If the lienholder signed off on a CA vehicle certificate of title 20+ years ago but can't be found to sign off on new form (REG 166), can we sell?

[DBinSV]

The State of California Certificate of Title for a car we own (a 1994 Accord) shows a lien with the signature of the lienholder in the release section. It was signed more than 20 years ago. I just kept it in a safe place, thinking that when the time came that we want to sell, we would have everything we need. We received an offer (of $1,500) from the local Air District for their Vehicle Buy Back Program. The salvage company we contacted told us that the signed Certificate was not good enough. We would need to get a clear title document from the DMV. When I look on the DMV website, it seems that we would need to have a separate form (REG 166) completed, requiring notarization of the former lienholder's signature. We lost contact with the lienholder many years ago, however (it was a private party, not a financial institution). We haven't been able to track him down (he was kind of a drifter). It's possible that he may be deceased. Do we have any recourse?

 

[zddoodah]

Go to the DMV with all of your documentation and ask.

 

[adjusterjack]

it seems that we would need to have a separate form (REG 166) completed, requiring notarization of the former lienholder's signature.

If that's not doable you may have to post a bond to get clear title.

See statute:

California Vehicle Code § 4157 (2023) :: 2023 California Code :: US Codes and Statutes :: US Law :: Justia

Ask about it when you are at the DMV.