"Is this a lost cause?"
*** Nope. But you are going to need the assistance of the previous owner (current title holder).
This is from the Texas DOT site:
Applicants for a certified copy of title may be the owner of record, lienholder, or verifiable agent of either. Whether the application is submitted by mail or walk-in, all applicants must provide to the department:
* A properly completed Application for Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34)*, which is available at all VTR Regional Offices, County Tax Assessor-Collectors’ Offices, and on VTR’s Fax on Demand at 1-888-232-7033 or this web site.
* The appropriate fee - $2.00 for mail-in applications and $5.45 for walk-in applications. (If mailed, the fee should be in the form of a check, cashier’s check, or money order made payable to the Texas Department of Transportation.) Please do not mail cash.
* Photo ID (government-issued photo ID, such as Texas or other state driver’s license, government identification card, U.S. Passport, or military identification) of the person signing the Form VTR-34*. (In cases of joint ownership, government-issued photo ID for each individual owner of record is required.)
* If mailing by overnight or express mail through a mail service which requires a physical address, mail to the VTR Regional Office nearest you, using the appropriate street address on the back of the Form VTR-34*.
Source:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/vtrreginfo.htm?pg=faq
The forms can be downloaded from:
http://www.dot.state.tx.us/vtr/vtrreginfo.htm?pg=form1
