Here's the story. A guy buys a car off the original owner in Arkansas in 2000. Original owner signs the title, and that's about it. Now this guy from another state, sells it to me. I need for this title to end up in my name so I can bring it into Canada. Does anyone understand the process to work this out? I'm going to call Arkansas DMV tomorrow, but I sense pain. Someone must have sorted through this before.

The middle ownder did not write in the "buyers block", correct?

This is called "jumping title"....I know it's done all the time, especially if the middle guy is flipping cars. :noway:

At the least you would probably need to get the title in your name. Where is the car?

I found this on the web. But the emission stuff might be for newer cars. But I think you do want the title in your name.

http://www.importcartocanada.info/visual-overview

Some titles have a provision for reassignment of certificate of title. If not the DMV may have a form for reassignment.
This way the guy you got it from signs the reassignment over to you. Legal, but it should be done in a short time frame not five years.
You probably can still do it by someone has some explaining to do. The DMV may also want all unpaid license fees plus penalty plus interest.
If the title is signed and dated say five years back, another way is to contact the original owner and explain that the title got misplaced. Some states will permit transfer even though the title is "lost". The person who's name is on the title signs a form that is an application for duplicate and re;ease. to you. All done in one motion. That way if you can pull it off you can leave out the middleman. Deal directly with the PO.
I've done this a few times and the original owner is PO"d at the guy he sold it to, not you. He also usually is happy to get it out of his name.
I'd tell him that the guy you bought from split with his wife and she is holding the title back. "she says she can't find it but he knows she has it but is playing games.
If original owner thinks that the title is lost for good, he can request a duplicate and come and get his car, as long as the middleman has no bill of sale.
So let him know the title that he signed IS OUT THERE. it/s just a matter of time before middleman can talk the old lady into turning it over.:boxing:

What thr hell happened to the North American free trade agreement. I guess it only applies when Canada or Mexico wants to sell US something?
What part of FREE TRADE don't they understand?
Don;t get me started!:o
Tell them you know the Clintons.

Everyone in the game is legit, from the original owner to the new seller. I just need to understand the legal process. Playing games at US and Canada Customs is dangerous. I'll check into the reassignment avenue suggested by Squido. Thanks for the advice.

Here in Md, it wouldn't matter how long ago the sale was made, you just put recent info on it and fill the required info and pay the fee at the DMV. I personally waited til I got to the DMV and asked the person at the info desk exactly what to fill out so I didn't have to do it twice.

In Kansas the state wants every owner to register the vehicle AND pay all the taxes.
Re-assignment can only be done by a dealer.

Most the time the title is left open with only the original seller's signature and no date to get around paying the taxes.

In Kansas the state wants every owner to register the vehicle AND pay all the taxes.
Re-assignment can only be done by a dealer.

Most the time the title is left open with only the original seller's signature and no date to get around paying the taxes.

Pretty much the same for Missouri.

Maybe this will help:

http://www.importcartocanada.info/

Spoke to Britney at Arkansas DMV and she told me it needs to be titled by the next owner. Nothing she can do for me. So the current plan is to get the car titled in Florida so that new title can be signed over to me.