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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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?

HELOC and refinance packages share many core forms, yet they differ in the number of pages, notarized documents, and post-signing requirements. A refinance commonly includes a Deed of Trust that must be notarized, plus lender and title affidavits that may require jurats. A HELOC often has fewer notarized pages but can include bank-specific riders and disclosures that require initials throughout the set.

• ID and name matching: Both package types require valid government issued ID that matches vesting. Some lenders request two forms of ID for HELOCs. We follow the assignment directions precisely.
• Notarized pages: Refinance sets almost always include a notarized Deed of Trust. HELOC sets may include a Deed of Trust or a similar security instrument depending on the lender. Affidavits that require a jurat appear in both package types when instructed by escrow.
• Right to Cancel: Both often include Notice of Right to Cancel for each borrower where applicable. The number of copies and initials are controlled by lender instructions.
• Scan backs and drop: HELOC assignments frequently request same-day scan backs before drop. Refinance files may require partial or full scan backs. We provide clean scans and carrier drop with tracking.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary guides the table, checks signature and initial blocks, and returns the file according to title requirements. Schedule a Downtown Summerlin appointment that fits your workday. Book online or call (702) 748-7444.