Tax Assessor-Collector Paul Villarreal: New vehicle title and registration forms designed to prevent deceptive trade practices

EDINBURG – The Hidalgo County Tax Assessor-Collector Motor Vehicle Department has updated some of the most frequently used motor vehicle forms in order to protect consumers.

Tax Assessor-Collector Pablo “Paul” Villarreal Jr. said the modifications to the forms were based on recommendations from customers, county officials, and law enforcement.

“These forms are used to obtain information that assists law enforcement and are very important because they prevent deceptive trade practices that result in fraudulent transfers to innocent consumers,” Villarreal said.

The forms warn individuals that Texas Transportation Code §501.155 provides a penalty for persons who knowingly provide false or incorrect information, or who, without legal authority, sign the name of another person on documents related to titles and other documents necessary to transfer ownership of a motor vehicle. An offense under this section is a felony of the third degree, said Villarreal.

The revised forms are:

• HC-001, Hidalgo County Affidavit of Fact is a notarized statement that corrects an error on a title;
• HC-002, Hidalgo County Letter of Authorization, which is used to certify that the individual is the owner of record and is authorizing the motor vehicle transaction;
• TS-10, Affidavit of Non-Motor Vehicle Title Service License Holder is a notarized affidavit stating that an individual, who does not hold a Motor Vehicle Title Service License and has been observed conducting motor vehicle transactions on behalf of others in Hidalgo County, is doing so without compensation; and
• HC-007, Hidalgo County, Texas Residency Affidavit is a sworn statement that the applicant resides in Hidalgo County.