Where’s my title to my car? What happens if the dealer doesn’t send my title?

If you are purchasing a new vehicle from a dealership and you paid for the vehicle in full, the dealership will have to send the vehicle's MSO (Manufacturer's Statement of Origin) to the DMV along with supporting documentation - so that the DMV can issue you a title for your vehicle. It typically takes less than 30 days for this process and if there is any delay you should be contacting the dealer.

If you are purchasing a used vehicle from a dealership, the dealer must pay off any outstanding liens and then transfer ownership of the title to you provided you paid in full for the vehicle.  In the majority of States, the lienholder (in most cases a Finance Company) holds the title, so the dealership will be paying off any lien from the person they bought the vehicle from; the lienholder with then send a Lien Release along with the title back to the dealer so they can process the paperwork with the DMV.  If your registration is delayed more than 30 days - there is typically a problem with the title on the dealer's side. Most States allow a specific period of time for a dealer to transfer ownership, e.g. 30 days. If they cannot transfer ownership - you should immediately return the vehicle and ask for your money back.

If you are purchasing a vehicle from a private party, you will have to act like the dealer in the above scenario and either have the seller satisfy the lien and then deliver the title to you with a lien release, or you can make payment to the lienholder and direct them to send the title and lien release to you. 

In some States (Kentucky, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Oklahoma, South Dakota, and Wisconsin) the owner of the vehicle keeps the title even if there is a lien on it. Beware of any "Duplicate" titles or additional liens. You should always check with the DMV to ensure that no additional liens or transfers of the title have been made. I have experienced situations where a consumer sold a vehicle that had second and third liens from Child Support payments and unpaid judgments.

So a word to the wise, if you are purchasing a vehicle from a private party, my personal advice is to complete the transaction at the DMV. You pay them in full and they transfer title. This way the deal is completed and no one is surprised later.