Obtaining Your Title - Smart Car of America Forums : Smart Car Forum

doenut · 12-09-2008, 05:35 AM

I have just paid off my car (Yay!) and yesterday I received a letter from the Bank through which I financed the car, as well as a "Lien Release". There was no title. I completed the payoff about two weeks ago.

When I called to inquire where my title is, they told me that they "Don't hold the title". When I asked who holds it and how can I get it, now that my car is paid for, they waffled a little bit but then said I should contact the Dept of Motor Vehicles. This makes no sense to me.

Anybody have any experience with this kind of thing? I've had five other new cars, and the title has always just automatically been sent to me after payoff.

HELP PLEASE!

MPrice2984 · 12-09-2008, 05:41 AM

Depending on the state, once the DMV receives the lein release they will send you the title. In Indiana it takes about 3 weeks after release of the lein.

**JPaul** · 12-09-2008, 05:42 AM

It may be different from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Here, in DC, the DMV re-issued a fresh lien-free title when the owner proved that the previous lien had been paid off.

wildman · 12-09-2008, 06:47 AM

I don't know how things are done in NW Indiana, but here in the rest of the state, you put the lean on the title at the BMV, and the title is then sent to the leinholder. Depending on whether it is a local credit union, or a large bank the title is kept on site, or sent to one of the larger banks. I have had banks actually loose the title (with all the mergers) and tell me to go apply for a duplicate title, and they will reimburse me for the cost (not my time and trouble). My Credit union keeps the all the titles at one branch, so if you pay off a loan at that branch they hand you the title right then, if you go to a different branch for a payoff they send you the title in 3 to 4 weeks.

mike-in-sa · 12-09-2008, 07:18 AM

We just paid our cabrio off and our credit union had the title. They mailed it to us so we didn't have to drive across town. Now the state has it to take off the lien. Sounds like they lost your title.

paroyboy · 12-09-2008, 09:28 AM

Here in PA, they do electronic titles. That means there is no paper title until the lien is released. The bank notifies the state, then the DMV prints the title and sends it to the owner. Usually takes about two weeks from my experience. It also speeds up the process if you send the payoff with a cashiers check vs a personal check. That way they dont hold it until the check clears before releasing the lien

broberts · 12-09-2008, 10:23 AM

My title took about 4 weeks from time of purchase. The dealer had to notify the DVM (Georgia) there was no lien on the title.

doenut · 12-09-2008, 10:29 AM

Paroyboy: It sounds like PA and RI are similar. After posting this today, I contacted the person I purchased the car from and asked her if she knew about this. She said that RI just started electronic titling. She's going to let me know whether the dealer can take care of this for me....I'll just get the Lien release to them and they'll take care of getting things done at the DMV. They'll send me the title when they get the paperwork processed. I still believe the Bank (Chase, in case anyone wants to know) should have sent the Lien Release to the DMV and NOT me! It's a step any bank should take, especially when you pay off a 60 month loan in 6 months!

Anyway, thanks for all the feedback. It's helpful.

**jwight** · 12-09-2008, 10:33 AM

doenut, here's what I could find:

Quote:

Removing a Lien

If you financed your car, paying off the loan makes you the legal owner of the vehicle, and you should transfer the title to your name. The lienholder will typically sign off on the title and send it to you.

1. Take the following documents to the Pawtucket DMV:

* Existing title signed by lienholder

* A notarized Application for Registration and Title Certificate

* A title fee of $26.50

NOTE: If the title is lost or destroyed, you can complete an Application for Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss. If you use this form, it must be accompanied by a lien release signed by the lienholder. The DMV accepts original forms only―no photocopies. A loan document stamped “PAID” is not acceptable.

JD10367 · 12-09-2008, 03:25 PM

Sounds like they lost it on you. That happened to me when I moved from NY to RI. I paid off my Saturn, and they said they sent me the title, but I never got it (although I got the lien release) so I went to the DMV and got a duplicate.

We bought our '09 outright, and are still waiting for the official plates... I assume we'll get our title at that point...

P.S. Doe, we need to meet up on a weekend and show you the '09!