how to sell auto while not on island

Call DMV to inquire.

Anyone know the procedure for selling a car when the titled owner is not on island? Can the owner give someone on island a letter of representation to sign title etc?

I did it years ago and a simple Power of Attorney specifically for all business related to selling the vehicle was all that was required. No reason to assume that it should be any different today as it's a simple and common law practice.

Agree with Alana on this one. They change the rules depending on their moods. Hiring a expediter also makes it easier. They have all of the answers.

Could the owner sign the title and send it to you? Or isn't it that easy?

Could the owner sign the title and send it to you? Or isn't it that easy?

Not in the VI - it doesn't work that way.

I have done it 2 times for friends in the last year. My experiences:

1. Is the car registered in the VI? If yes,

2. Both buyer and seller or seller's power of attorney should go to BMV

(1) owner can do a power of attorney for SALE of the car. The owners information must match the registration information, or you might run into problems.
(2) Seller(owner) needs to give copy of the registration to buyer: the easiest is the seller/POA goes to the BMV with buyer when the buyer is registering.
(3) The seller should also provide a notarized copy of his or her license to the person he or she gave the POA, ie first time I did it, BMV required it, second time didn't even ask.....BETTER TO DO SAME TIME OF POWER OF ATTORNEY BEING NOTARIZED
(4) Bring the TITLE to the BMV, no title you will encounter problems

Best advice, if seller cant go to registry cause off island, the buyer should go and check BMV ----verify the information told he or she needs to purchase a car for a seller off-island.

Could the owner sign the title and send it to you? Or isn't it that easy?

Not in the VI - it doesn't work that way.

How does it work? Does the owner have to accompany you to register it? Just wondering for future reference.

When do you get a title ?? I have only ever had a registration on all my cars over many years here.

I have always received the title the same day I register.

2 months ago, I bought a 1989 truck---25 years old, and after completing the paperwork to register, received the registration and a title for the vehicle.

Again, best advice is seller and buyer should go to BMV together, talk to BMV , and complete the transaction based on information told to them................as we know things change based on day and who you talk to.

As well as from island to island. In St Thomas they have titles but you only need to sign the registration. A new title is then issued. Don't think they grasp the meaning and use of a title.

when hubby did this last year, he had to go back three times because each time he went they would tell him something he needed and did not have. he would get that, they would tell him something else. the owner had died and the owners step daughter gave the car to hubby. the procedure was made even more complicated step daughter had already left island

finally got through to bmv stx, after numerous phone calls, long time on holds, disconnects etc. Got to the point where the switchboard woman and I were having conversations...
Supposedly a very specific notarized POA will work, along with a copy of owners ID...though they neglected to mention the ID copy until I asked, so no telling what else they might have left out.

does anyone know of a good BMV expediter on st croix?

does anyone know of a good BMV expediter on st croix?

Shelly Bachoo

Sb Courier & Professional Services
152 Ruby Estate Road
Christiansted, VI 00823
+17.738010 -064.697459
(340) 643-0612

When do you get a title ?? I have only ever had a registration on all my cars over many years here.

O.K. How do you provide proof of ownership then? How do you sell or transfer a car without some sort of bill of sale?

For many years, MV did not process the title papers simultaneously with the first set of registration documents. They would eventually print the title, and then file it in filing cabinets at BMV. IF you asked during a subsequent visit, they could look in the files and give you the title if they found it there. Otherwise, they just kept them in the file cabinet until the title was needed for a sale or such. I'm sure they've still got lots of titles somewhere...

When do you get a title ?? I have only ever had a registration on all my cars over many years here.

O.K. How do you provide proof of ownership then? How do you sell or transfer a car without some sort of bill of sale?

I have always just signed the back of the registration and had my signature notarized.

When I bought my truck, many years ago, they/STT were sending the information to STX MVD who were supposed to mail it to you from STX. $25 and many years later I am still waiting for mine, it seems. I had forgotten all about it until this thread. Have to register vehicle this month so will inquire as to why I wasted $25 all those years ago.