How to Get a Bonded Title in Tarrant County, Texas (2026)

Stuck with a vehicle and no title in Fort Worth, Arlington, or Mansfield? A bonded title is your legal path to ownership. This guide covers the exact steps, costs, and locations for Tarrant County residents.

Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility

To qualify for a bonded title in Tarrant County, you must meet these Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) standards:

• You are a Texas resident (or military personnel stationed here).
• You have physical possession of the vehicle.
• The vehicle is not stolen, junked, nonrepairable, or subject to a lawsuit.
• If there is a lien less than 10 years old, you must provide a certified release of lien.

Step 2: Visit the Fort Worth TxDMV Regional Service Center

The process starts at the TxDMV, not the tax office. Tarrant County residents should visit the Fort Worth Regional Service Center.

Fort Worth TxDMV Regional Service Center 2425 Gravel Dr. Fort Worth, TX 76118

Bring the following documents:

• Bonded Title Application (Form VTR-130-SOF)
• Any proof of ownership (bill of sale, canceled check, etc.)
• Your government-issued photo ID
• $15 administrative fee
• A vehicle inspection report (if the car was last titled out of state)

Step 3: Receive Your Notice of Determination

If your application is approved, the TxDMV will issue a Notice of Determination for a Bonded Title (Form VTR-130-ND).

This document sets your required bond amount at 1.5 times the vehicle's market value. The TxDMV uses the Standard Presumptive Value (SPV) to calculate this.

Step 4: Purchase Your Texas Title Bond

Now you need to buy the actual surety bond. You don't pay the full amount of the bond, only a small "premium."

For most vehicles valued under $6,000, the bond cost is a flat $100. If the vehicle is worth more, the price is generally $15 per $1,000 of value.

Purchase your Texas Title Bond online through Rock Like Agency for instant email delivery.

Step 5: Apply at the Tarrant County Tax Office

Warning: You must complete this step within 30 days of buying your bond.

Visit any Tarrant County Tax Assessor-Collector location (Fort Worth, Arlington, Mansfield, etc.). You will need:

• The original Notice of Determination (Form VTR-130-ND)
• The original, signed Surety Bond from Rock Like Agency
• Application for Texas Title (Form 130-U)
• Proof of current liability insurance
• Payment for the $33 title fee and 6.25% sales tax

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is a bonded title in Tarrant County?

Expect to pay a $15 TxDMV fee, a $100 bond premium (minimum), a $33 county title fee, and 6.25% sales tax on the vehicle's value.

Where are the Tarrant County tax offices?

Tarrant County has several locations, including the main office at 100 E. Weatherford St in Fort Worth, and sub-courthouses in Arlington, Hurst, and Mansfield.

How long until I get a regular title?

Your title will be "bonded" for three years. If no ownership claims are filed during this time, the bond expires. You can then visit the Tarrant County tax office to apply for a standard, unbranded title.