Yes, you can track a car's title, but not in the way you might track a package. A car title is a certificate of ownership issued by your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or similar agency. You can't put a GPS tracker on the document itself. Instead, you track its status and location through official channels, primarily to confirm its existence, check for liens, or monitor the transfer process during a sale. The most reliable method is using services linked to the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS), a federal database designed to prevent fraud.
The process depends on your goal. If you're buying a used car, you can use an NMVTIS-approved vehicle history report provider to see the title's brand (e.g., salvage, flood) and if there are any active liens. If you've applied for a duplicate title or are waiting for a title after paying off a loan, you track that request directly through your local DMV, either online, by phone, or in person. The timeline varies significantly by state.
Here’s a brief overview of common title statuses you might encounter:
| Title Status | What It Means | Common Scenarios |
|---|
| Clean/Clear | The vehicle has no major damage history and has no financial liens against it. | Ideal for purchase; the owner has the physical title in hand. |
| Salvage/Rebuilt | The vehicle was declared a total loss by an insurance company but has been repaired and re-certified for road use. | Purchase price is lower, but insurance and resale are challenging. |
| Lien | A bank or lender holds a financial interest in the vehicle until the loan is paid off. | The lender holds the title; you receive it after the final payment. |
| Duplicate | A replacement title has been issued because the original was lost, stolen, or damaged. | Verify why a duplicate was needed, as it could be routine or a red flag. |
| In Transit | The title is being processed or mailed between parties, often after a sale or loan payoff. | Requires patience; tracking is done through the DMV's processing system. |
For security, always verify a title's authenticity through official means before completing a transaction.
