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 But what happens when the lienholder is a bank that merged, went out of business, or has an outdated address on the DMV record?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 Must use address from DMV registration records, even if you know it's outdated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, Lake Mead Mobile Notary serves all Boulder City neighborhoods including Eldorado Valley, Lakeview, and all remote or foothill properties within the 89005 and 89006 zip codes. We travel to residential areas throughout Boulder City's 208 square miles, including properties in outlying desert and mountain locations.

Eldorado Valley residents often appreciate mobile notary service because the drive into downtown Boulder City or to UPS Store locations adds 20-30 minutes each way to simple notarization tasks. We eliminate that drive by coming directly to your property, whether you need bill of sale notarizations for vehicle sales, estate planning documents like powers of attorney and living wills, real estate closing documents, or general affidavits and notarizations.

Lakeview neighborhood access is straightforward, and we're familiar with the area's layout near Lake Mead. For more remote Eldorado Valley properties, providing your address and any relevant access instructions (gate codes, directions from main roads, landmarks) helps us arrive efficiently at your scheduled appointment time.

Our base visit fee of $45 covers travel to any Boulder City location, including remote areas—no additional mileage charges or distance fees. Same-day appointments are available when our schedule permits. Book online at lakemeadmobilenotary.com/book or call (702) 748-7444 to schedule mobile notary service in Eldorado Valley, Lakeview, or any Boulder City neighborhood.

Your delivery includes time stamped photos with preserved EXIF metadata, ordered file names that match the visit sequence, and a secure link to a structured folder. We include a brief status note and, when applicable, a posting photo and the community or building rules you provided. Exterior frames come from Exterior Only Property Inspection, interiors from Interior and Exterior Property Inspection, and presence checks from Occupancy Verification. This audit trail helps owner relations, leasing, underwriting, and REO teams file results quickly in Anthem Heights, Whitney Ranch, MacDonald Ranch, The Lakes, Peccole Ranch, Lone Mountain, Craig Ranch Park Area, and Tule Springs.