Understanding the Title Process
You’ve probably heard the word title frequently in your vehicle journey, but do you know why it’s so important? For starters, it’s a legal document that establishes ownership of a vehicle. It includes official information about the vehicle such as the vehicle identification number (VIN), make and model, as well as identifying information about the owner. Not only is it required to register your vehicle but it’s also required if you were to sell or transfer it.
For more information, download our “Let’s Talk Titles” fact sheet.
I have moved out of state. How do I register my vehicle in my new state?
If you moved to a new state, you may need to update your information and register your vehicle in your new location. To learn more, check out our Out-of-State Registration form. Since each state has different procedures, we recommend you visit your state’s motor vehicle agency website for additional information.
PAYING OFF YOUR VEHICLE
After you’ve completed your contract agreement with us and paid off your vehicle, we’ll send the title or lien release to you within 30 days of your final payment clearing, depending on payment method and applicable state laws.
There are a few instances that would prevent sending you the vehicle’s title or lien release. For example, if ownership has been transferred to another party or a second lienholder is disclosed on the title, documentation will not be sent.
IMPORTANT: Make sure your address is correct or updated prior to making your final payment for the title release. Otherwise, your title may be sent to the wrong address. You can either log in to MyAccount to update your address or contact us.
Electronic Titles
If your state uses an electronic lien system instead of issuing a paper title, we’ll notify them of our release of the lien electronically. For more information on the electronic lien and titling process, please contact your state's motor vehicle agency directly. If you’re in an electronic lien release state, we’ll notify you by mail. Depending on state laws, electronic titles and/or liens are released to the state's agency about 10 business days after an account is paid in full. However, there may be additional processing time before receiving your vehicle title.
Frequently Asked Questions
Only individuals on the contract can be added to the title. Retail customers can contact their state’s motor vehicle agency about adding or removing someone from the title.
If you moved to a new state, you may need to update your information and register your vehicle in your new location. To learn more, check out our Out-of-State Registration form. Since each state has different procedures, we recommend you visit your state’s motor vehicle agency website for additional information.
There are three states that require permission from the lienholder to re-register: Arizona, New York and West Virginia. For customers in those states, please fill out our Relocation Request form.
Congratulations! After you’ve completed your contract agreement and paid off your vehicle, we’ll send the title or lien release to you within 30 days of your final payment clearing, depending on payment method and applicable state laws.
IMPORTANT: Make sure your address is correct or updated prior to making your final payment for the title release. Otherwise, your title may be sent to the wrong address. You can either log in to MyAccount to update your address or contact us.
We can release our lien directly with the state if it has an electronic title system. For more information on the electronic lien and titling process, please contact your state’s motor vehicle agency directly. If you’re in an electronic lien release state, we’ll notify you by mail. Depending on state laws, electronic titles and/or liens are released to the state’s agency about 10 business days after an account is paid in full. However, there may be additional processing time before receiving your vehicle title.
If it's been more than 30 days and you still haven't received your title, and we didn’t notify you that you’re in an electronic lien release state, you can order a duplicate title and/or lien release. Submit a request by going to getmycartitle.com/gmfinancial and following the steps. Fees may apply. For step-by-step directions, download our “Let’s Talk Titles” fact sheet.
To release titles on lease accounts, we require you to fill out our Lease Purchase Documents, including the odometer statement and damage disclosure acknowledgment (depending on state law). These can be found in our Document Center along with instructions for returning the paperwork.
If you’re a lease customer and you recently purchased your lease, you’re requesting a duplicate title. You can submit a request by going to getmycartitle.com/gmfinancial and following the steps. Fees may apply. For step-by-step directions, download our “Let’s Talk Titles” fact sheet.