Vehicle Titles FAQ

Pursuant to Wyoming State Statute §31-2-101, every vehicle that has an identifying number, including off-road recreational vehicles, multipurpose vehicles, snowmobiles and watercraft are required to obtain a Wyoming certificate of title, unless they are owned by the United States or used as implements of husbandry (multipurpose vehicles that qualify as implements of husbandry are still required to obtain a certificate of title). 

1. A completed Wyoming Title Application. These applications are found under the Clerk's Office Forms are is titled, "Wyoming Title Application/VIN Inspection Form"
2. Prior Wyoming Title, Out-of-State Title, or Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
3. Chain of ownership must be shown by a properly signed title and/or by a dealer re-assignment form(s)
4. VIN inspection form (if needed, see VIN Inspections)
5. If your vehicle is financed, a Security Agreement, Financing Statement, or Conditional Sales Contract must accompany the title paperwork
6. Termination Statement (lien release) for any open liens still on the previous title
7. A check payable to "Platte County Clerk" for the appropriate Fees
8. Please refer to the drop down menus as to title requirements for specific vehicles.

Note: A rule of thumb for buying vehicles from a dealership is to bring to our office everything the dealership provides when a vehicle is purchased. This is especially true for vehicles bought in another state. It is better to have too much paperwork than not enough!

Pursuant to Wyoming State Statute §31-2-103(vi) the following vehicles need VIN inspections prior to titles being issued:

• All vehicles titled or registered another state
• Homemade vehicles
• Rebuilt vehciles
• Reconstructed vehicles
• Any vehicle assembled from a kit
• Any vehicle for which a bond is required
• Trailers that have never been titled

You do not need a VIN inspection if you have purchased a new vehicle that has a Manufactured Statement of Origin (MSO).

Any Wyoming law enforcement officer can perform a VIN inspection for you. If a vehicle is in the inventory or possession of a licensed Wyoming auto dealer, that dealer may also perform a VIN inspection.

VIN inspection forms are found under the Clerk Forms page. The form is titled, "Wyoming Title Application/VIN Inspection Form" and is listed under the "Motor Vehicle Titles" heading.

Pursuant to Wyoming State Statute §31-2-104(a) the signature(s) of the seller(s) must be signed before a notary.

Titles Issued prior to January 1, 2020:

All owners must sign as "Seller" before a notary. It does not matter if their names are joined with the words, "and" or "or" - all owners listed on the face of the title will be required to sign before a notary.

If a vehicle is held by two (2) or more persons, and those names are held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship (JTWROS) and one of those individuals dies our office needs the surviving owner to sign the title before a notary and to present our office with a death certificate in order to remove the deceased individual as an owner, or transfer their interest to a different individual. 

Effective January 1, 2020:

Pursuant to W.S.S. §31-2-104(m), if a vehicle is held by two (2) or more persons, any person identified as an owner on the certificate of title shall have the right to transfer all interest in the vehicle without the signature of any other owner on the title unless:

• The title that states the vehicle is held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship (JTWROS) 
• The title states the vehicle is held by co-owners in the conjunctive, "and"

So, if multiple owners are listed on a title and that title is joined with joint tenancy with rights of survivorship (JTWROS) or joint tenancy by the entirety then all owners must sign the title before a notary. If multiple owners are listed on a title with the word "and" and they are not joined with JTWROS then all owners must sign the title before a notary. If multiple owners are listed on a title with the word "or" and they are not joined with JTWROS then only one owner is required to sign before a notary without the signature of any other owner (W.S.S. §31-2-104(m)).

If a vehicle is held by two (2) or more persons, and those names are held in joint tenancy with right of survivorship (JTWROS) and one of those individuals dies our office needs the surviving owner to sign the title before a notary and to present our office with a death certificate in order to remove the deceased individual as an owner, or transfer their interest to a different individual. 

If you have lost your title, or it has become mutilated, you may apply for a Duplicate Title. Here's how:

1. Duplicate titles may be obtained through our office by filling out a Duplicate Title Application
2. Duplicate Title Applications must be signed and notarized by all parties named as "owner" on the front of the lost or mutilated title
3. Duplicate Titles can only be issued in the county where the title was originally issued

• The most common title brands include "Salvage", "Rebuilt", and "Salvage RR"
  • The brand "Salvage" means the vehicle has had considerable damage and the vehicle has been declared a total loss, or repairs to the vehicle exceed 75% of the declared value
  • The brand "Rebuilt" means the vehicle has been previously branded "Salvage" but has been rebuilt and has been issued a "Rebuilt" decal (see below)
  • The brand "Salvage RR" referes to an out-of-state title which had been branded "Salvage" in the other state and has now been transferred into Wyoming. "Salvage RR" vehicles may not be licensed in Wyoming until the vehicle has been through Wyoming's rebuilt process (see below)
• Rules for a Salvage title:
• • Owner(s) or insurance company shall prodvide our office with a properly endorsed title and Application for a Title Branded "Salvage"
  • Title must be accompanied by a letter from an insurance company declaring the vehicle a total loss or that repairs exceed 75% of the vehicles value
• Rules for a Rebuilt title:
• • If not already done, owners must first get a Wyoming title branded "Salvage" or "Salvage RR"
  • Make an application to the Department of Transportation (application for rebuilt decal can be obtained in this office or from WYDOT) and follow all instructions on the application
  • Applicant is issued a rebuilt decal which is to be applied to the driver's door jamb
  • Bring "Salvage" title back to our office with a letter from WYDOT with the rebuilt decal number on it, and we will issue a "Rebuilt" title
• Exemptions to the Wyoming Branded Titles law:
• • Vehicles older than eight years
  • Commercial vehicles
  • Although the above vehicles are exempt from going through Wyoming's rebuild process, once a vehicle has been branded, the brand must be carried forward on each subsequent title.

• MPVs are defined by Wyoming State Statute §31-1-101(a)(xv)(M)
• Examples of MPVs are: 4-wheelers, Mules, Rangers, golf carts, Argos, etc. 
• All new, or out-of-state, MPVs must be accompanied with a completed MPV Checklist Form before an MPV title can be issued
• Effective January 1, 2008 all MPV owners are required to obtain a vehicles title for their MPV
• Customers can obtain the information sheet and checklist to determine if their vehicle is a MPV and if their MPV meets the requirements to operate on public roads by visiting the WYDOT website
• If customers have any questions about documentation required to obtain a MPV title, please call the Clerk's office at (307) 322-2315
• For more questions about what an MPV, or how to obtain a license plate, please visit the Treasurer's MPV webpage and WYDOT's MPV FAQ

• ORVs are defined by Wyoming State Statute §31-1-101(a)(xv)(K)
• All new, or out-of-state, ORVs must be accompanied with a completed MPV Checklist Form before an ORV title can be issued
• All ORV owners are required to obtain a vehicles title for their ORV
• ORVs cannot be registered as they do not meet the road-worthy requirements pursuant to Wyoming State Statute Title 31, Chapter 5
• ORV titles will indicate that those vehicles are unable to obtain registration
• For more questions about whether your vehicle qualifies as an ORV please visit WYDOT's MPV FAQ

• Mopeds are defined by Wyoming State Statute §31-1-101(a)(xv)(C)
• Mopeds are vehicles equipped with an engine of fifty (50) cubic centimeters, or less, and has foot pedals to permit muscular propulsion by human power
• Mopeds are required to be titled but cannot be registered pursuant to Wyoming State Statute §31-2-224(a)(viii)
• Motorcycles are defined by Wyoming State Statute §31-1-101(a)(xv)(E)
• Motorcycles are vehicles equipped with an engine of fifty-one (51) cubic centimeters, or more, that meet Federal Safety Standards (Federal Safety Label will be affixed to the vehicle)
• Motorcycles are required to be titled and are eligible to be registered to allow on-street travel
• If a vehicle is equipped with an engine of fifty-one (51) cubic centimeters, or more, but does not meet Federal Safety Standards that vehicle will be titled as a "Dirt bike"
• Dirt Bikes are classified as "Off-road recreational vehicles" as defined by Wyoming State Statute §31-1-101(a)(xv)(K)
• Dirt Bikes are required to be titled but cannot be registered pursuant to Wyoming State Statute §31-2-224(b)

For more information about the differences between mopeds, motorcycles and dirt bikes please see WYDOT's MPV FAQ

• Liens filed against vehicles must be in the form of a Security Agreement, Conditional Sales Contract, or a UCC (Uniform Commercial Code) Financing Statement
• If a lien is to be filed on a title, the lien papers must accompany a Wyoming Certificate of Title or paperwork needed to make a Wyoming Certificate of Title
• All liens against vehicles must be noted on the Certificate of Title for that vehicle
• Liens must be filed in the office of the County Clerk for the county in which the owner resides
• All liens must have an amount of lien, collateral description including VIN number, debtor's name and address, secured party's name and address, and a payment schedule

For more information about UCCs, please visit the Wyoming Secretary of State's website.