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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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

It depends on your specific bank's policy. Some banks require their in-house or affiliated notary to notarize signature cards for security and documentation purposes. Other banks accept notarizations from independent or mobile notaries as long as they're commissioned in Nevada and meet state requirements. The policy varies by institution and sometimes by branch, so always confirm with your bank's signature services or compliance department before using an outside notary.

Why Banks Restrict Signature Card Notarization:

Signature cards are foundational documents for account security. Banks want control over the notarization process to ensure standardized procedures, proper identity verification, and coordination with their compliance systems. If their in-house notary is only available limited hours (e.g., Tuesdays), they may create customer access problems—but this is a bank operations issue, not a legal one.

🔐 What You Can Do:

• Ask your bank's main office if they accept outside Nevada notaries
• Request written approval of a specific mobile notary before scheduling
• Ask if exceptions are granted for scheduling hardships (out-of-state residents, shift work, etc.)
• Negotiate: if the bank's notary isn't available for weeks, request temporary acceptance of outside notarization
• Escalate to branch management if denied without policy documentation

🚀 Workaround:

If your bank refuses outside notaries and their notary has limited availability, mobile notaries in Lake Mead Health Rehab and Rancho Bel Air areas can coordinate with bank staff or provide documentation that meets Nevada requirements. Some banks will reconsider when faced with professional credentials and proper notarial certificates.

Related Questions

• What If You Need Notarization for a Corporate Resolution After Bank Hours?
• Can You Use a Bank Notary for Non-Bank Documents if You're Not a Customer?
• Why Do Banks Refuse to Notarize Documents They Prepared?

No. The Nevada DMV Financial Responsibility Unit does not accept digital, scanned, or emailed DLD-68 affidavits. You must sign the form with wet-ink in front of a Nevada notary public, then mail or hand-deliver the original notarized document to DMV in Carson City. Remote online notarization (RON) is not accepted for DLD-68 forms in 2025.

Reddit threads frequently show drivers frustrated by this requirement, especially those trying to meet tight suspension deadlines. Nevada statutes mandate physical notarial certificates with raised seals for all DMV affidavits. Digital signatures, PDF submissions, and faxed copies are rejected outright. This is why same-day mobile notary service has become the standard solution for DLD-68 filers facing time-sensitive license suspension warnings.

📬 Accepted Submission Methods:

• U.S. Mail (certified recommended): Mail notarized original to DMV Financial Responsibility Unit, 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711
• In-Person Delivery: Hand-deliver to any Nevada DMV office; staff will forward to Financial Responsibility Unit
• Courier Service: FedEx, UPS, or other trackable delivery (keep proof of mailing)

⚠️ Suspension Timeline: Most drivers receive suspension warning letters with 10-15 business days to respond. Mobile notaries serving Boulder City, Las Vegas, Henderson, and North Las Vegas ensure your DLD-68 is properly notarized and mailed before the deadline, with notary-sealed customer copies for your records.

Related Questions

• What's the difference between a police crash report and the DMV's DLD-68 affidavit?
• How long does DMV processing take after I file my DLD-68?
• What notary seal requirements does Nevada DMV have?