Transferring car titles

[bumbergie]

Does anyone know if you can transfer the title of a car to another person if you do not have a "clean" title. The lean is paid off but can not find the "clean" title. What needs to be done in order to transfer?

Thanks!

[CraigFL]

A title is not "clean" until all the liens are satisfied and legally noted. Sometimes the lienholder will hold the title until the lien is paid off and then they return it to you clean. Other times the owner holds the title with the lien. It is the responsibility of the owner to have the lienholder stamp/sign the title paid and release the lienholder from any claim on the vehicle so you can sell it. The DMV will only accept the title transfer with the lienholder signed off.

If you are saying that you did get a new title with the car free & clear and you lost it, you will need to apply for a duplicate title so you can transfer the cars ownership. You should check with your local DMV office to see if they might allow the transfer without physically having the new, duplicate title(done with computer records only).