Will a request letter make the lender release the lien?

A letter is a dated written record of what you asked for, not a guarantee. In some states the lender's deadline is tied to the owner's demand or request, and the builder says so when your state is one of them. Your state's page quotes the rule and where it comes from.

Do I type my VIN or loan number into this page?

No. The builder only asks for your state, lender and situation. The letter has bracketed spaces for the date, your name, address, VIN, vehicle, loan number and payoff date. The follow-up letter also has spaces for the date you first asked and how you sent it. Fill those in on your own copy and send them only through the lender's own channel.

Should I use the lender's channel or send the letter?

Start with the channel the lender publishes, because that is how it expects to receive title and lien release requests. Some lenders only take a phone request, and some release automatically. The letter is your written record or follow-up. Keep a dated copy of whatever you send and any reply.

What if the lender's deadline has already passed?

Choose the option that says you already asked and the lender's time has passed. The follow-up letter repeats your request, states your state's timing rule in our words with its citation, and asks for the release date in writing. The page also shows the next step our state page gives for a late lender, when it has one. A letter or a complaint is a record of what you asked for, not a guarantee of a release.

What if the lender says it released the lien but the state still shows it?

Choose the second option. It asks the lender for the release date, how it was delivered, and a signed release you can give to your state. Your state decides which release document clears its record, and each state page lists what it accepts.

What if my lender is out of business?

A lender that no longer exists cannot send a release, so your state's own procedure decides what replaces it. Some states ask for a certified letter to the lender's last address first, so read the procedure before you skip that step. Choose the out-of-business option to see your state's published text, or read the lender out of business guide.

Free lien release tool

Free lien release request letter

Paid off the loan but the lien release or title has not arrived? Choose your state, lender and what happened. You get a letter to copy or print, the lender's own request channel, and your state's published lender deadline.

Three choices, nothing to type

What happened after you paid it off?

This tool does not collect a VIN, loan number, plate, address or document. The letter has bracketed spaces; fill them in on your own copy.

Where is the car titled?Not listed yet: New Mexico, Utah, Wyoming.Who was your lender?What happened?

Choose your state, lender and what happened to build the letter.

Subject: Request for lien release after loan payoff

[Your name] [Mailing address] [Date] To the lender's title department: Vehicle: [Year make model] VIN: [VIN] Loan or account number: [Loan or account number] Title state: [State] I paid off this auto loan on [Payoff date]. I have not received the lien release or the title. Please confirm in writing: 1. That the loan is paid in full and your lien on this vehicle has been released. 2. The date the lien release or title was sent, and how it was sent (paper title, paper lien release, or electronic release to the state). 3. The address it was sent to, if it was mailed. If it has not been sent, please send it to [Mailing address]. Please reply in writing to [Mailing address]. Thank you, [Your name]

Using the letter

How to send a lien release request

Free, with no sign-in. Every guide and official link on this site stays free.

Use the channel your lender publishes first. Some take phone requests only, and some release automatically.
Fill in the bracketed spaces on your own copy: the date you send it, your name, address, vehicle, VIN, loan number and payoff date.
Send the letter in a way that leaves a record, such as the lender's message center or mail, and keep a dated copy.
Ask for the release date and how it was delivered, then check your state record before you request a duplicate title.

Lien release request letter questions

Will a request letter make the lender release the lien?: A letter is a dated written record of what you asked for, not a guarantee. In some states the lender's deadline is tied to the owner's demand or request, and the builder says so when your state is one of them. Your state's page quotes the rule and where it comes from.
Do I type my VIN or loan number into this page?: No. The builder only asks for your state, lender and situation. The letter has bracketed spaces for the date, your name, address, VIN, vehicle, loan number and payoff date. The follow-up letter also has spaces for the date you first asked and how you sent it. Fill those in on your own copy and send them only through the lender's own channel.
Should I use the lender's channel or send the letter?: Start with the channel the lender publishes, because that is how it expects to receive title and lien release requests. Some lenders only take a phone request, and some release automatically. The letter is your written record or follow-up. Keep a dated copy of whatever you send and any reply.
What if the lender's deadline has already passed?: Choose the option that says you already asked and the lender's time has passed. The follow-up letter repeats your request, states your state's timing rule in our words with its citation, and asks for the release date in writing. The page also shows the next step our state page gives for a late lender, when it has one. A letter or a complaint is a record of what you asked for, not a guarantee of a release.
What if the lender says it released the lien but the state still shows it?: Choose the second option. It asks the lender for the release date, how it was delivered, and a signed release you can give to your state. Your state decides which release document clears its record, and each state page lists what it accepts.
What if my lender is out of business?: A lender that no longer exists cannot send a release, so your state's own procedure decides what replaces it. Some states ask for a certified letter to the lender's last address first, so read the procedure before you skip that step. Choose the out-of-business option to see your state's published text, or read the lender out of business guide. Lender out of business guide

Guides

Lien release guides by lender and state

All title after payoff guides

What happened after you paid it off?

Sample lien release request letter

How to send a lien release request

Lien release request letter questions

Lien release guides by lender and state