Lien Pay Offs & Lease Buy Outs

When you pay off a loan or other lien on a vehicle, the bank or other lienholder must sign the appropriate section of the vehicle title and mail or otherwise deliver it to you. You may then bring this to a DMV Full Service Office or mail it to us to have the lienholder removed and obtain a "clear title." It does not matter whether the title was issued in a different state as long as the vehicle is registered in Nevada.

Lenders do not notify the DMV of a loan pay off. If you do not have a new title issued, the lienholder will continue to be listed in the official records. If you misplace the title, you will have to contact the lienholder to obtain a Lien Release. If the title was issued in another state, you will have to get a duplicate from the other state.

The fee for a new title is $20. We will mail it to you in approximately eight weeks. It is not necessary to renew or update the vehicle registration.

If you choose to mail the title, for your protection, we suggest you use registered or certified mail. Please include an explanation letter with your full name, current address, daytime telephone number and Nevada license plate number. Mail this, the title and a check or money order payable to DMV or a Credit Card Authorization to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Title Processing
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711

If the bank or other lienholder does not have the title, the lienholder may complete and notarize a Lien Release form and mail this to you. You will have to complete an Application for Duplicate Title and submit both to DMV as outlined above.

	Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (RD-12) 54kb  This form is for use only if the vehicle was last titled in Nevada. It must be completed in full, including the date the original title was issued. If you are not sure whether your vehicle is titled in Nevada or if you do not have all of the information requested, please contact the Records Section at (775) 684-4590. If your vehicle is titled in another state, you must obtain a duplicate from that state.
	Lien Release (RD-186) - 39kb Releases an ownership interest held by a financial institution or other third party.
	Credit Card Authorization Slip (RD-205)  - 31kb

When you purchase a car you have been leasing, a Nevada dealer (lessor) and any lienholder will collect the sales tax and the title fee from you that is due on the sale. If you wish to have a corrected registration issued in your name alone, the dealer will also collect a $5.00 fee. The dealer will submit the title and a Dealers Report of Sale (DRS) to the DMV.

You will receive the new registration in the mail. The new lienholder, if any, will receive the new title in the mail. If there is no lienholder, you will receive the new title (separately from the registration) in approximately eight weeks.

If the dealer does not collect the $5.00 registration fee and issues a green copy of the DRS to you, then you should obtain the new Certificate of Registration. No registration renewal or emissions inspection is necessary if the vehicle not due for renewal.

Bring the DRS to a DMV Full Service Office to have a new registration issued. You may also use the mail. Please include an explanation letter with your full name, current address, daytime telephone number and Nevada license plate number. Mail this, the green DRS and a check or money order payable to DMV or a Credit Card Authorization for $5.00 to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Renew By Mail Section
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711-0725

Out of state dealers should give you the title, a Bill of Sale or another appropriate document. Please bring all documentation to a DMV Full Service Office. DMV will verify any sales taxes paid and charge any difference between that amount and what would have been due in Nevada. A $20 title fee will also apply. 

Individuals or businesses cannot simply 'place a lien' on a vehicle. Only licensed garages, tow companies or storage businesses with a signed work order, property release or contract can sell a vehicle on a lien.  Owner notification and a public auction are required. See Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 108 and Nevada Administrative Code Chapter 108.

Private landowners, property management companies and others must contact local law enforcement and/or towing services for removal of an abandoned vehicle.