Financial Institution Listing FAQs

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What is the Financial Institution listing?

The Financial Institution Listing is an alphabetized listing of banks, credit unions and financial/lending institutions. It contains the latest address and telephone number information for each institution listed. The listing also contains merger and acquisition information for banks, credit unions and financial/lending institutions.

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What information do I need before contacting a financial institution?

You will need either the loan or account number, the social security number or name of the borrower, and the vehicle's make, model and vehicle identification number (VIN).

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How can the Financial Institution listing help me to locate the legal owner shown on my vehicle's record?

The listing will show the current status of a financial institution (legal owner). The listing may show the legal owner as merged with another financial institution, or show the financial institution as "Closed" or "No Information Available." If the listing indicates merged, closed or no information please see below.

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What if the listing shows the financial institution as "Closed" or "No Information Available?"

If the listing shows the financial institution as "Closed" or "No Information Available" you will need to:

  • Provide evidence of your attempt to obtain a release by sending a certified letter to the legal owner address shown on your vehicle registration.
  • Submit the returned certified letter, or the postal receipt after 30 days, to the DMV.
  • Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256). The REG 256 should include the license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, the value of the vehicle, and indicate that the legal owner is unavailable.
  • Include a Motor Vehicle Defective Bond purchased for the current retail value of the vehicle. The bond must be purchased from a business currently licensed to do business in California. Consult the Bonds Surety & Fidelity section of the phone book.
  • Keep a copy of all documents for your records.
  • You may submit the documents listed above either in person or by mail.

You can make an Appointment(s) at your local DMV or mail the completed forms to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
PO Box 942869 Mail Station D196
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

The DMV will contact you within 4-6 weeks.

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What if the legal owner is not shown on the Financial Institution listing?"

If the legal owner is not listed you must:

  • Provide evidence of your attempt to obtain a release by sending a certified letter to the legal owner address shown on your vehicle registration.
  • Submit the returned certified letter, or the postal receipt after 30 days, to the DMV.
  • Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256). The REG 256 should include the license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, and indicate that the legal owner is unavailable.
  • Keep a copy of all documents for your records.
  • You may submit the documents listed above either in person or by mail.

You can make an Appointment(s) at your local DMV or mail the completed forms to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
PO Box 942869 Mail Station D196
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

The DMV will contact you within 4-6 weeks.

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What if the listing shows the legal owner as merged with another financial institution?

Contact the financial institution listed using the telephone number provided, and request a notarized lien release.

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What if the financial institution has no record of the account?

Request a notarized statement on the financial institutions letterhead stating that they have no record, and that they have no interest in the vehicle. Back to Top of Page

What if the financial institution listed cannot issue a notarized lien release or a statement?

If the legal owner listed cannot issue a notarized lien release or a statement you must:

  • Provide evidence of your attempt to obtain a release by sending a certified letter to the legal owner address shown on your vehicle registration.
  • Submit the returned certified letter, or the postal receipt after 30 days, to the DMV.
  • Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256). The REG 256 should include the license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, and indicate that the legal owner listed on the financial institution list was unable to issue a notarized lien release or a statement.
  • Keep a copy of all documents for your records.
  • You may submit the documents listed above either in person or by mail.

You can make an Appointment(s) at your local DMV or mail the completed forms to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
PO Box 942869 Mail Station D196
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

The DMV will contact you within 4-6 weeks.

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What if the legal owner is an individual, dealer or private business?

If the legal owner is an individual, dealer or private business you must:

  • Send a certified letter addressed to the legal owner shown on your vehicle registration.
  • Submit the returned certified letter, or the postal receipt after 30 days, to the DMV.
  • Complete a Statement of Facts (REG 256). The REG 256 should include the license plate number, vehicle identification number (VIN), the year and make of the vehicle, and indicate that the legal owner is unavailable.
  • Attach a Motor Vehicle Defective Bond, purchased in the current retail value of the vehicle. The bond must be purchased from a business currently licensed to do business in California. Consult the Bonds-Surety & Fidelity section of the phone book.
  • Keep a copy of all documents for your records.
  • You may submit these documents either in person or by mail

You can make an Appointment(s) at your local DMV or mail the completed forms to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Registration Operations
PO Box 942869 Mail Station D196
Sacramento, California 94269-0001

The DMV will contact you within 4-6 weeks.

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