West Virginia Form DMV-4-TR, the Affidavit of Duplicate Title for a Vehicle or Watercraft (Rev. 04/2022), is the sworn form a vehicle or boat owner files with the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles to replace a title that is lost, stolen, destroyed, defaced, or never received. You file it when you cannot find your paper title and need proof you own your car, truck, or watercraft.
Losing a title can feel scary, especially in the middle of a sale or a loan payoff. The good news is the process is short, the fee is small, and one careful afternoon usually fixes it. The single biggest trap is Section D: if your vehicle ever carried a lien and you skip that section, the DMV mails your new title straight to the old lender instead of to you. West Virginia charges a flat $15.00 for a duplicate title, and a clean application is often processed within a couple of weeks, while a flawed one can stall for months.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 🧾 How to fill out every box on Form DMV-4-TR, line by line, in plain English
- 🔍 Which documents and ID copies you must gather before you start
- 🚗 Three full walkthroughs for a lost car title, a paid-off loan title, and a boat title
- ⚠️ The lien and signature mistakes that cause the DMV to reject or misroute your title
- 📬 Every way to file (mail, in person, drop box), with addresses, fees, and proof to keep
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form DMV-4-TR is a legal affidavit, which means you sign it under oath and swear the facts are true. It is not a simple request slip. By signing, you tell the West Virginia DMV that you are the legal owner of record and that your original Certificate of Title is gone or unusable. The form itself warns that a false statement can be the crime of perjury, carrying a fine of up to $100.00 or up to thirty days in the county jail, or both.
You must file this form if you are the titled owner of a West Virginia vehicle or watercraft and you no longer have a usable original title. Common filers include a person who misplaced a title in a move, a driver whose title was destroyed in a flood or fire, an owner who never received a title that the DMV says it mailed, and someone whose title is so faded or torn that a buyer or lender will not accept it. Boat owners use the same form, since West Virginia titles many watercraft.
The form ties together five parties. The owner swears the affidavit, the DMV receives and processes it, the lien holder (if any) must release its interest in Section D, a notary or officer may witness the signature, and West Virginia title law gives the DMV the power to issue a replacement. Each part depends on the others. If the lien holder does not release, the DMV cannot mail the title to you. If the owner does not sign, the DMV cannot process the affidavit at all. Always confirm the Rev. 04/2022 date in the top corner so you know you have the current version.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Filing with a missing item is the most common reason a duplicate title request bounces back, and each round trip by mail adds days or weeks.
- Your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull Number. This is the unique fingerprint of your vehicle or boat, and the DMV uses it to find your record. A wrong digit can match the form to the wrong vehicle or no vehicle at all.
- The make, model, and year. These confirm the vehicle on the form matches the one in the DMV system. A mismatch can trigger a manual review.
- Your license plate or registration number. This helps the DMV link the title to your active record. If you leave it blank and your name is common, your file is harder to locate.
- Your title number, if you have it. It speeds verification. If you lost the title and do not know the number, you can leave it for DMV use, but having it helps.
- A copy of your valid government-issued photo ID. The form requires this. Without it, the DMV will not process your application, full stop.
- A copy of your registration card, if available. It is not always required, but it backs up your ownership claim and reduces questions.
- Lien release paperwork, if a lien ever existed. If your loan is paid off, you need the lender to complete Section D or provide a separate release. Skip this and your title goes to the old lender.
- A check or money order for $15.00. The DMV does not take cash by mail. A missing or wrong payment stops the whole transaction.
- A power of attorney form (DMV-9-TR), if someone signs for you. The owner must sign unless a valid power of attorney is attached.
Set all of these on the table before you write a single word. Owners who gather first and write second almost always finish in one try.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The official form lives on the West Virginia DMV website. You can download the current DMV-4-TR PDF directly, or find it on the DMV Forms page by searching the form number. It is a fillable PDF, so you can type your answers on a computer and then print it, or print it blank and write by hand. The form must be signed in ink, so you cannot finish it fully online.
You can also pick up a paper copy at any West Virginia regional DMV office. Staff there can hand you the form and answer quick questions about which boxes apply to your situation. If you have no printer and no nearby office, you can call the DMV at 1-800-642-9066 and ask how to receive one.
When you print, use plain white paper and print both pages, since Section D and the affidavit language appear on the form and must travel with your application. The form tells you to print in blue or black ink only. Pencil or other colors can cause a scan to reject. Confirm the Rev. 04/2022 stamp before you fill anything in, because an outdated version pulled from a random third-party site may be missing fields the DMV now requires.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form DMV-4-TR Line by Line
Work through the form in the order the sections appear: the reason checkbox first, then Section A, Section B, Section C, Section D, and Section E. Use blue or black ink and print clearly. Each part below tells you what the box asks, how to answer, an example, a tricky edge case, the mistake to avoid, and a myth to drop.
1. Select Reason for Requesting Duplicate (Check Only One)
This top box asks why you need a new title, and it lists five choices: Lost, Destroyed, Never Received, Defaced (attach defaced title), and Change of Address. Pick the one that matches your real situation and check only that single box. If your title is torn or faded, choose Defaced and staple the damaged title to the form. If you moved and want the correct address printed, choose Change of Address.
For example, James Carter checks Lost because his title vanished after a kitchen remodel. He does not check anything else.
A common edge case is the “I think it was stolen” situation. There is no separate theft box, so most filers check Lost since the result is the same: the title is gone and you need a new one. The most common mistake is checking two boxes because more than one seems to fit, and that forces the DMV to call you for clarification, which delays the title. A frequent misconception is that the reason you pick changes the fee. It does not; the fee is $15.00 no matter which box you check.
2. Section A: Owner(s) Information
Section A asks for the legal owner’s name and full mailing address, including Owner(s) Name(s), Address, City, State, and Zip. Write your name exactly as it appears on the DMV record and your current address where you want the title mailed. If two people own the vehicle, list both names.
For example, Maria Lopez writes her name as it reads on her registration and enters 412 Maple Ave, Beckley, WV 25801.
A key edge case is joint ownership. The form warns that if the title reads “AND,” both owners’ signatures MUST appear, so list both names here and have both sign later. If you sign for a company, indicate your title or position. The most common mistake is entering an old address out of habit, which sends your new title to a home you no longer occupy and can let a stranger receive it. A misconception is that a nickname or shortened name is fine; the DMV cross-checks against its record, and a name that does not match can put a hold on your file.
3. Section B: Vehicle/Watercraft Information
Section B is the description of the property. It asks for the Make, Year, VIN or Hull No, Body Style or Hull Material, Plate or Reg. No, and whether this is a Vehicle Title or a Boat Title. Copy these straight from your registration card or any old paperwork, since accuracy here is what lets the DMV match the form to your record.
For example, James Carter enters Make: Toyota, Year: 2018, VIN: 4T1B11HK1JU000000, Body Style: 4-Door Sedan, Plate No: ABC-1234, and checks Vehicle Title.
The watercraft edge case matters here. A boat owner enters the Hull Number instead of a VIN, the Hull Material (such as fiberglass or aluminum) instead of body style, and checks Boat Title. The most common mistake is a transposed VIN digit, which either matches no record or, worse, matches a different vehicle and routes your title incorrectly. A misconception is that the plate number alone identifies the car; the VIN or hull number is the true key, so never leave it blank.
4. Section C: Owner/Applicant Certification
Section C is the sworn heart of the form. It states that you, being duly sworn upon oath, are the owner and that the information is correct, and it spells out the perjury penalty of up to $100.00 or thirty days in jail. You complete it by signing on the Signature of Applicant or Legal Representative line (and a second owner line if needed) and the Signature of Owner line in ink.
For example, Maria Lopez signs her name on the applicant line exactly as printed in Section A, and her co-owner husband signs the second line because their title reads “AND.”
A frequent edge case involves notarization. The form contains a Signature of Notary, Commission Expiration Date, and Signature of Officer/Title block, so if a notary or DMV officer witnesses your signature, that block gets completed at signing. Do not sign the affidavit at home if a notary must watch you sign. The most common mistake is one co-owner signing for both on an “AND” title, which makes the affidavit invalid and bounces the whole packet. A misconception is that typing your name counts as a signature; the affidavit requires an actual ink signature.
5. Section D: Discharge of Lien Holder(s)
Section D is the trap that snags more West Virginia filers than any other box. The form is blunt: if the vehicle or watercraft has EVER had a lien against it, Section D MUST be completed by the lien holder before a clear title can be issued, and if Section D is not completed, the title will be mailed directly to the lien holder on record. It asks for the Name of Lien Holder, a statement that the lien is fully paid, satisfied, and released, the date of release, and the Signature of a duly authorized agent for the lien holder.
For example, David Nguyen paid off his truck loan with Mountain State Credit Union, so a credit union officer fills in the lender name, checks that the lien is satisfied, dates it, and signs as the authorized agent.
The big edge case is a loan you paid off years ago. Even if the lien is long dead, if it ever appeared on the title record, the DMV still routes the title to that old lender unless Section D is signed or you attach a separate lien release. The most common mistake is the owner signing Section D themselves; only the lien holder’s authorized agent can complete it, and an owner-signed release is rejected. A widespread misconception is that paying off the loan automatically clears the DMV record; it often does not, which is exactly why Section D exists.
6. Section E: Release Affidavit (Authorization to Receive the Title)
Section E lets you name who should receive the duplicate title. It reads I, [vehicle or watercraft owner], hereby authorize [name of dealership, lien holder, or individual] to receive my duplicate title, with a line for that party’s Name and Address. Use this only if you want the title mailed to someone other than yourself, such as a dealer handling a sale or a lender financing a purchase.
For example, James Carter leaves Section E blank because he wants the title mailed to his own home in Beckley.
A useful edge case is an active sale. If a dealership is buying or financing your vehicle, you can authorize the dealership here so the title goes straight to them, which can speed a transaction. The most common mistake is filling in Section E by accident with your own name and a wrong address, which can misroute the title or confuse the DMV. A misconception is that Section E transfers ownership; it does not, it only changes the mailing destination of the new title.
7. Division Use Only and Final ID Attachment
The bottom strip is marked Division Use Only • Verified in Computer, with spaces for the Title Number and the $15.00 fee. Leave the “Division Use Only” boxes blank, since DMV staff complete them. Your job is to attach the required items the form lists in capital letters: a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID, and a copy of your registration card if available.
For example, Maria Lopez paper-clips a photocopy of her driver’s license and a copy of her registration card to the front of the form before mailing.
A common edge case is an expired ID. The form requires a valid government-issued photo ID, so a lapsed license can get your packet rejected; use a current ID. The most common mistake is forgetting the ID copy entirely, which is one of the top reasons packets bounce. A misconception is that the DMV already has your ID on file so you need not send a copy; the form requires the copy regardless of what is on file.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common situations, each followed from start to finish. Use them as a map for your own form.
Scenario 1: James Carter, lost car title, no lien
| Form Section | What James Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason checkbox | Checks Lost only |
| Section A: Owner Name | James Carter |
| Section A: Address | 118 Oak St, Beckley, WV 25801 |
| Section B: Make/Year | Toyota / 2018 |
| Section B: VIN | 4T1B11HK1JU000000 |
| Section B: Title type | Checks Vehicle Title |
| Section C: Signature | Signs as applicant and owner in blue ink |
| Section D: Lien | Left blank, since no lien ever existed |
| Section E: Authorization | Left blank, title mailed to his home |
| Attachments + Fee | Copy of driver’s license, $15.00 check |
Scenario 2: David Nguyen, paid-off truck loan, lien release needed
| Form Section | What David Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason checkbox | Checks Lost only |
| Section A: Owner Name | David Nguyen |
| Section A: Address | 27 Ridge Rd, Morgantown, WV 26505 |
| Section B: Make/Year | Ford / 2020 |
| Section B: VIN | 1FTEW1EP5LK000000 |
| Section C: Signature | Signs as applicant and owner |
| Section D: Lien Holder | Mountain State Credit Union, lien satisfied and dated |
| Section D: Signature | Signed by credit union’s authorized agent |
| Section E: Authorization | Left blank, mailed to his home |
| Attachments + Fee | Copy of license, copy of registration, $15.00 money order |
Scenario 3: Susan Reed, lost boat title (watercraft)
| Form Section | What Susan Enters |
|---|---|
| Reason checkbox | Checks Lost only |
| Section A: Owner Name | Susan Reed |
| Section A: Address | 56 Lakeview Dr, Hurricane, WV 25526 |
| Section B: Make/Year | Bayliner / 2016 |
| Section B: Hull No | BAY12345D616 |
| Section B: Hull Material | Fiberglass |
| Section B: Title type | Checks Boat Title |
| Section C: Signature | Signs as applicant and owner |
| Section D: Lien | Left blank, boat owned free and clear |
| Attachments + Fee | Copy of state ID, $15.00 check |
How to File the Completed Form
West Virginia gives you three ways to submit Form DMV-4-TR, and all carry the same $15.00 fee paid by check or money order made to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. Do not send cash through the mail.
- By mail. Send the signed form, a copy of your valid photo ID, a copy of your registration card if you have it, and your $15.00 check or money order to the WV DMV at DMV, PO Box 17710, Charleston, WV 25317. Mail is the most common channel. Keep a photocopy of the full packet and a record of your payment as proof of filing.
- In person. Bring the same packet to any West Virginia regional DMV office. In person, staff can verify your record on the spot and flag missing items before you leave. Pay by check, money order, or the card options the office accepts, and keep your stamped receipt.
- By drop box. Many regional offices offer a drop box where you leave the completed packet without waiting in line. Include your check or money order, since drop boxes cannot take cash, and keep your own copy as proof.
For all channels, expect roughly two to four weeks for a clean application to process and the title to arrive, though a lien check or a record mismatch can add time. Always keep a copy of everything you send. Your copy is your only proof if the packet is lost in transit.
What Happens After You File
Once the DMV receives your packet, a clerk verifies your identity and matches your VIN or hull number against the state record. If everything lines up and no lien blocks the file, the DMV prints a new Certificate of Title and mails it to the address in Section A, or to the party you named in Section E. Most owners get the title within a few weeks.
If a lien is on record and Section D is not completed, the DMV mails the title to that lien holder rather than to you. This is not a punishment; it protects the lender’s interest until the lien is formally released. To fix it, you contact the lender, get Section D signed or a separate release, and the DMV can then route the title to you.
Once your new title arrives, the old title (if it ever turns up) is void. Destroy any old copy you later find so no one tries to use it. Check that your name, VIN, and any lien status on the new title are correct the day it arrives, because catching an error early is far easier than fixing it after a sale starts.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has stopped real duplicate title requests. Read them before you mail anything.
- Leaving Section D blank when a lien ever existed. The DMV mails your title to the old lender instead of you.
- Signing Section D yourself. Only the lien holder’s authorized agent may sign, so an owner-signed release is rejected.
- Checking more than one reason box. The DMV must pause to clarify, delaying your title.
- Transposing a VIN or hull number digit. The form matches the wrong vehicle or no vehicle, stalling the file.
- Forgetting to attach a photo ID copy. The form requires it, and without it the packet is not processed.
- Using an expired ID. The form demands a valid ID, so a lapsed license bounces the application.
- Only one owner signing an “AND” title. Both owners must sign, or the affidavit is invalid.
- Writing in pencil or colored ink. The form requires blue or black ink, and other ink can fail a scan.
- Sending cash by mail. The DMV cannot accept mailed cash, so the request goes nowhere.
- Entering an old address in Section A. The title goes to a home you no longer control, risking loss or theft.
- Signing at home when a notary must witness. A notary block signed without the notary present is invalid.
- Using an outdated form version. A non-current PDF may lack required fields and get rejected.
Do’s and Don’ts
- Do confirm the Rev. 04/2022 date before you start, so you know you have the current form.
- Do print in blue or black ink only, because the DMV scans the form and other ink can fail.
- Do double-check your VIN or hull number against your registration, since this is the key match field.
- Do complete Section D through your lender if a lien ever existed, so the title comes to you.
- Do attach a copy of your valid photo ID, because the form will not process without it.
- Do keep a full copy of your packet and payment, since it is your only proof of filing.
- Don’t check more than one reason box, because it forces a delay-causing clarification.
- Don’t sign Section D yourself, since only the lien holder can release the lien.
- Don’t mail cash, as the DMV cannot accept it and your request will stall.
- Don’t use an old or out-of-state address in Section A, because your title could go to the wrong place.
- Don’t let one owner sign for both on an “AND” title, since both signatures are required.
- Don’t download the form from a random third-party site, because it may be an outdated version.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With a Dealer or Service |
|---|---|
| Pro: You pay only the $15.00 fee and no service markup | Pro: A dealer or title service handles the paperwork for you |
| Pro: You control the address where the title is mailed | Pro: Helpful during an active sale when a dealer needs the title fast |
| Pro: You learn the process for next time | Pro: A pro can spot a lien issue before you file |
| Pro: No need to share personal documents with a third party | Pro: Section E lets you route the title straight to the dealer |
| Pro: In-person staff can check your packet for free | Pro: Saves you time if you cannot visit an office |
| Con: You must chase the lender yourself for a Section D release | Con: Added service fees on top of the $15.00 DMV fee |
| Con: A first-time filer can miss the lien or ID trap | Con: You share ID and ownership details with an outside party |
| Con: Mail delays are on you to track | Con: Less control over the exact mailing address |
| Con: No one double-checks your VIN entry | Con: You still rely on the DMV’s processing time |
| Con: A rejected packet means a second round trip | Con: You may not learn the process for future needs |
Related Forms and How They Connect
A few other West Virginia forms work alongside DMV-4-TR. The DMV-1D-TR, the Purchaser’s Affidavit for Duplicate Title, is used when a buyer needs a duplicate after the title status was changed to “SOLD.” In that case, the seller of record completes the duplicate title application and the buyer completes the purchaser’s affidavit, and a regional manager must approve it; the same $15.00 fee applies. The DMV-9-TR power of attorney form is required whenever someone other than the owner signs the duplicate title application. The DMV-1-TR is the standard application for a Certificate of Title used to title a vehicle in your name, which is a different process from replacing a lost title.
These forms share one engine: the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles title record. The duplicate affidavit replaces a lost title, the purchaser’s affidavit handles a “SOLD” status, and the power of attorney lets a representative act for you. Knowing which form fits your fact pattern saves a rejected packet. When in doubt, call the DMV at 1-800-642-9066 and describe your exact situation before you mail anything.
FAQs
How much does a West Virginia duplicate title cost?
Yes, there is a flat fee. The duplicate title costs $15.00, paid by check or money order to the West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles. The DMV does not accept mailed cash.
Do I have to complete Section D if my loan is paid off?
Yes, if a lien ever appeared on the title record. The lien holder must sign Section D, or the DMV mails your new title to that old lender instead of to you.
Can I sign Section D myself since I paid the loan?
No, you cannot. Only the lien holder’s authorized agent can complete Section D, and an owner-signed lien release is rejected by the DMV.
Do I write my name the same way it appears on my record in Section A?
Yes, exactly as shown. The DMV cross-checks your name against its record, and a nickname or mismatched name can put a hold on your application.
If my title reads “AND,” does only one owner sign Section C?
No, both must sign. The form states that if the title reads “AND,” both owners’ signatures must appear, or the affidavit is invalid.
Do I check more than one reason box if several seem to fit?
No, check only one. The form says to check only one reason, and checking two forces the DMV to pause and clarify, delaying your title.
Should I enter the VIN or the plate number in Section B?
Yes, enter the VIN (or hull number for a boat). The VIN is the true key the DMV uses to match your record, so it must be exact and complete.
Can I file Form DMV-4-TR completely online?
No, you cannot. The affidavit must be signed in ink, so you download or pick up the form, sign it, and submit it by mail, in person, or drop box.
Do I need to attach a copy of my photo ID?
Yes, always. The form requires a copy of your valid government-issued photo ID, and the DMV will not process the packet without it.
Can someone else sign the form for me?
Yes, but only with a power of attorney. If a person other than the owner signs, a DMV-9-TR power of attorney form must be attached.
Is a duplicate boat title filed on the same form?
Yes, the same form. Watercraft owners use DMV-4-TR, enter the hull number and hull material in Section B, and check the Boat Title box.
Can I have the title mailed to a dealer instead of my home?
Yes, using Section E. The Release Affidavit lets you authorize a dealership, lien holder, or individual to receive the duplicate title on your behalf.
What happens if I write in pencil or red ink?
No, that is not allowed. The form requires blue or black ink only, and other ink or pencil can fail the DMV’s scan and cause a rejection.
Does paying off my loan automatically clear the lien at the DMV?
No, not always. The lien can stay on the DMV record even after payoff, which is exactly why the lender must sign Section D for a clear title.
Related reading
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- How to Fill Out the Virginia VA DMV Repossession Title (VSA 98) — With Examples + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Nevada DMV Application for Duplicate Title (VP-012) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the District of Columbia DMV Application for a Duplicate Title + FAQs
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- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs