Rebuilt Title in Texas — the forms, the fee and the brand on the new title.
In Texas a rebuilt salvage car gets a new title branded "Rebuilt Salvage" before it can be sold or registered. You apply at a county tax assessor-collector's office with Form 130-U and a Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (VTR-61), and pay a $65 Rebuilt Salvage Fee on top of the title fee. Here is what the TxDMV manual requires, which salvage titles can never come back, and what the new title will say.
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Quick Answer
- How do you get a rebuilt title in Texas?
- Repair the car, then file Form 130-U at a county tax assessor-collector's office with the salvage title, a Rebuilt Vehicle Statement (VTR-61), the odometer disclosure, proof of insurance if you will register it, an out-of-state VIN certification if it was last titled elsewhere, and any lien releases. You pay the $28 or $33 title fee plus a $65 Rebuilt Salvage Fee.
- What does a Texas rebuilt title say?
- A car rebuilt from a Texas Salvage Vehicle Title gets the brand REBUILT SALVAGE - DAMAGED. One rebuilt from another state's salvage document gets REBUILT SALVAGE - ISSUED BY (STATE). Texas carries the brand to every later title.
- Which salvage cars can't be rebuilt in Texas?
- Cars with a Nonrepairable Vehicle Title issued on or after September 1, 2003, a certificate of authority to demolish, a title stamped FOR EXPORT ONLY, or an out-of-state document saying the car is nonrepairable, junked, for parts or may not be rebuilt.
Five steps to a Texas rebuilt title
The county office checks paperwork; the parts section of the VTR-61 is where the manual is strictest.
- 1Confirm it can be rebuiltSalvage, yes. Nonrepairable from September 1, 2003, never.
- 2Repair and document itDescribe the work, with the location of each replaced part.
- 3Record the major partsEngine, frame or body: ownership evidence and the part number.
- 4File at the countyForm 130-U, VTR-61, salvage title, insurance, VIN certification.
- 5Pay and get the brand$28 or $33 plus $65; the title says Rebuilt Salvage.
Which Texas Salvage Titles Can Come Back
The manual lists the documents a car can be rebuilt from: a Texas Salvage Vehicle Title issued on or after September 1, 2003, the older Salvage Certificate, Salvage Certificate of Title and Nonrepairable Certificate of Title issued before that date, or a comparable out-of-state document.
And the documents that end the road: a Nonrepairable Vehicle Title issued on or after September 1, 2003, a certificate of authority to demolish, a title stamped FOR EXPORT ONLY or with an EXPORT ONLY remark, or an out-of-state document saying the car is nonrepairable, junked, for parts or may not be rebuilt. The body and frame of such a car may not be used to rebuild another, and a flood-damaged car's electrical or mechanical parts may not be used to assemble one.
Can be rebuilt
- Salvage Vehicle Title: issued on or after September 1, 2003.
- Older salvage documents: issued before that date.
- Out of state: a salvage document that allows rebuilding.
- Never: nonrepairable from 2003, COA, export only.
The Brand Texas Prints on the New Title
Table 6-1 of the TxDMV Salvage/Nonrepairable Manual (January 2026), read on 16 October 2026. The brand is carried forward to later titles and may also read FLOOD DAMAGE.
| Document surrendered | Brand on the rebuilt title |
|---|---|
| Salvage Vehicle Title, issued September 1, 2003 or later | REBUILT SALVAGE - DAMAGED |
| Salvage Certificate of Title, before 9/1/2003 | REBUILT SALVAGE - DAMAGED |
| Texas Salvage Certificate, before 9/1/2003 | REBUILT SALVAGE - LOSS UNKNOWN |
| Nonrepairable Certificate of Title, before 9/1/2003 | REBUILT SALVAGE - 95% PLUS LOSS |
| Out-of-state salvage document that allows rebuilding | REBUILT SALVAGE - ISSUED BY (STATE) |
| Nonrepairable Vehicle Title, September 1, 2003 or later | Cannot be rebuilt, retitled or registered |
A car rebuilt from another state's salvage document carries that state's name on its Texas title.
Texas Brands at a Glance
The brand table above, drawn as one page.
The out-of-state row matters for auction buyers: the original state stays on the Texas title.
Form VTR-61: the Rebuilt Vehicle Statement
VTR-61 has two certifications. The rebuilder certifies the work was done, documented, and that the parts were obtained lawfully under Chapter 501 of the Transportation Code; the owner certifies they own the car, it has been repaired, and the VIN on the form matches the car. Owner and rebuilder can be the same person, and falsifying either is a third-degree felony.
Page 2 lists the parts. An engine, frame or body needs ownership evidence (a bill of sale or title) and its part number; transmission, fenders, hood, doors, bumpers, quarter panels and the rest are listed with where they came from. If you cannot give the part number or donor VIN for a major part, the manual sends you to a tax assessor-collector hearing or a bonded title. If you bought the car already repaired, you may write "Repairs unknown".
What to Bring to the County Office
Form 130-U must be accompanied by these, according to the manual.
Evidence of ownership
The salvage title or comparable out-of-state document, assigned to you.
VTR-61
The work done, and page 2 if component parts were used.
Odometer disclosure
Signed by the seller on the title assignment, where it applies.
Proof of insurance
If the car will be registered, in the applicant's name.
Out-of-state VIN certification
Through an emissions or commercial inspection where one applies, or self-certified on Form 130-U.
Lien releases
Unless the same lienholder is being recorded again.
Check the Salvage Car's Auction Record
Enter the VIN for a free preview of its title brands, auction records and odometer readings.
Fees, Registration and the Dealer Rule
You pay the statutory title application fee ($28 or $33) plus a $65 Rebuilt Salvage Fee, and the box for that fee must be checked on Form 130-U. You can apply in the county where you live, where the car was bought or financed, or any willing county.
A salvage car gets no registration of any kind, not even temporary, until it has been rebuilt, inspected and the rebuilt title application filed. And anyone who repairs or rebuilds more than 5 salvage vehicles in a calendar year needs a salvage vehicle dealer license, car dealers included; only independent motor vehicle dealers are excepted.
Money and limits
- Title fee: $28 or $33.
- Rebuilt Salvage Fee: $65.
- Registration: none until rebuilt, inspected and applied for.
- Volume: more than 5 a year needs a license.
Related Checks and Guides
California's process, and what a rebuilt brand means.
Where These Facts Come From
From the TxDMV Salvage/Nonrepairable Manual and Form VTR-61, read on 16 October 2026. Confirm current fees with your county tax office.
CarCheckerVIN is not affiliated with TxDMV or any county tax office. This page is general information, not legal advice.
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Rebuilt Title in Texas — Frequently Asked Questions
What Texas salvage owners ask most.
How much is a rebuilt title in Texas?+
The $28 or $33 title application fee plus a $65 Rebuilt Salvage Fee, before registration and any other fees the county charges.
Where do I apply for a Texas rebuilt title?+
At a county tax assessor-collector's office: in your county, the county where the car was bought or financed, or any willing county.
Do I need receipts for every part?+
For an engine, frame or body, yes: ownership evidence and the part number. Other parts are listed on page 2 of the VTR-61 with their source, and bills of sale should be included if you have them.
I bought the car already repaired. What do I write?+
The manual allows "Repairs unknown" in the work section of the VTR-61; page 2 is then not required.
Can I rebuild a car from an out-of-state auction?+
Yes, if its salvage document allows rebuilding. The new Texas title will read REBUILT SALVAGE - ISSUED BY (STATE), and a VIN certification is required because it was last titled elsewhere.
Can a Texas nonrepairable car be rebuilt?+
Not if the Nonrepairable Vehicle Title was issued on or after September 1, 2003. It may never be rebuilt, retitled or registered.
Check a Salvage Car by VIN
Enter any 17-character VIN for a free preview. The full report lists title brands, NMVTIS junk and salvage records, insurance total-loss records, odometer readings, and auction records with the damage the auction recorded and its photos.
CarCheckerVIN is an independent vehicle-history service and is not affiliated with the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles. Procedures are summarized from public sources and are not legal advice. Records in our reports reflect what was reported to our data providers. Our reports do not include police or repair-shop accident entries.
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