North Carolina duplicate title & temp tag overview
North Carolina · Dealer workflow
North Carolina · Titles & temp tags
How duplicate titles and temporary tags work in North Carolina.
Dealer‑focused summary of missing titles, replacement titles, and temporary tags as handled by the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.
Always confirm the latest rules on the official state sites linked below.
High‑level dealer workflowPairs with official North Carolina referencesNot legal advice
Duplicate titles
North Carolina duplicate title (MVR‑4)
In North Carolina, the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles uses form MVR‑4 – Application for a Duplicate Title when the original North Carolina
title is lost, stolen, or never received.
Dealer workflow – MVR‑4
Confirm that the vehicle is titled in North Carolina and identify the titled owner and any lienholder.
Have the owner complete
MVR‑4, including the reason for the duplicate.
Explain the mandatory 15‑day waiting period before DMV can issue the duplicate title after the application is received.
Submit MVR‑4 with the duplicate title fee to NCDMV as directed on the form.
Track the application date so you know when the 15‑day hold has cleared and the title should be available.
NCDMV's duplicate title page and the PDF instructions on MVR‑4 outline acceptable ID, mailing addresses, and special rules
for vehicles with active liens.