CODE OF VIRGINIA

ELECTRONIC TITLING PROGRAM (§ 46.2-603.1)

The Department may establish an electronic titling program for any “new
motor vehicle” as that term is defined in § 46.2-1500. Participants in
the electronic titling program shall submit electronic applications for original
motor vehicle titles in a form and format prescribed by the Department.
Participants must provide all documentation or information required by the
Department to process the electronic title application, including an electronic
manufacturer’s certificate of origin and any information required by the
Department in accordance with § 46.2-623. The records of a nationally
recognized motor vehicle title database shall be searched prior to transfer of
vehicle ownership. Participants shall collect from the purchaser of the new
motor vehicle any fee charged for the search of the nationally recognized motor
vehicle title database. Upon receipt of a completed electronic application, the
Department shall refrain from issuing a certificate of title in paper form and,
instead, shall create only the electronic record of such title to be retained by
the Department in its existing electronic title record system with a notation
that no certificate of title has been printed on paper. The owner of a motor
vehicle will be deemed to have obtained and the Department will be deemed to
have issued a certificate of title when such title record has been created
electronically as provided in this section. An owner listed on a title record so
created may at any time request and the Department shall provide a paper
certificate of title for the vehicle.

HISTORY: 2012, c. 650.