I'm transferring from Japan back to the US this summer and currently my car has a Japanese title. I have been searching on the net to try to find out how to get a U.S. title for my car. The only thing I can find is lost title replacements. I don't know what state the car was last registered in before shipped to Japan though, so I have no idea where to find its last title.
Does anyone now how to create a new title, or been in a situation where they've shipped a corvette back to the US from another country???
I won't have much time after I get back either, because I'll be going to Iraq for some fun in the sun about a month after I get there.
The least headache causing solution would be optimal.
Thanks for any help in advance.

 

I would call of write to the motor vehicle registration of the state that your are planning to go to.

 

If it was a US vehicle that was registered in some state, and someone shipped it to Japan, that doesn't mean he/she had to retitle it. The vehicle would have maintained the original vehicular title, only obtaining a registration document to be able to apply for foreign plates.

If it is an export model that was registered and titled in Japan, then you will hve to import it back to the US. Local Customes can help out with that.

I believe we need a little more information.

 

If you run a Carfax, any US registration should show up.

 

As long as you have proof of ownership of the car (the Japanese title and other registration certificate for license), all you should have to do is to contact the DMV of the state where the car will be titled/licensed.

It's not much different than say a German citizen moving to the US and bringing his Mercedes. It sounds as though your Vette was originally titles in the US so it meets the federal safety standards.

You should also check with US Customs to see what wil be required in the way of import documents.

Depending on the state the car will be registered in, you may have to pass an emissions test so if the car is missing any smog equipment, get ready to add that.

While Carfax may show the last time it was titled in the US, it really should not make any difference in getting the car into the US or getting a title in any specific state. The key is showing proof of legal ownership and that the car can legally be returned to the US.

In any event, having a current Japanese license/registration and title should allow you to drive the car for some period of time once you get it back in the US.

Are you in the Military?? If so your home of record (state) would be the place where the car will be titled and registered. When you check at that DMV, also ask how long you can drive in that state with the foreign plates. Some states allow 30 days, some less, some more. If you are dirving the car through a number of states from where you pick the car up from the shipping company, you should be OK with the Japaneses plates. Make sure you arrange for car insurance first (whatever your state requires)

 

C4 cruiser has it straight. The state will require a vin verification where they check #'s against state/federal warrants. A patrol officer, license bureau, or emissions place can do the verification.

 

Thanks for the info guys.
I thought about doing the carfax thing, but I wasn't sure if it would actually show Title holders.
I don't believe it's an export model. According to it's records it was shipped to Japan 3 years after its production.
I am military, and I also need to get with the Personal Property office, they might have more info, but I'm not sure how helpful they will be.
I know the smog stuff is installed I looked up its RPO's and it has all the California smog stuff installed, and that's definitely a good thing considering that's where I'm going.

 

SOME LAWENFORCEMENT AGENTIES DONT DO THIS ANY MORE. EMISSIONS IN COLORADO CHARGE 25 DOLLARS.

 

I can get that info from carfax anyways.