Electronic Lien Program General Information

Currently, when an application for a new title indicates a lien, DMV provides the lienholder with the titling information on a paper form. This information includes a description of the vehicle, the name and address of the vehicle owner as well as the name and address of the lienholder.

Process Description

With the Electronic Lien Program (ELP), a lien/title message containing essential identifying information is bundled into an electronic envelope and sent to the lienholder’s electronic mailbox. The lienholder retrieves the messages from the mailbox, sorts and matches them to their files and then stores the information electronically.

When the lien is satisfied, the lienholder sends an electronic message to a DMV mailbox, authorizing release of the title to the vehicle owner. DMV retrieves the message, matches it to its files and then prints the title and mails it to the vehicle owner.

DMV Mailboxes

DMV has established two mailboxes:

1. A normal mailbox for all messages except "emergency" messages. This mailbox is emptied and processed each night, and
2. An "emergency" mailbox for "distributive printing" (release of the "title print held" condition). This mailbox is emptied and processed on an hourly basis during the hours of 7:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. EST, or EDST, Monday through Friday (excluding State Holidays).