Liens On a Title

• If the lender was a motor vehicle dealer:       
  • Obtain a written “Out-of-Business” confirmation from the Virginia Motor Vehicle Dealer Board (MVDB) or from the dealer licensing authority in the state where the dealer was based. Virginia lienholders can contact MVDB at 804-367-1100, extension 2.
  • If the dealer merged with or was taken over by another business, include a lien release for the vehicle from the new business and provide supporting documentation linking the original lienholder with the merged or takeover lender.     
• If the lender was a business and not a motor vehicle dealer:
  • Obtain a written "Certificate of Fact" from the Clerk of the Commission for the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) if you are a Virginia lienholder or an official form from the licensing authority in the state where the lienholder was based. The form must state that the lienholder has gone out of business or, merged with or been taken over by another business entity. Virginia lienholders can call the Clerk's Office at the SCC at either 804-371-9733 (local) or 866-722-2551.
  • If the lender has merged with or been taken over by another company, corporation, or lender, include a lien release for the vehicle from the merged or takeover lender and provide supporting documentation linking the original lienholder with the merged or takeover lender;
• If the lender was a sole proprietor and not a Virginia-licensed motor vehicle dealer, obtain written confirmation of the lienholder’s out-of-business status from the locality in which the lender was licensed to do business.

Please provide:

• Returned certified mail addressed to the lender as evidence that you requested a lien release for your vehicle
• Any other documentation which may serve to provide evidence of the satisfaction of the lien, such as receipts from the lienholder, billing notices, or any other evidence indicating that the lien has been paid in full.

• A notarized statement identifying the vehicle by vehicle identification number (VIN), make, and year, and stating that the lien has been satisfied.