OK i have a few questions about getting a new title.?

ok im thinking about buying a car from my friend, BUT he doesn't know where the title is we need to get a new one. i live in virginia and he lives in north carolina. what i want to know is if he goes to get the new title him self what does he need to go fill out the lost title information. ALso could he poss ably write a letter stating that he was going to sell me the car so I can go and get the tittle my self? AND if he can do that what information does he need to include in the letter and does he have 2 get it notarized or something?