All vehicle titles have common elements
Even though every State (plus D.C.) has its own title format, all vehicle titles in the US have common elements:
Vehicle Details Section - the vehicle's VIN, year, make, and model are all stated on the front of the title. Some States have sections for vehicle color, body type, and other characteristics.
Owner Section - the owner's name and address are stated on the front of the title
Lien Section - Any liens (loans secured by the vehicle) are stated on the front of the title
Brand Section - if a vehicle has experienced a major incident that may have compromised its value, the front of the title will be labeled with a brand. The most common brands are Salvage, Rebuilt, Junk, Flood, and Lemon.
Title Examples
Below are examples of vehicle titles from several States.
California Vehicle Title Example
Colorado Vehicle Title Example
Montana Vehicle Title Example
Alterations void titles
Any cross-out, write-over, white-out, or any other alteration can cause a title to become void. This prevents someone from intercepting a title that has been assigned to a buyer, and replacing him or herself as the buyer on the title.
Be very careful when you write on a title. While many mistakes can be corrected by submitting an affidavit to the new registration authority, other mistakes can completely void a title, requiring a replacement title to be requested.