
The process of obtaining a car title after fully paying off an auto loan varies depending on the state and the lender. In most cases, the lender will send a lien release to the borrower, which they can then take to their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to receive an updated title. The time it takes to receive the title after paying off the loan can range from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the state and the method of payment. It's important to note that in some states, the lender will notify the DMV directly, and the updated title will be sent to the borrower without the need for a visit to the DMV. Additionally, in a few states, borrowers are allowed to hold the title while paying off the loan, but the lienholder's name still appears as the legal owner.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who holds the title while financing a car? | This varies by state. In title-holding states, the driver holds the title while paying off a loan. In non-title holding states, the lienholder holds the title until the loan is fully paid off. |
| Who is the legal owner of the vehicle during the loan period? | The lender or lienholder is the legal owner of the vehicle until the loan is paid off. |
| When will the title be received? | The time varies depending on the state and its processes. It can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks or even up to a month. |
| What is the process to obtain the title? | The lender will send a lien release to the DMV, which will then send an updated title to the owner. In some states, the lender will send the lien release directly to the owner, who then submits it to the DMV to receive the updated title. |
| What to do if the title is not received? | Contact the lender or the DMV after 30 days if the title is not received. |
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What You'll Learn

The bank will send a lien release document to the DMV
The process of obtaining your car title varies depending on the state in which you reside. In some states, the bank or lender will send a lien release document directly to the DMV, who will then send you an updated title. This process is called the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system. It is a simplified process that takes significantly less time than other methods. It usually takes about a month to receive the updated title when using the ELT system.
In other states, the bank or lender will send you a lien release document, which you must then take to the DMV to apply for an updated title. This process typically involves submitting physical paperwork either by mail or in person. The time it takes to receive the updated title after submitting the application can vary, but it is generally within two to six weeks.
It is important to note that the lien release document confirms that the loan is fully paid off and that you are the sole owner of the vehicle. The process of obtaining the car title can be initiated only after the loan is completely paid off and the account balance is zero.
The time taken by the bank or lender to send the lien release document can vary. Some sources mention that it should be sent within 3 to 6 calendar days of receiving the final payment. Others state that it should take no more than 30 days. If you have not received the lien release document within this timeframe, it is recommended to contact your lender or the DMV.
To summarise, the process of obtaining your car title and the time it takes can vary depending on the state and the methods used. However, the common factor is that the bank or lender will send a lien release document either to you or directly to the DMV, signifying that you have fulfilled your loan obligations and are now the rightful owner of the vehicle.
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The DMV will send an updated title
The process of obtaining your car title varies depending on the state in which you reside. In some states, the lender will send you a lien release document, which you must then take to your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to apply for an updated title. This process can be done either by mail or in person. The DMV will then send you an updated title.
In other states, the lender will notify the DMV directly, and the DMV will send you the updated title. This is known as the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system and simplifies the process, making it quicker than submitting paperwork manually. However, it usually takes about a month to receive the title in this case.
It is important to note that the time it takes to receive the title after paying off the loan can vary. In states with DMVs that mail titles automatically, the process usually takes around 15 to 30 days. If you have not received your title within this timeframe, it is recommended to follow up with the DMV.
Additionally, it is essential to ensure that your mailing address is correct with both your lender and the DMV to avoid any delays or issues with receiving your title.
In some states, you may be required to request the title online at the DMV and pay for shipping. It is worth noting that the date your title is set for release depends on the guidelines set by the state in which your vehicle is titled, which may not be the same as your state of residence.
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Title-holding states allow drivers to hold the title
In title-holding states, drivers are allowed to hold the title while they are paying off the loan. This means that the title will be sent to the vehicle owner with both their name and the lienholder's name on it. They will be responsible for updating the document once the loan is paid off. The lender should send a lien release within 30 days of the final payment, which the driver will then take to the DMV to apply for an updated title.
The process of obtaining a car title varies depending on the state. In most states, the lender will update the information held by the DMV, and the driver will be sent an updated title automatically. In other states, the driver will receive a lien release document, which they must take to the DMV to apply for an updated title. This can usually be done at the local city or town clerk's office.
It's important to note that the time it takes to receive the title after paying off the loan can vary. If the state uses an ELT system, the driver will typically receive the title within a month of making the final payment. In general, the updated title can be expected to arrive within two to six weeks of applying for it.
Missouri is an example of a title-holding state, where the vehicle owner holds the title with the lienholder listed. However, it's always a good idea to check with the specific state's DMV to understand their process and requirements.
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Non-title holding states require the lienholder to hold the title
In non-title holding states, the lender or lienholder holds the title for the entire duration of the loan. This means that the vehicle is legally owned by the lender until the loan is fully paid off. Once the final payment has been made, the lender will send a lien release to the DMV, who will then issue an updated title to the owner. This process can take up to a month or longer, depending on how quickly the state DMV processes the paperwork.
In non-title holding states, the lienholder's name appears as the legal owner on the title. The lienholder will hold the title until the loan is paid off in full, at which point they will sign off the lien. It is then recommended that the vehicle owner takes the original title document to their local state's auto titling office to have a new title issued in their name without a lienholder.
The process of obtaining a car title varies slightly by state. In some states, the lender will update the information with the DMV, and the updated title will be sent automatically to the owner. In other states, the owner will receive a lien release document, which they must then take to the DMV to apply for an updated title.
It is important to note that even after paying off the loan, the lender may not automatically release the lien. The vehicle owner may need to initiate the lien release process by contacting the lender and requesting that they send a lien release. Therefore, it is advisable to check with the lender about their specific procedures and to keep the title document in a safe place once it is received.
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The time taken to receive the title varies by state
The time it takes to receive a car title after paying off a loan varies by state. In general, you can expect to receive your new title within two to six weeks of applying for it. However, there are a few factors that can affect this timeline.
One factor is whether the state uses an Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system. In states that use the ELT system, the lender will notify the DMV directly, and the DMV will send the updated title to the vehicle owner. This process usually takes about a month. Most lenders will wait a few weeks after the final payment has cleared before notifying the DMV.
In states that do not use the ELT system, the process may take longer. The lender will send the vehicle owner the release of lien form in the mail, and the owner will then need to go to the DMV and apply for an updated title. This process can take up to six weeks or more, depending on how quickly the state DMV processes the paperwork.
It's important to note that some states are title-holding states, where the driver holds the title while paying off the loan, while others are non-title holding states, where the lienholder holds the title until the loan is fully paid off. This can also impact the time it takes to receive the title after paying off the loan.
Additionally, the time it takes to receive the title may depend on how the final payment was made. If the final payment was mailed, it may take a few days for it to reach the lender and be posted to the account. Once the account reaches a zero balance, the title will be set for release.
It's always a good idea to follow up with the lender or the DMV if it has been more than 30 days and you have not received the title.
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Frequently asked questions
The time taken to receive the car title varies. It usually takes around 15 to 30 days for the lender to verify the final payment and send the title. Then, the DMV will require additional time to process the change, which can take around two to six weeks.
Once the loan is paid off, the lender will send a lien release to the DMV, which will then send an updated title. In some cases, the lender will send the lien release to you, which you then need to submit to the DMV to receive the updated title.
The lien release is a formal document confirming that the loan has been paid in full. It is required to update the car title and transfer the ownership of the vehicle to the borrower.
If you haven't received the car title within the expected timeframe, you should contact your lender and the DMV to follow up on the status. It is important to ensure that your mailing address is up to date with both parties to avoid any delays or issues with delivery.

















