Official Site of The State of New Jersey

A lien is a type of property claim. As related to the purchase of a vehicle, it means the lending institution holds the title until the vehicle is paid in full.

Requesting a lien search

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

Online Request :

Click on the link to complete a Title/Lien Search Online Request

Mail Requests :

Complete the following steps to request a lien search:

• Fill out the Application for Title/Lien Search (Form DO-22).
  • Note: Ensure both pages 1 and 2 are completed. You may either print the form on both sides of a single sheet or print two sheets.
  • Make a copy of your driver’s license to submit with the form (DO-22).
  • Include a check or money order for $15 payable to the NJMVC.
  • Mail all of the above required documents to:

  New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
  Certified Information Unit
  225 E. State Street
  PO Box 146
  Trenton, NJ08666-0146

  Please call the MVC’s Certified Information Unit at (609) 292-4102 if you have any questions.

  Requesting the Re-Issuance of a Lien Free Title

  A request to re-issue a title can be made at a motor vehicle agency or through the mail. In either case, the new title will be issued without the lien holder noted.

  If you visit a motor vehicle agency:

  • You must provide the New Jersey title endorsed with a lien or the New Jersey title with the lien satisfaction letter attached.
  • The fee is $60. The MVC accepts American Express® card, Visa® card, MasterCard®, Discover card®, checks, money orders and cash.

  If you submit through the mail:

  • Include the New Jersey title endorsed with a lien or the New Jersey title with the lien satisfaction letter attached.
  • Include a check or money order for $60 payable to the NJMVC.
  • Send the documents to:

  New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
  Database Corrections Unit
  225 East State Street
  PO Box 141
  Trenton, NJ 08666-0141

  Recording a lien (used as collateral)

  New Jersey lien holders must visit a motor vehicle agency to complete this transaction; out-of-state lien holders may submit through the mail. 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 an Entity Identification Number (EIN- formerly CorpCode), you must provide additional information.
  If you visit a motor vehicle agency:

  • Complete a Universal Title Application (form OS/SS-UTA).
  • Provide the New Jersey title.
  • Pay the $85 fee. The MVC accepts American Express® card, Visa® card, MasterCard®, Discover card®, checks, money orders and cash.

  If you submit a request through the mail:

  • Complete a Universal Title Application (form OS/SS-UTA).
  • Include the New Jersey title.
  • Include a check or money order for $85 payable to the NJMVC.
  • Send the documents to:

  New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
  Database Corrections/In-house Agency
  225 East State Street
  PO Box 141
  Trenton, NJ 08666-0141

  NJMVC requires the following items to remove a lien from a title:

  Proof of ownership (one of the following):

  • Vehicle Title,
    
  • Vehicle registration, insurance card or declaration page,
    
  • Bill of Sale,
    
  • Certified record title search, DO-22 (by mail only, $15),
    
  • Or, a certified record vehicle registration, DO-11A (can be obtained same day at a full-service agency, $15).

  Proof of final loan payment:

  • A signed and dated lien satisfaction letter on official company letterhead. The letter must include the name(s) of all owners and include the company name, address, phone number, as well as the specific vehicle
    VIN number, year and make that match the title document; or
    
  • A motor vehicle dealer wire transfer statement with transaction number handled by the Title Records Unit;
    
  • Or a retail installment agreement with matching VIN number. The retail installment agreement must have the name of the financial institution, name of the customer, originating form with finance details, stamped with the bank's name and dated.
  • *Additional proof of payment is not needed if the customer has the original NJ title with the lien satisfaction signed and dated by an authorized representative.

  *Additional proof of payment is not needed if the customer has the original NJ title with the lien satisfaction signed and dated by an authorized representative.

  Additional Requirements

  Lien satisfaction letters from individual lienholders, who are not financial institutions, are required to be notarized.

  Lien Satisfaction Letters: Customers shall not be given titles with liens; they can only be given to lienholders.

  **NJMVC reserves the right to request additional proof(s) of payment to substantiate the release of a lien.