Car without a title (vehicle, sell, driver, costs)

[Vicssecre99ster]

Hello,

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL!!

I bought a car from an individual several years ago in New York. When the car got registered there was a title. I moved from NY to NEW JERSEY and when I went to get it registered I was told there was a lien on it and that I would not be able to have the title back. When I asked what to do next they told me that the seller has to contact the lien holder. I reached out to the friend who I went through in purchasing the car about this and they couldn't help me. As far as they knew there were no liens. So I've been stuck with it for awhile now. I would like to sell or give the car as a gift to my niece but need the title I order to do so.

What can I do? Is there anything I can do to get this?
I have no paperwork on this other than I think I still have the copy of the cashiers check I paid for the car. Nothing binding me and the seller or any contracts because it was understood there was nothing on the car. Accidents or anything like that.

Can someone please direct me in what I can do if anything at all? Much appreciated.

Vicky

[Me007gold]

Do a title search, find out who the lien holder is and pay it off.

[Vicssecre99ster]

Thank you. Do I do a search via the VIN#?

Vicky

[Rynldsbr]

From State of NJ website: State of New Jersey - Motor Vehicle Commission

To request a lien search:
A lien search will produce current lienholder and owner information listed in the MVC database. To request a lien search:
Complete the Request for Lien Search (Form DO-22) and include the year, make, VIN, and detailed reason you are making the request
Submit a photocopy of your driver license
Submit $15 check or money order made payable to: NJMVC
Mail required documents to:
NJ Motor Vehicle Commission
Certified Information Unit
225 E. State Street
PO Box 146
Trenton, NJ08666-0146
Note: Both pages 1 and 2 must be completed and submitted for your request to be considered. You may either print the form on both sides of a single sheet or print and attach the two separate sheets.

A separate request is required for each vehicle.

[Vicssecre99ster]

Oh thank you thank you. This is definitely a step in the right direction. You have been very helpful. Thank you. I will do that for sure

[Electrician4you]

You should ask for a release of lien from the lienholder. It's most likely a clerical mistake because if a lienholder had a lien and did not get payment for 5 years it would be repo'ed.

[captne76]

If the car is old enough, I think more than 15 years old you could legally register it in a handful of states. Vermont is one state. You might have to do a physical VIN inspection which I think any local cop does (up there?). Then you could legally reg it in VT I think even with a NJ address. Then you could move it back to NJ legally. that is another way to do it.
Theres also an online agency that does it through Maine but it costs a few hundred or more, I seem to remember about $850 for them to do the paperwork, but if you do it yourself legally youre good.