Title a Bought-From-a-Stranger Car Within 30 Days
Before paying for a used vehicle, run its VIN through TxDMV Title Check and make sure the seller matches the title. A salvage brand, lien, or name problem is better found before money changes hands.
When possible, take the seller to the Tom Green County Tax Office at 113 W. Beauregard. A tax-office representative can review the signed title and Form 130-U while both people are there. Apply for the new title within 30 days of the sale to avoid late-transfer penalties.
One thing the tax office can't do for you: driver licenses and state IDs. Those are a DPS errand at a different building, so don't get in the title line expecting to renew your license while you're there. The tax office phone is 325-659-6529 if you want to confirm what paperwork they'll need for your particular sale.
Content last revised 2026-07-11