How to add a lienholder to a title

How to add (record) a lien to a title certificate

Liens can be filed with the New York State DMV for all titled vehicles, boats and manufactured homes (MFH).  The lien filing fee is $5.00 per lien filed, and is paid by the lender.

 

Vehicles sold by New York State dealers (new and used)

If the dealer is arranging the financing for the purchaser, the Dealer must list the lien on the Vehicle Registration / Title Application for Dealer Sales (PDF)  (MV-82DEAL) or Boat Registration / Title Application (PDF) (MV-82B), and in the case of vehicles, the lien box on the Retail Certificate of Sale (MV-50) must be completed appropriately.

If the purchaser is arranging their own financing their Financial Institution must file a Notice of Lien (PDF) (MV-900) with the Department Of Motor Vehicles before the Title is issued.

 

Vehicles sold by out of state dealers (new and used)

The out of state dealer may record a lien on the Vehicle Registration / Title Application for Dealer Sales (PDF)  (MV-82DEAL) under the Dealer Use Only-Lien Filing portion of the application.  They may also record a lien by preparing and sending a Notice of Lien (PDF) (MV-900) along with the fee directly to the Title Bureau upon completion of the sale.

 

Private sales

The purchaser's Financial Institution must file a Notice of Lien (PDF) (MV-900) with the Department Of Motor Vehicles before the Title is issued.

 

Collateral liens

Individuals or companies that borrow from a Financial Institution using their vehicle as collateral for a loan must submit their title and a completed Notice of Lien (PDF) (MV-900) to the Department of Motor Vehicles in order to file the lien. In those cases where the Financial Institution will be filing the lien, the borrower must make their title available to the lender.

 

Electronic Lien Transfer (ELT) System

Lienholders can register with the DMV's ELT system in order to record liens electronically. The Electronic Lien Transfer Program Business User Manual (PDF) (ELT-1) has more information about how lienholders can sign up to the ELT system and uss it to file liens.

 

Please note: The above is only a general outline of the lien filing procedure. For in-depth information about this topic refer to Vehicle, Boat and Manufactured Home Title Program (PDF) (MV-909).