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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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

Bills of sale, vehicle title transfers, Nevada DMV Form VP-136 power of attorney, and VP-221 secure power of attorney require notarization at Las Vegas auto auctions including IAA, Copart, and Manheim facilities. Mobile notary service provides same-day on-site coordination at auction facilities throughout North Las Vegas and Henderson, eliminating delays and additional storage fees.

Auction buyers purchasing vehicles at IAA Hollywood Boulevard, Copart NV-57 Lamb Boulevard, Copart NV-133 Clayton Street, and Manheim Nevada Gowan Road locations frequently need notarized documentation to complete purchases and arrange transport. Most auction facilities require buyers to complete title work within three to five business days to avoid storage fees averaging forty to seventy-five dollars per day.

📋 Common Auction Documents Requiring Notarization:

• Bill of Sale for auction purchase transactions and out-of-state buyer requirements
• Nevada title transfers when seller signature requires notarial acknowledgment
• VP-136 Power of Attorney authorizing agents to retrieve vehicles and sign DMV documents
• VP-221 Secure Power of Attorney for dealer title work when original title unavailable
• Odometer disclosure affidavits for late-model vehicle purchases
• Corporate resolutions authorizing company representatives to purchase auction vehicles

🚗 Facility-Specific Notarization Needs:

• IAA Las Vegas primarily processes insurance total loss vehicles requiring bills of sale and VP-136 forms
• Copart facilities serve salvage and repairable vehicle buyers needing title transfers and secure POA VP-221
• Manheim Nevada dealer-only auctions require corporate resolutions and dealer authorization documents

Related Questions

• Can I get same-day notary at Copart and IAA?
• Do dealers need mobile notary at Manheim?
• What are VP-136 notarization requirements?