Yes. Nevada law (NRS 108.270) requires you to send certified mail, return receipt requested, to both the registered owner AND all lienholders shown on the DMV title record. Missing either notification invalidates your entire VP-147 lien sale process, even if you properly notified the owner. This is the number one reason auction houses reject VP-147 submissions from tow operators.

The confusion is understandable. A former tow operator explains on automotive forums: "Tow company has to send 3 certified letters to both the titled owner and the lien holder over about 6 week period before they can lien sale the vehicle." But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?

📋 Nevada's Dual Notification Requirement Explained:

• Registered owner notification: Required because they own the vehicle subject to the lien. Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated
• Lienholder notification: Required because they have a secured interest in the vehicle. The lender loaned money against the vehicle and has first rights to any sale proceeds
• Multiple lienholders: If DMV records show two lienholders (first lien and second lien), you must notify both separately
• Timing: Send both certified letters on the same day; the 30-day waiting period runs from the date of mailing

⚠️ What If You Can't Find Current Lienholder Information? If the lienholder on DMV records is a bank that no longer exists (merged, acquired, or failed), you have several options:

• Research the successor bank: Wells Fargo acquired Wachovia, Chase acquired WaMu, etc. Send certified mail to the current entity at their registered agent address
• Contact Nevada DMV Title Research: They can sometimes provide updated lienholder contact information for lien sale purposes ($15 title search fee)
• Document your good-faith effort: Keep records of your research attempts (internet searches, phone calls to bank customer service, successor bank inquiries). If certified mail returns undeliverable, this documentation supports your VP-147
• Consider legal consultation: For high-value vehicles or complex lien situations, consult an attorney before proceeding with lien sale. Wrongful sale to a vehicle with valid lien = potential lawsuit

💡 The Most Common Mistake: Tow operators send certified mail only to the registered owner, assuming the bank "knows" the vehicle was towed because the owner stopped making payments. Wrong. The lienholder must receive independent notification of the impending lien sale. Without proof of certified mail to the lienholder (green return receipt or returned undeliverable envelope), your notarized VP-147 affidavit will be rejected by Pahrump auctions, Copart, IAA, and DMV during title transfer processing.

🏢 We provide on-site VP-147 notarization at tow yards throughout Aliante, North Las Vegas, and Clark County. During your notarization appointment, we can review your certified mail documentation to ensure both owner and lienholder notifications are properly documented before you sign the affidavit under oath.

Related Questions

• What if certified mail comes back undeliverable or refused? Can I still do lien sale?
• After lien sale, do I owe the owner or bank any excess money from the auction?
• Who at my tow company can sign VP-147? Manager or owner only?

Title companies utilizing professional notary coordination services achieve an average ROI of 340% through reduced operational costs, prevented legal disputes, and enhanced client satisfaction ratings. Professional loan coordination eliminates the $3,200 average cost of post-closing corrections while maintaining 98% documentation accuracy rates across all Nevada real estate transactions.

Las Vegas title companies report 65% reduction in client complaints and 45% improvement in closing timeline consistency when utilizing professional coordination services. The average title company processes 150 closings monthly, saving approximately $4,800 per month through eliminated correction costs, reduced staff overtime, and prevented legal disputes. Annual savings typically range from $45,000 to $67,000 per title office.

Henderson Executive Airport area commercial transactions benefit from specialized coordination that understands complex partnership agreements, multi-unit property regulations, and investment tax implications. Business verification services ensure proper entity documentation and regulatory compliance for commercial real estate transactions exceeding $2 million.

Contact the tow yard facility, verify vehicle location and required documentation, obtain notarized non-owner authorization if needed, pay all towing and storage fees, and retrieve your vehicle. Mobile notary service provides on-site coordination at all Clark County tow yards, eliminating 3-4 hours of travel time and preventing $80-150 daily storage fee accumulation throughout Henderson and Las Vegas Valley.

Registered owners present valid government photo ID matching vehicle registration. Non-owners need notarized authorization letters or Nevada DMV Form VP-136 power of attorney from the registered owner. Search AutoReturn website for LVMPD-contracted tow yards, or contact facilities directly with your license plate or VIN.

📋 Required Documents:

• Valid government-issued photo ID (Nevada license, passport, state ID, military ID)
• Vehicle registration or insurance card showing ownership
• Notarized authorization letter or VP-136 (if non-owner retrieval)
• Payment method for towing and storage fees (credit card, cash, or check per facility policy)
• Tow yard case or reference number

⏱️ Mobile Notary Process:

• Book appointment for tow yard office or parking area
• Typical arrival time: 30-60 minutes for same-day requests
• Notary executes authorization documents on-site
• Submit notarized documents to facility immediately
• Complete payment and retrieve vehicle same visit

Related Questions

• What are VP-136 power of attorney notarization requirements?
• Can I get documents notarized at tow yards?
• How much does tow yard mobile notary service cost?

When parties live in different states, notarization coordination requires careful planning. Remote Online Notarization (RON) is the most practical solution and is legally recognized in both Nevada and California, allowing signers to appear before a commissioned notary via secure video technology regardless of location. Both parties can sign and notarize simultaneously or separately.

Three Primary Methods:

Method 1: Remote Online Notarization (RON) — Fastest & Most Flexible

• Both parties sign and notarize via video conference with a commissioned online notary
• Complies with Nevada and California eNotary requirements
• Same-day or next-day scheduling available
• Platform handles identity verification, recording, and digital signature

Method 2: Separate State Notarizations — Traditional But Complex

• Each party uses a local notary in their state (California or Nevada)
• Both states must recognize the other's notarization (reciprocity applies)
• Documents may require apostille certification for cross-state validity
• Requires coordination and potential delays

Method 3: Travel Notarization — Premium Option

• Mobile notary travels to one party's location for in-person signing
• Practical only for high-value contracts or if timing aligns
• Provides highest certainty of legal enforceability

🌐 Best Practice for Vegas-California Contracts:

Remote online notarization services or same-day mobile notaries in Las Vegas and Eastside Las Vegas eliminate state complications. Communicate with both venues to confirm RON or dual-state notarization acceptance before signing.

Related Questions

• Can Vendors Get Event Contracts Notarized After Signing if They Forgot Originally?
• How Do You Close Real Estate When Buyer Is Out of State and Can't Attend Closing in Person?
• What If Event Venue Refuses Notarized Contracts from Outside Notaries?

Yes, Lake Mead Mobile Notary provides professional witness services for trust signings throughout Lake Las Vegas when requested in advance. Nevada law requires "disinterested witnesses" for certain trust types—witnesses who are not beneficiaries, not related to the grantor, and have no financial interest in the trust assets. Our professional witnesses meet all Nevada legal requirements and can testify in court if needed years later during estate administration.

Witness services are particularly important for Lake Las Vegas residents establishing irrevocable trusts, testamentary trusts, or special needs trusts where Nevada law mandates witness signatures in addition to notarization. We bring qualified witnesses to your residence, Westin suite, Hilton room, or MonteLago office for discrete, professional service.

Common challenge: High-net-worth families often cannot use family members (who are beneficiaries), household staff (potential conflict of interest), or neighbors (may not be immediately available) as witnesses. Professional witness services solve this problem by providing legally qualified, disinterested witnesses who maintain proper records and understand their responsibilities.

Witness service pricing: $25-50 per witness depending on document complexity. Most trusts requiring witnesses need two witnesses. Inform us when booking if witness services are needed so we coordinate schedules. Your estate planning attorney will specify whether your trust requires witnesses—we execute according to their instructions.