The department can issue a certified copy of a lost or destroyed title, and applicants must meet the stated identity and proof requirements.
Sec. 501.134. CERTIFIED COPY OF LOST OR DESTROYED CERTIFICATE OF TITLE. (a) If a printed title is lost or destroyed, the owner or lienholder disclosed on the title may obtain, in the manner provided by this section and department rule, a certified copy of the lost or destroyed title directly from the department by applying in a manner prescribed by the department and paying a fee of $2. A fee collected under this subsection shall be deposited to the credit of the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund. (b) If a lien is disclosed on a title, the department may issue a certified copy of the title only to the first lienholder or the lienholder's verified agent unless the owner has original proof from the lienholder of lien satisfaction. (c) The department must plainly mark "certified copy" on the face of a certified copy issued under this section. (d) A certified copy of the title that is lawfully obtained under this section supersedes and invalidates any previously issued title or certified copy. If the certified copy of the title is later rescinded, canceled, or revoked under Section 501.051, the department may revalidate a previously superseded or invalidated title or certified copy of title. (e) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296, Sec. 247(3), eff. January 1, 2012. (f) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296, Sec. 247(3), eff. January 1, 2012. (g) The department may issue a certified copy of a title only if the applicant: (1) is the registered owner of the vehicle, the holder of a recorded lien against the vehicle, or a verified agent of the owner or lienholder; and (2) submits personal identification as required by department rule. (h) If the applicant is the agent of the owner or lienholder of the vehicle and is applying on behalf of the owner or lienholder, the applicant must submit verifiable proof that the person is the agent of the owner or lienholder. (i) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296, Sec. 247(3), eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 30.42(a), eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 67, Sec. 6, eff. Sept. 1, 2001. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 56, eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1296 (H.B. 2357), Sec. 247(3), eff. January 1, 2012. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1287 (H.B. 2202), Sec. 10, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 969 (S.B. 2076), Sec. 23, eff. January 1, 2019. Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 969 (S.B. 2076), Sec. 24, eff. January 1, 2019.