motor vehicle title hold? (loan, DMV, property taxes)

[mominbristow]

Not sure if anyone can help me, but hoping someone can. Just went to try to sell my used car and, when dealer ran title check, it came back with a hold. THere's no lien on the title, loan has been paid off for several years now, personal property taxes all paid, no known speed or red light camera violations, and when I did my own title check on DMV website, nothing came up. I plan on going to DMV first thing Monday morning, but just wondering if anyone has any idea of what other things could put a hold on a title -- particularly things that wouldn't show up when I run my own check on DMV's website. Thanks in advance...

[North Beach Person]

Unpaid tickets of some type or, in VA, car tax would be two things.

[car54]

They do not put holds on titles for tickets or taxes, etc. (they will put a stop on the registration for unpaid local taxes though)

The most common reason titles are held is for out-of-state titles. Very often, when one moves to VA and registers their car in VA, they are unable to surrender their out-of-state title because the car isn't paid off yet. So VA DMV issues a registration only and puts a hold on the VA title pending the surrender of the out-of-state title. (otherwise, you could have two titles to the same car)

They used to put a note on the registration card stating the reason title is held...not sure if they still do that, but I'd take a look at the reg. Or look to see if you have an out-of-state title in your possession, if so...that's the reason.

PS: when a title is held it does not physically exist yet...when one satisfies the requirements for issuance, that's when the actual paper title is produced.

[mominbristow]

Thanks Car54 and North Beach. Sorry, my terminology may be off. It may indeed be a registration stop and not a title hold. Car has a valid and clear VA title (which I have in my possession) with no lien (and stated as such in the online records when I reviewed).

I was late with my personal property taxes last year so think maybe that's the case. Although they were paid in full (along with the late fee) last December. Just got my new tax bill showing no outstanding balances, but wondering if DMV never got the message (we all know how efficient they are, after all )

[Grsz11]

Hey Car54, do you know if and how I can obtain a VA title if the out of state one has a co-owner (X and Y) and the other person isn't going to be on the VA title?

[car54]

Originally Posted by Grsz11

Hey Car54, do you know if and how I can obtain a VA title if the out of state one has a co-owner (X and Y) and the other person isn't going to be on the VA title?

The co-owner has to sign the car over to you. They sign the title where it says "signature of seller".

If the car is already registered in VA in both names, they will probably issue the VA title in both names. Then, to drop the co-owner, you would have him/her sign the VA title over to you (in Section A, "signature of seller").