Twelve scenarios cover almost every NC junk-car sale. This is the master checklist — pick your row, gather the documents, and you have everything a licensed buyer needs.
Scenario-by-scenario document matrix
| Scenario | Required documents | NC statute / form |
|---|---|---|
| Clean title in your name | Title (signed) + photo ID + bill of sale | §20-72(b), MVR-180 |
| Clean title, two owners | Title with BOTH signatures + both IDs + bill of sale | §20-72(b) |
| Lost title | MVR-4 OR licensed-dealer no-title affidavit + registration + ID | §20-68, MVR-4 |
| Registration only | Registration + ID + dealer affidavit + MVR-181 (dealer files) | §20-50, MVR-181 |
| Title in spouse's name (deceased) | Title + death certificate + AOC-E-203B OR letters testamentary | §28A-25-1 |
| Inherited (probate completed) | Title + AOC-E-204 + letters of administration + ID | §28A-15-1 |
| Active lien on title | Lien release letter + title + ID | §20-58.4 |
| Salvage title | Salvage title + ID + bill of sale (dealer notes brand) | §20-71.3 |
| Rebuilt title | Rebuilt title + ID + bill of sale | §20-71.4 |
| Sold by POA agent | MVR-63 (notarized) + agent ID + owner copy of ID + title or registration | §32C, MVR-63 |
| Owner overseas | MVR-63 with apostille OR JAG notarization | Hague Convention §1 |
| Out-of-state title | Title + previous-state registration + VIN inspection (MVR-1 line 16) | §20-71 |
Documents that work as substitutes (when the primary is missing)
Photo ID substitute: NC driver's license is preferred. Acceptable substitutes — NC ID card, unexpired US passport, US military ID, NCDOR-issued tax ID with photo.
Proof of ownership substitute: NC registration card (within 3 years) + insurance ID listing you as the named insured + previous-year property tax receipt naming you as the taxpayer.
Lien release substitute: §25-9-513 UCC termination statement when the original lender is defunct.
Authoritative references on this site
- NC title transfer guide — the full NCDMV title-assignment process
- We buy no-title junk cars — what we actually accept on the day of pickup
- Salvage vs rebuilt title — branded-title rules and the salvage motor vehicle inspection