A misspelled name, a signature in the wrong box, a slipped digit in the odometer field – small mistakes on a vehicle title cause outsized problems, because a title is a legal ownership record.
This guide covers how to fix an error on a vehicle title – what to do (and not do), how the affidavit of correction works, and when you need a corrected title instead.
Never Cross Out a Mistake
Do not scribble out, erase or write over anything on a title. Many states treat altered titles as void, which turns a small error into a full corrected-title application.
Leave the error as it is and fix it with the proper paperwork instead.
Common Title Errors
The classics are misspelled names, the wrong buyer or seller information, signatures placed in the wrong section, and incorrect odometer readings.
Errors also appear in recorded titles long after a sale – a name that never matched the owner’s ID, or a transposed digit in the vehicle identification number.
The Affidavit of Correction
For clerical errors, most motor vehicle agencies accept an affidavit of correction – a sworn statement that identifies the error, states the correct information, and is signed by the person with knowledge of the facts.
Several states publish their own versions, such as Georgia’s T-11 Affidavit of Correction; where no fixed form exists, a general affidavit is used.
You can create one from our affidavit form and get it notarized online within 24 hours.
When You Need a Corrected Title Instead
Major errors – a void title, a wrong vehicle identification number, or ownership disputes – usually require applying for a corrected or duplicate title with the state.
Processes vary: Michigan, for example, handles title corrections in person at a Secretary of State office. Check your own state’s motor vehicle agency before you start.
Buying or Selling with a Title Error
If the seller made the mistake, the fix usually has to come from them – typically a notarized statement or affidavit of correction confirming what went wrong.
Sort the paperwork out before money changes hands; a buyer who accepts a flawed title inherits the problem. Selling a car has its own notarization rules – see our guide on whether you need a notary to sell a car.
Before You Sign: Avoiding Errors
Read the entire title before writing anything – which line is the seller’s, which is the buyer’s, and where the odometer goes.
Use blue or black ink, write names exactly as they appear on ID, and never sign until you are certain of the field – most voided titles come from signatures in the wrong box.
Errors Found After Registration
Mistakes in an already-recorded title – a misspelled owner name, a wrong digit – are corrected through the motor vehicle agency with an affidavit of correction and supporting ID.
Bring the original title, your identification and the notarized affidavit; some states also want their own correction request form on top.
Corrected Title vs Duplicate Title
A corrected title fixes wrong information on an existing record. A duplicate title replaces one that is lost, stolen or damaged.
They are different applications with different fees – if your title is both lost and wrong, most states have you order the duplicate first and correct it after.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I make a mistake on a title?
Leave it as it is. Most clerical mistakes can be fixed with a notarized affidavit of correction; altering the title yourself can void it and force a corrected-title application.
Can you cross out a mistake on a title?
No. Cross-outs, erasures and white-out can void the title in many states. Fix the error with an affidavit of correction or a corrected-title application instead.
How do you fix a messed-up title?
Minor clerical errors: a notarized affidavit of correction filed with the motor vehicle agency. Major errors or a void title: apply for a corrected or duplicate title with your state.
Does a title correction affidavit need to be notarized?
In most states, yes – the agency wants the affiant’s identity verified and the signature witnessed before it corrects the record.
Can I fix a mistake the seller made on the title?
Usually not on your own – the correction typically needs to come from the person who made the error, in the form of a sworn, notarized statement. Contact the seller and resolve it before registering the vehicle.