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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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

Nevada DMV Form VP-136 remains valid until the specific transaction is completed or until the principal revokes the authorization in writing. There is no automatic expiration date, but most Nevada DMV offices recommend completing authorized transactions within 12 months of notarization to avoid questions about continuing validity. Professional VP-136 notarization ensures proper scope definition throughout Paradise and Las Vegas Valley.

Principals can revoke VP-136 authority at any time by providing written notice to the agent and Nevada DMV. For ongoing fleet management or business vehicle needs, principals may grant broad continuing authority, while one-time transactions like single vehicle sales typically use limited specific authority that terminates upon transaction completion.

⏱️ VP-136 Duration Considerations:

• No statutory expiration date under Nevada law
• Valid until transaction completed or principal revokes
• DMV clerks may question VP-136 older than 12 months
• Dealerships and title companies prefer fresh notarization per transaction
• Ongoing authority remains valid until formal revocation

📋 Best Practices for VP-136 Validity:

• One-time transactions: Obtain VP-136 notarization shortly before DMV visit
• Fleet management: Use continuing authority with clear scope definition
• Military deployment: Broad authority valid throughout deployment period
• Estate administration: Fresh VP-136 for each vehicle transfer recommended
• Out-of-state owners: Complete Nevada DMV transactions within 6-12 months

✅ Revocation Process:

• Principal provides written revocation notice to agent
• Principal notifies Nevada DMV of VP-136 revocation
• Agent must cease using revoked VP-136 immediately
• New VP-136 required for future transactions after revocation

Related Questions

• What are VP-136 notarization requirements?
• Can deployed military use VP-136?
• Do title transfers require notarization?