Sounds like the DMV handed it over to the tax collectors to squeeze more money out of you.
I hate the self-entitled authority-abusers with a passion that requires my vilest profanity.
Couple ways around that:
An appraisal - heck, I'd do it from an info package that would legitimize it - from one of us.
Or you can do it yourself, really all that's needed is a letterhead and different contact info than yours.
Grab a pack of Repair Invoices from Staples, etc and go to town, again different contact info.
You could use me for that but I'm in Idaho, so not very plausible.