How Do I Get A Title Status?

Quick Overview: The check sent to the bank was in your companies name, so only your company has the authority to get the title status from the bank. Go to the closed deal in DealNow and you will find all the information you need to call and contact the bank in the documents or the add-on loan payoff service.

Purpose

This article walks you through how to contact a bank to confirm lien release or title status after a payoff check has been sent. It also includes tips and tricks to help you navigate bank verification requirements and automated phone systems.

When to Use This

Use these steps after the payoff check has been delivered and processed by the bank, and the bank is the next step in the titling process.

Note that most banks can't tell you if the check has arrived if it hasn't been processed yet. That is were the tracking will come in.

Step-by-Step: Calling the Bank

1. Open the Closed Deal

• Navigate to the closed deal in DealNow.
• Locate and open the Lien Release Letter.

The closed deal page and lien release letter together contain everything you need for the call.

2. Gather Key Information

Before calling, make sure you have:

• Bank name (listed on the lien release letter)
• Account number (from the lien release letter)
• Borrower name (as shown on the loan)

Use the bank name to look up a matching loan, title, or customer service phone number.

DealNow is working on getting all phone numbers together for these banks and will be a future feature to have the phone number right there in the closed deal

3. Call the Bank

• Most banks use automated phone systems.
• Listen carefully and follow the prompts.

Look for paths such as:

• “Loan servicing”
• “Title status”
• “Lien release”

You will almost always need to speak with a live customer service representative. Automated systems typically do not provide lien or title release details.

4. Speak With a Representative

When connected to a representative:

• Provide the account number from the lien release letter.
• Ask for the status of the lien release and title.

If the representative says they cannot locate the information:

• Explain that the payoff check included attached documents that give your authority to get the title status update.
• Ask them to review the documents attached to the check that paid off the loan.

These documents are always included with the lien release check.

Documents Attached to the Payoff Check

Banks should have access to the following documents:

• Power of Attorney (POA)
• Odometer Disclosure (ODOM)
• Lien Release Letter
• Authorization for Lien Release
• Check image (seen on the Add-on service under Loan Payoff)

If needed, reference these documents by name during the call.

Helpful Tips & Common Scenarios

• Have the account number ready: Most banks require the account number of the loan that was paid off. You can find this on the Lien Release Letter or the Authorization for Lien Release.
• Have VIN, Year, Make, Model ready: Typically this is always requested. Most banks only need the last six of the VIN, some need eight, some want the entire VIN. This can be found in any document.
• Have the total payment sent to this bank ready: Some banks request you state the payment amount. You can find this in Add-on service > Loan Payoff > View check image
• Date of birth verification: Banks may ask for the borrower’s date of birth, which can be found on the Power of Attorney (POA).
• SSN requests: Some banks will ask for a Social Security Number. SSNs are not disclosed through our application. In most cases, these banks offer a secondary verification method—ask what other options are available.
• “We can’t share info without the seller”: This often happens when you reach a general customer service line. Explain that you are calling regarding a paid-off loan and ask to be transferred to the loan or lease department. They typically can provide the needed information.
• Automated phone systems with voice commands: If the system is not responding or you feel stuck, say “talk to a representative”. This usually routes you to a live person.
• Always aim for a live representative: Automated systems may confirm whether a loan is paid off, but they do not provide lien release or title status. Speaking with a representative is always required for title-related information.
• Confirm title delivery details: Ask which state the title is coming from and whether the bank has been instructed to mail the title to your address. While our instructions specify this it is always encouraged to double check they put the correct address.

Common Issues

• Automated system doesn’t give answers: This is expected—request a live representative, even if it is just with a general customer service representative.
• Bank says they can’t find the deal: Point them to the documents attached to the payoff check.
• Unclear timelines: Ask when the lien was processed and when release is typically issued.

Outcome

By following these steps, you should be able to confirm:

• Whether the lien has been released
• If the title is being mailed or sent electronically
• Any remaining timeline before the title is available

Outlier Registered States

• Florida (FL)
  • Banks have not been consistent on mailing the physical title out to dealerships if it is an ELT.
    • Wells Fargo has mailed out physical titles consistently from FL, but that is the only one we have consistently had success with.
• Ohio (OH)
  • Similar to Florida, the ELT's will not be physically mailed out, but this one has had more success than FL

Other ELT states have not had issues like the two above

• Non-title-holding States
  • View the list of states here: List of Non-title-holding States
  • You will want to either contact the seller to mail you the title (ideally that was figured out prior tot he deal closing) or you can use the lien release letter the bank mails out and our Montana Title service to get a Dealer Title Only created for you if the seller has lost it.