When a vehicle is financed, the question of who holds the title arises frequently, especially in our car title division. The owner’s name is listed on the physical title, even if the vehicle was bought on a loan. This title certificate includes a section referencing the lien holder, which is the entity that provided the loan for the vehicle purchase.
The Role of the Lien Holder
In most states, when the title certificate is printed by the DMV, it’s sent to the lien holder—the bank or financial institution that holds the loan. While the owner’s name appears on the title, the lien holder has a security interest in the vehicle until the loan is paid off. This interest acts as collateral to ensure loan repayment.
Impact of the Lien Holder on Ownership
While you, as the owner, have insurance, registration, and use of the vehicle, the presence of the lien holder’s name on the title prevents you from selling the vehicle until the loan is fully paid. Once the final payment is made, the lien holder releases the title to you, confirming your full ownership.
States with Paperless Titles
Some states issue electronic titles for newer vehicles. In these cases, there’s no physical paper document initially created. The DMV maintains an electronic record of the title, and upon loan payoff, the lien is cleared from the records. Owners can opt to print a paper title if needed.
Leased vehicles and titles
For leased vehicles, the leasing company is often listed as the title owner, while you are considered the registrant. At the end of the lease, the vehicle returns to the leasing company unless you exercise the purchase option, which transfers the title to you.
Understanding Loan Charge-Offs and Titles
A charge-off by the lender signifies they don’t expect to recover the loan amount. However, this doesn’t remove the lien from the title record. The lender continues holding the title until the loan is fully paid, despite the charge-off status.
Impact of Charge-Offs on Titles
Even with a charge-off, the lien remains on the title. Removing the lien may require a separate process, and until then, the financial institution still holds the title certificate. The charge-off status doesn’t automatically eliminate the lien from the title record.
Finalizing the Loan
The title certificate remains with the financial institution until the last payment is completed, regardless of the charge-off status. Only upon full loan repayment does the title transfer to the owner, releasing the lien holder’s interest in the vehicle.