What Frank Van's Does With Your Title and Tags

Frank Van's is a title and tag service center — a private business that handles paperwork on behalf of vehicle owners and the state motor vehicle department. They don't issue titles or tags themselves; they submit your documents to the state and handle the back-and-forth so you don't have to sit in a DMV office. If you're buying a used car, selling one, registering a vehicle in a new state, or renewing tags, Frank Van's can process those transactions for you.

The service costs money — Frank Van's charges a fee on top of what the state charges for the title or tag itself. That fee varies depending on what you're doing. For a title transfer on a used car purchase, you're paying both the state's transfer fee and Frank Van's service charge. For tag renewal, you pay the state's renewal cost plus their processing fee. Understanding what each piece costs helps you decide whether using a service like this makes sense for your situation.

Key Takeaways

  • Frank Van's is a private service center that submits title and tag paperwork to the state on your behalf, not a government office.
  • You pay a service fee to Frank Van's in addition to the state's title transfer or tag renewal fees.
  • Common transactions include title transfers when buying or selling a used vehicle, new vehicle registration, and tag renewal.
  • You will need to provide documents like the bill of sale, current title, proof of insurance, and identification depending on the transaction type.
  • Processing time varies by state and transaction type, but typically takes one to three weeks after Frank Van's submits your paperwork.

Title Transfer When You Buy a Used Car

When you purchase a used vehicle, the seller's title must be transferred into your name. Frank Van's can handle this by taking the signed-over title, your bill of sale, proof of insurance, and identification, then submitting everything to your state's motor vehicle department. You don't attend the appointment yourself — you drop off documents or mail them, and Frank Van's does the submission work.

The state charges a title transfer fee, which varies by state and sometimes by vehicle value. Frank Van's adds their own service fee on top. Some states charge $50 to $150 for a title transfer; Frank Van's fee is typically $25 to $75 depending on location and complexity. If the title has a lien on it (meaning the seller still owes money to a lender), the process takes longer because the lender must release the lien before the title can transfer to you. Frank Van's handles coordinating with the lender, but this can add one to two weeks to the timeline.

Tag Renewal and New Vehicle Registration

If your vehicle tags are expiring, Frank Van's can renew them without you visiting the DMV. You provide your current registration, proof of insurance, and identification. Frank Van's submits the renewal to the state, and new tags arrive by mail within two to four weeks. The state charges the renewal fee; Frank Van's charges a separate service fee for processing.

For a new vehicle you've just purchased, Frank Van's can also handle the initial registration and tag issuance. This requires the manufacturer's certificate of origin (or the title if buying used), proof of insurance, and your identification. The state's registration fee for a new vehicle is typically higher than a renewal, and Frank Van's service fee applies here as well. Processing usually takes two to three weeks from the time Frank Van's submits your paperwork.

Documents You'll Need to Bring

The exact documents depend on your transaction, but most require a combination of the following: the current vehicle title (signed by the seller if it's a transfer), a bill of sale showing the purchase price, proof of insurance from your insurer, a government-issued ID, and sometimes a completed state registration form. Frank Van's staff can tell you the specific list for your state and transaction type when you call or visit.

If you're transferring a title with a lien, bring documentation showing the lender's name and contact information. If the vehicle has been registered in another state, bring your out-of-state registration or title. Bring originals, not copies, unless Frank Van's specifically says copies are acceptable. Having everything ready before you visit speeds up the process and reduces the chance of documents being rejected by the state.

How Long Processing Takes

After Frank Van's submits your paperwork to the state, processing time depends on the state's motor vehicle department workload and the type of transaction. A straightforward tag renewal typically takes two to four weeks. A title transfer on a used car purchase usually takes two to three weeks if there's no lien, or three to five weeks if a lien release is involved. New vehicle registration can take three to four weeks.

These timelines start from the day Frank Van's submits your documents, not from the day you drop them off. There may be a delay of a few days between when you provide documents and when Frank Van's submits them, depending on their processing schedule. If your current tags expire before the new ones arrive, contact Frank Van's to ask whether the state has issued a temporary registration or extension. Some states automatically extend expiration dates while a renewal is pending.

When to Use Frank Van's Versus the DMV Directly

Using Frank Van's costs more than going to the DMV yourself because you're paying their service fee. If you have time to visit the DMV in person, you can avoid that fee and sometimes get faster service — some DMV offices process certain transactions same-day or within a few days. However, DMV wait times vary widely by location and time of year, and many people find the convenience of dropping off documents at Frank Van's worth the extra cost.

Frank Van's makes sense if your local DMV has long wait times, limited hours that don't match your schedule, or if you're buying a car from out of state and need someone local to handle the paperwork. It also makes sense if the transaction is complex — like a title transfer with a lien that requires coordination with a lender. For a straightforward tag renewal with no complications, the DMV may be faster and cheaper.

What Happens After Frank Van's Submits Your Paperwork

Once Frank Van's submits your documents to the state, you typically receive a confirmation number or receipt. Keep this for your records. The state processes the paperwork and mails your new title or tags to the address on file. If you need to check the status of your submission, you can usually contact the state's motor vehicle department directly using the confirmation number, or ask Frank Van's to check for you.

If the state rejects your paperwork — usually because a document is missing, unsigned, or incomplete — Frank Van's will contact you to request corrections. This adds time to the overall process. Once you provide the corrected documents, Frank Van's resubmits, and the clock starts again. This is why bringing complete, correct documents the first time matters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to go to Frank Van's in person?

Most Frank Van's locations allow you to drop off documents in person, but many also accept documents by mail. Call your local Frank Van's to ask about their mail-in process and whether they require notarized signatures or other special handling for mailed documents.

What if I need my title or tags before the normal processing time?

Some states offer expedited processing for an additional fee. Ask Frank Van's whether your state has this option and what it costs. Expedited processing typically cuts the timeline in half, but not all transaction types may have access to.

Can Frank Van's handle a title transfer if the seller lives in another state?

Yes, as long as the seller signs the title and provides it to you. Frank Van's can submit an out-of-state title to your state's motor vehicle department for transfer. The process takes slightly longer because the state may need to verify the out-of-state title's authenticity.

What if I buy a car with a loan and the lender holds the title?

The lender will hold the title until you pay off the loan. Frank Van's can still register the vehicle in your name and issue tags; the title will show the lender as the lienholder. Once you pay off the loan, the lender releases the lien and sends you the title, which you can then have transferred to your name free of the lien.

Is Frank Van's the same as the DMV?

No. Frank Van's is a private business that processes paperwork on behalf of customers. The DMV (or your state's motor vehicle department) is the government agency that actually issues titles and tags. Frank Van's submits documents to the DMV but does not have the authority to issue them.