NC General Statutes

N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-78 (2026)

When Division to transfer registration and issue new certificate; recordation

✓ current as of July 2026

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(a) The Division, upon receipt of a properly endorsed certificate of title, application for transfer thereof and payment of all proper fees, shall issue a new certificate of title as upon an original registration. The Division, upon receipt of an application for transfer of registration plates, together with payment of all proper fees, shall issue a new registration card transferring and assigning the registration plates and numbers thereon as upon an original assignment of registration plates. The Division, upon receipt of an application for transfer thereof and payment of all proper fees, but without receipt of a properly endorsed certificate of title, shall issue a salvage certificate of title pursuant to G.S. 20-109.1(b)(2) or G.S. 20-109.1(e1).

(b) The Division shall maintain a record of certificates of title issued by the Division for a period of 20 years. After 20 years, the Division shall maintain a record of the last two owners.

The Commissioner is hereby authorized and empowered to provide for the photographic or photostatic recording of certificate of title records in such manner as he may deem expedient. The photographic or photostatic copies herein authorized shall be sufficient as evidence in tracing of titles of the motor vehicles designated therein, and shall also be admitted in evidence in all actions and proceedings to the same extent that the originals would have been admitted. (1937, c. 407, s. 42; 1943, c. 726; 1947, c. 219, s. 8; 1961, c. 360, s. 14; 1971, c. 1070, s. 4; 1975, c. 716, s. 5; 1999-452, s. 15; 2013-400, s. 4.)

Notes of Decisions

Cited in 3 cases, 1953–1978 · leading case: Hawkins v. M & J Fin. Corp., 77 S.E.2d 669 (N.C. 1953).

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Hawkins v. M & J Fin. Corp., 77 S.E.2d 669 (N.C. 1953). · cites it 2× “G.S. § 20-78. Accordingly, when a dealer acquires a motor vehicle and resells it, his intermediate ownership, no less than that of any other purchaser from the original owner, is required to be reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles.”

Morrisey v. Crabtree, 143 F. Supp. 105 (M.D.N.C. 1956). · cites it 2× “§ 20-6 defines “Highway” as follows: “ ‘Highway’ shall include any trunk line highway, state aid road or other public highway, road, street, avenue, alley, driveway, parkway, or place, under the control of the State or any political subdivision thereof, dedicated, appropriated…”

Sutton v. Sutton, 242 S.E.2d 644 (N.C. Ct. App. 1978). “See *681 G.S. 20-78(b). Evidence presented by appellants to the effect that Guy Sutton, Sr.”

— N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-78(b) — 1 case

Sutton v. Sutton, 242 S.E.2d 644 (N.C. Ct. App. 1978). “See *681 G.S. 20-78(b). Evidence presented by appellants to the effect that Guy Sutton, Sr.”

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