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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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

Yes. Same-day mobile notary service is available at Copart NV-57 Lamb Boulevard, Copart NV-133 Clayton Street, and IAA Las Vegas Hollywood Boulevard facilities with typical arrival times of forty-five to ninety minutes. On-site auction notarization prevents additional storage fees and load-out delays at facilities throughout Las Vegas and North Las Vegas.

Auction buyers coordinate mobile notary appointments during auction days, immediately after winning bids, or when retrieving vehicles from storage yards. Most Copart and IAA facilities require buyers to complete title documentation within three to five business days to avoid daily storage fees averaging forty to seventy-five dollars per vehicle.

⏱️ Same-Day Service Timeline:

• Book appointment via phone or online booking system during auction pickup hours
• Typical notary arrival: 45-90 minutes at Copart and IAA Las Vegas Valley facilities
• Document execution and notarization: 15-20 minutes for standard bills of sale and title transfers
• Immediate vehicle pickup authorization after notarization completion

💰 Storage Fee Prevention:

• Copart daily storage: $40-60 per vehicle depending on lot location
• IAA daily storage: $50-75 per vehicle after grace period expires
• Mobile notary service: $45-55 for immediate same-day completion
• Three-day storage delay cost: $120-225 total accumulated fees
• Net savings: $65-170 per vehicle by completing notarization immediately

Related Questions

• What documents need notarization at auctions?
• Do dealers need mobile notary at Manheim?
• How much does mobile notary cost in Las Vegas?

In Boca Park Fashion Village, we meet owners and co-signers at the office to reduce downtime and avoid repeat appointments. We align the certificate type with bank or counsel requirements, verify names match the note, and confirm any guarantor or agent authority before signatures. This cuts defects and keeps the agreement enforceable. Book loan document notarization. For entity authority or addenda, see business contract notarization and power of attorney. Copies for lenders can be issued via certified copy notarization.