PURPOSE
To provide information regarding the requirement for original handwritten signatures on Auction Sales Receipts, Form VTR-71-1.

DETAILS
For some time, the Houston Police Department (HPD) has issued Auction Sales Receipts using a digitized signature for the authorized agent/seller instead of an original handwritten signature. In September 2004, HPD was notified that under the direction of the Texas Department of Transportation, Office of General Counsel, digitized signatures are not acceptable on transfer of ownership documents, including Form VTR-71-1. Current statutes, rules, and procedures require original, handwritten signatures on all transfer of ownership documents.

COUNTY ACTION
In order to not inconvenience customers who have already been provided Auction Sales Receipts with digitized signatures, the decision has been made to continue to accept these documents issued by HPD that are dated prior to December 1, 2004. A replacement Auction Sales Receipt with an original handwritten signature will be required if a customer presents an Auction Sales Receipt executed by HPD on or after December 1, 2004, that contains a digitized signature.

CONTACT
If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact your local Vehicle Titles and Registration Division Regional Office. You may also call Mike Craig, Deputy Director, or me at (512) 465-7570. Thank you very much.

In some cases the Registration and Title Bulletins (RTB) contain attachments. If you require a copy of the original signed RTB and the attachments, please email your request with the RTB number to VTR Info Request/Open Records. Repeat requests are subject to charges in accordance with Open Record policies. A subscription service is also available for an annual fee of $250. Subscribers will automatically receive all RTB mailings as they are issued.