methods that riders use every day to get their bikes street-legal and properly documented. The right path depends on what documentation you have, what state you are in, and what you want to do with the bike.
Street Legal Hookup is backed by a state-licensed Montana processor and handles the hard cases other services turn away. Whether your bike is a barn-find dirt bike, a used motorcycle bought without paperwork, or a project machine that never had a clear title, the team here has worked through situations like yours. Verified customer reviews are growing daily because the process works.
Stop letting the paperwork hold your bike back. Start your title recovery today and get on the road where you belong.
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