HotrodA, This can be time consuming,unless you talk to the right people. I just went through what you are experiencing. Here in Ohio,you talk to the people in the salvage title department.They were real helpful in my situation. The previous owner of my truck had this truck for over 33yrs.The BMV,investigated the title,and found it to be alright,even though it did not have the serial number,on the door post,Whoops! I had to get a court order,and the judge had to request a new title,in order for the salvage title department to request a serial plate,to be put on the door post to make it a legal registration. Like I said if you talk to the right people,will save you a lot of time.Hope this will help you.Good Luck,Wendell