How to check a title or lien status

Do it online

You can check the status of vehicle titles and liens online. Sorry, the service is not available for boat titles.

The status check service displays 

  • the date the title was issued by DMV [fn]The issue date is the date the DMV prints the title certificate. The DMV mails the certificate after it's printed. [/fn]
  • the number of liens (if any)
  • the name and address of the lienholder(s)

The service does not display any personal information about the vehicle owner or registrant. 

You must provide the

  • Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
  • vehicle model year
  • vehicle make (i.e. ‘Ford’, ‘Jeep’)

This information can be found on your vehicle's registration documents (see a sample).

 

Check a title or lien status online


Please note, it can take up to 90 days to receive the title certificate from the DMV in the mail. If it has been over 90 days, you still have not received your title,

 

Email the DMV to check your title status

 

If a lien is not listed...

To have a lien recorded on a Certificate of Title, you must

  • submit a request either through a dealer or your lienholder
  • pay the required lien filing fee

If you did that, but did not see your lien listed when you checked the status of the title certificate on this website, or if you learned from another source that the lien is either not recorded or not pending, please have your dealer or lienholder notify DMV immediately by completing and emailing a Lienholder/Dealer Lien Inquiry (pdf) (MV-910) to the email address shown on the form.

 

How to submit a Lienholder/Dealer Lien Inquiry (MV-910)

Step 1: Provide your contact information (if you are a lending institution, include your lien filing code).

Step 2: Provide complete and accurate information for the vehicle(s) or boat(s) in question.

Step 3: Save the form.

  • If the version of Adobe does not allow you to save the information you typed, you can print the form and fax it to (518) 486-6581.

Step 4: Send an email with the form as an attachment to the email address shown on the form 

Do not  use this form or the email to request any other type of information or service from DMV

 

  • we will disregard anything not related to a possible missing lien
  • if you have questions or issues on any other matter, see how to contact us

What to expect

  • DMV staff will respond to your request as soon as possible.  We must first identify the vehicle or boat and verify its title status.  Then we must retrieve and review the application forms to determine the appropriate response.  Please note that these activities take time.
     
  • If your lien has not been recorded, and the correct form(s) and fee have been filed, we will record your lien and send you a Notice of Recorded Lien (MV-901).  If we do not have the correct form(s) and fee to record your lien, we will contact you to let you know what is needed.