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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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

Meeting borrower and lender in the Las Vegas Arts District keeps everyone on schedule and reduces errors. We verify government ID for all signers, use the correct Nevada certificate (acknowledgment or jurat), and confirm that the note clearly lists principal, interest, payment schedule, default terms, and remedies. For execution support, start with loan document notarization and business contract notarization. When a sworn statement is required or a limited agent needs to sign, see affidavit notarization and power of attorney. If copies are needed for banks or counsel, use certified copy notarization. For related verification tasks, see inspection types.

In a Nevada mortgage package, only some documents are notarized. The most common notarized document is the Deed of Trust, which secures the property as collateral. Other pages that often require notarization include specific affidavits (identity, occupancy, or name variations) and certain title or escrow affidavits when the closing instructions call for them. Many lender forms are executed without notarization and only need signatures or initials.

• Typically notarized: Deed of Trust, corrections/limited power of attorney when required by title, occupancy or identity affidavits, compliance or gap affidavits, and select title affidavits.
• Usually not notarized: Promissory Note, Closing Disclosure, initial escrow disclosures, privacy notices, and most lender specific acknowledgments that only require signatures or initials.
• Jurat vs acknowledgment: Affidavits and sworn statements use a jurat with an oath or affirmation. The Deed of Trust and similar instruments use an acknowledgment to confirm identity and voluntary execution.
• Non borrowing spouse: In community property scenarios, a non borrowing spouse may need to sign certain title documents. The specific pages and notarizations depend on title instructions and vesting.

Lake Mead Mobile Notary verifies identity, checks each certificate for Nevada compliance, and follows title and lender instructions so the package funds without delay. For help, book online or call (702) 748-7444.