DMV will assign each participating lienholder. To participate, lienholders must become an ELT service provider or contract with one of DMV’s approved ELT service providers to transmit vehicle and title data. However, note that REG 166 is not applicable for electronic titles or for vehicles that are less than two model years old. With the ELT Program, DMV keeps California Certificates of Title in an electronic format in a database instead of in a physical location. You can provide this proof either by submitting a notarized letter confirming the lien is satisfied or by completing the “Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release” (REG 166) form. If you need us to expedite your title processing, you can request rush title processing for an additional fee. Our Costa Mesa and Los Angeles AAA branches perform California Bureau of Automotive Repair STAR Certified Test-Only smog checks by trusted, highly trained technicians. Once you’ve cleared your car loan, the DMV requires proof that the lien is settled before issuing a duplicate title. If your DMV renewal notice indicates you need a smog check, we can help. In situations where the California car title is lost or stolen, only the lienholder can apply for and receive a replacement title. The lender has the right to repossess the vehicle if payments are missed.
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If your car was bought on finance, it likely has a lien, preventing you from selling it until it’s fully paid off. The titleholder Is still the old lienholder, even if you’ve paid it off. Once you have obtained a release from the entity that has the lien you must do what is called a “legal transfer” (to remove the entity that has the lien). If you have a title that has a lienholder on it, and you have misplaced it, you will NOT be able to order a new title.