Loan Payoffs and Lease Buyouts
Getting a "clear" title for your vehicle is a final, satisfying step in car ownership. In Nevada, the process depends on whether your lender uses the Electronic Lien Title (ELT) system or a traditional paper title.
Loan Payoffs: Getting Your Title
How you receive your title depends on when your loan was started.
Electronic Titles (Loans after July 1, 2017)
Most lenders in Nevada are now required to use the ELT system.
- The Process: Once you pay off the loan, the lender electronically notifies the DMV.
- Your Action: None. You don’t need to submit any paperwork.
- The Result: The DMV will automatically print a “clear” title and mail it to the address the lender has on file.
- Tip: Double-check that your lender has your current mailing address before your final payment.
Paper Titles (Older Loans)
For liens established prior to July 1, 2017:
- The Process: Your bank or lienholder may hold a paper title for your vehicle. Once the loan is paid in full, the lienholder must sign the appropriate section of the title and mail or otherwise deliver the original title to you.
- Your Action: Lenders do not notify the DMV of the payoff. If you do not submit the signed title to the DMV to have a new title issued in your name, the lienholder will continue to appear on DMV records as an active lienholder.
Submit the Title
How you receive your title depends on when your loan was started.
Step 1: Complete the Title
Lienholder to Be Recorded Section – You must complete this section on the back of the title.
If the new Certificate of Title is to reflect a security interest in the vehicle, the lienholder’s name and address must be recorded
You do not need to complete the odometer statement on the front
Write “None” if there is no new lienholder to be recorded
Important: Any alteration or erasure will void a Nevada Certificate of Title. If you plan to visit a DMV office, you may wish to complete the title while at the DMV to ensure it is filled out correctly.
Step 2: Pay Fees
Lienholder to Be Recorded Section – You must complete this section on the back of the title.
- $28.25 if there is a change of ownership in the title
- $20 if there is no change of ownership
Step 3: Choose Your Submission Method
Lienholder to Be Recorded Section – You must complete this section on the back of the title.
Option 1: Submit In Person
Visit any Nevada DMV Office and submit your title and payment.
Option 2: Submit By Mail
For your protection, we recommend using registered or certified mail. Please include:
The title with your current address entered in the assignment of title section
An explanation letter with your full name, daytime telephone number, and Nevada license plate number
Payment: Check or money order payable to the DMV, or a Payment Authorization form
Mail to:
Nevada DMV
Title Processing
555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711
What if there's no title?
If the lienholder does not have the title and it is not an ELT document, the lienholder may complete and notarize a Lien Release form and mail this to you.
You will have to complete an Application for Duplicate Title and submit both to the DMV as outlined above.
Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (VP 012) - For use only if the vehicle was last titled in Nevada
If you are not sure whether your vehicle is titled in Nevada or if you do not have all of the information requested, please contact the Records Section for instructions.
Lien Release (VP 186) - Releases an ownership interest held by a financial institution or other third party
Payment Authorization Form (ADM 205) - Authorizes the DMV to charge your credit or debit card
Loan Payoffs: Getting Your Title
When you purchase a vehicle (Lease Buyout) you have been leasing, a Nevada dealer and/or the lienholder will collect the sales tax and the title fee from you that is due on the sale.
Nevada Dealer
The dealer will submit the title and a Dealers Report of Sale (DRS) to the DMV.
Important: A paper title will be mailed to the registered owner if there is no new lienholder.
Out-of-State Dealer
Out-of-state dealers will either give you the title, bill of sale, or another appropriate document or mail it directly to the Nevada DMV Title Department.
Important: Please bring all documentation to a DMV office. A $28.25 title fee will apply.
Registration
You must have a registration issued in your name.
- A Nevada dealership is entitled to collect a $5 duplicate registration fee
- If the dealer does not collect the $5 fee and you would like a corrected registration, bring your receipts and supporting documents to a DMV office. You have two options:
Option 1: In Person
Visit any Nevada DMV Office and submit your title.
What to bring:
The completed title
$28.25 (Nevada address) or $35.00 (Out-of-State address)
Option 2: By Mail
We suggest using registered or certified mail. Include:
An explanation letter with your full name, current address, daytime telephone number, and Nevada license plate number
The DRS (Dealer Report of Sale)
Check or money order payable to DMV for $5 or a Payment Authorization form
Mail to:
Nevada DMV
Renewal by Mail Section
555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711
Important: If you receive an updated Dealer Report of Sale, do not use it to register the vehicle again as that will create a duplicate registration.
Mechanics/Storage Liens
When you purchase a vehicle (Lease Buyout) you have been leasing, a Nevada dealer and/or the lienholder will collect the sales tax and the title fee from you that is due on the sale.
Who Can Sell Through a Lien Sale?
Only the following can sell a vehicle through a lien sale:
Licensed Garages
With a signed work order
Tow Companies
With a property release
Storage Businesses
With a property release
Note: Owner notification and a public auction are required.
Private Landowners & Property Management
Private landowners, property management companies, and others must contact local law enforcement and/or towing services for removal of an abandoned vehicle.
You cannot place a lien or sell an abandoned vehicle on your property yourself. You must go through proper legal channels.
Legal References
For detailed legal requirements, please refer to:
Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 108