State laws address how car titles and title branding are handled. A certificate of title for a vehicle provides definitive proof of ownership. The title brand is the official state record of information on the vehicle, including any damage. Title brands— indicators, symbols or other notations—are printed on the certificate of title to indicate the history or condition of a vehicle. A title brand will indicate significant damage to the vehicle and brand it as “junk” or “salvage.” Ideally, a title brand remains on record for the life of the vehicle. .
