Liens

To record a lien (used as collateral)
Visit your local MVC Agency:

• Submit a Financing Statement (Form OS/SS-85C [345k pdf]) and New Jersey title
• Pay $85 fee
• Lien will be recorded on your New Jersey title

Or

• Out-of-state lien holder (only) may mail
  • Financing Statement (Form OS/SS-85C [345k pdf])
  • New Jersey title
  • $85 check or money order to:
    
    
    Motor Vehicle Commission
    Database Corrections/In House Agency
    P.O. Box 141
    225 East State Street
    Trenton, NJ 08666-0141
    
    
• In both cases, the new title will be mailed to the lien holder. If you are located outside New Jersey or are a new lien holder requiring a Corporation Code, additional information must be provided

Required notification of a satisfied lien

When satisfying a lien on vehicles 4 years old or less and at the time of release has a value of $50,000 or more according to Kelly Blue Book or NADA. Agencies are required to request additional documentation to show the proper payoff of the recorded lien. This proof may include, but is not limited to, a canceled check from dealership, bank, or titled owner.

Documentation required when satisfying a lien

1. A lien release letter on company official letterhead -referencing the specific vehicle by year, make, model and VIN

AND

2.  The original certificate of title stamped paid with the company stamp or signature by an authorized representative of the company.

If the vehicle is 5 years old or more

1. A lien release letter on company official letterhead- referencing the specific vehicle by year, make, model and VIN

AND

2.  The original certificate of title stamped paid with the company stamp or signature by an authorized representative of the company.

If the original certificate of title is not available, and the documents referenced above are presented, the customer does not need to make application for a duplicate title, showing the active lien.  A new title, after the lien has been satisfied, can be printed for the owner/authorized representative for the owner, with the appropriate fees charged.

Additional Requirements

When a lien holder is an individual or a private company, not a financial institution, the lien release must be noted on the original certificate of title AND accompanied by an original, notarized, letter from the individual/company releasing the lien.  This letter must be vehicle specific by year, make, and complete VIN.  Faxed lien releases ARE NOT acceptable in these circumstances.

There can be no exceptions to this requirement.

All Letters, whether submitted by a bank, credit union, other financial institution, or from a private individual, must be original and must include the full mailing address of the business or person, a business/company telephone number, the signature of an authorized representative, and must reference the name and address of the owner(s) as well as the year, make, and complete VIN of the vehicle.

Faxed Lien Releases, sent directly to an agency from a financial institution, are acceptable.

No faxed lien releases are acceptable when releasing a lien held by an individual. These releases must be original, must be notarized, and must be vehicle specific.

Mail the statement to:

The lien holder must date, sign and stamp the face of the title with the endorsement "lien satisfied."


If you need to re-issue a title
Visit any MVC Agency:

• Submit your New Jersey title endorsed with a lien or your New Jersey title with the lien satisfaction letter attached
• Pay $85 fee
• New title will be issued without the lien holder noted

Or

• Send updated documents to:
  
  
  Motor Vehicle Commission
  Database Corrections
  PO Box 141
  Trenton, NJ 08666-0141
  

To request a lien search
A lien search will produce current lienholder and owner information listed in the MVC database. To request a lien search:

• Complete the Request for Lien Search (Form DO-22) and include the year, make, VIN, and detailed reason you are making the request
• Submit a photocopy of your driver license
• Submit $15 check or money order made payable to: NJMVC
• Mail required documents to:
  • NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
    Certified Information Unit
    225 E. State Street
    PO Box 146
    Trenton, NJ08666-0146

Note: Both pages 1 and 2 must be completed and submitted for your request to be considered. You may either print the form on both sides of a single sheet or print and attach the two separate sheets.

A separate request is required for each vehicle.

Any questions? Call the the Certified Information Unit at (609) 292-4102.