Got my Title today!

[pmaz621]

I have been reading some of the horror stories on the forum of dealing with the DMV, so here is my experience.
A little background: In Wisconsin it is not required to register your trailer if it is under 3,000lbs. Consequently, many people don't even bother to get a title for their trailers and many change hands with only a bill of sale. In July I purchased my Airflyte with a Bill of sale, and then wrote to the Wisconsin DMV about the process of getting the trailer in my name. After what I had seen, I thought I had made a big mistake buying my trailer. Here is what they responded with:

There are very specific guidelines for requesting a Wisconsin title on a vehicle purchased without proper ownership documents. Please call us at [phone]. Once you make your selection for language preference, choose 2 from the menu, then 3 and then 4. Prior to calling, please have the following: VIN (vehicle identification number), license plate number or title number for the vehicle about which you are inquiring with a mailing address and we will send you a list of these guidelines. You may review the list to see if this process would best serve your situation. Please be aware you may be required to post a surety bond if the department deems it necessary in order to provide you with a title. We will contact you after receiving your application if we need further information. Our hours of service are Monday through Friday 7:30 am to 4:30 pm CST. The best time to reach a Research & Information processor is between the hours of 7:30 am and 8:00 am and also between 11:30 am and 1:00 pm.

So, I called them up. It is required in Wisconsin that your trailer be titled, even if you don't register it. The DMV person on the phone was very helpful and had me mail in some forms I had to download, send in the money and the Bill of Sale. Today I received my Title in the mail! Yahoo! Relatively painless process. Thought I would share, particularly for my Wisconsin friends.

[neophyte]

This is exactly what we needed to know! Thank you. Did you have your bill of sale notarized and did you need the VIN checked by a police officer? Did you get the forms online or did they email you with the download? I'll make the call next week.
Would you register it even though you don't have to in WI for driving it with plates to other states that require plates?

[lopo]

Congratulations on handling that title work so well. Gotta feel good to have that title in your hand!

[pmaz621]

neophyte: The bill of sale needs to be notarized, but I was not required to have the VIN verified by a police office. Here is the Link for the MV1 for you will need. www.dot.wisconsin.gov/drivers/forms/mv1.pdf

The best part was that I never even had to go into the MVD office. As far as registration goes, we plan to register it eventually because we will be taking the trailer out of state from time to time. However, if you plan to only use it in WI, then it's not required.

lopo: Yes it feels pretty good to have the Title, now I know for sure she's mine!

Hopefully this thread will be helpful to others in Wisconsin.

[neophyte]

Thanks for the link. Guess we will have to make a return trip to the PO for a notarized BOS.

[neophyte]

PMAZ621: Did you do the surety bond, as well? The DMV did say we need to have the VIN verified by law enforcement. They are sending us paperwork in the mail.

[pmaz621]

neophyte: No I did not purchase a surety bond and I did not have to have the VIN verified either. It was a super easy process for me. Filled out and sent in the MV1 form, the money and the Notarized Bill of Sale along with a letter explaining the reason there was no Title. Did you call or go into the DMV?