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Car titles can be complicated by many factors. The regulations are strict. We are experts at sorting out various problems with vehicle titles and helping you get the money you need.

It is always good if you have the original Certificate of Title issued by the state and all information is up to date.

If you do not have the title, it could be because you are not the legal owner – that is, you still owe money to another lender.

There are other reasons, too. Just contact us and we’ll walk you through what to do.

A vehicle “title” (also known as a “Certificate of Title”) establishes the registered owner and legal owner within a state (e.g. California.) The vehicle title informs state administrators (California Department of Motor Vehicles) who owns the vehicle & who is responsible for the vehicle, among other information. Here is more information about vehicle titles:

A car title loan is a loan against the value of a vehicle. The loan funds are used for household or personal expenses and not for commercial purposes. If you own a vehicle and do not owe money on the vehicle, or if the amount you owe is less than the value of the vehicle, you may be able to get a car title loan. In exchange for a loan, a lender will collect the title and place a “lien” against the title of the vehicle.

You need the “paper title” in most but not all cases. Before a lender will loan money, the lender will check the title status with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (California DMV) to see whether there is an existing claim (lienholder) on the vehicle title.

Generally, the registered owner must have “clear title” to obtain a car title loan. Clear title means there are no claims on the title. If the registered owner has clear title, the paper title should be in the possession of the registered owner. If money is owed to a lender, the lender has possession of the vehicle title. The lender may have a paper title, or the lender may hold the title electronically. Before a lender will loan money, the lender will check the title status with the California DMV.

If the car title is lost, you may apply for a duplicate title with the California DMV.

The registered owner is the person who purchased, possesses, and operates the vehicle. The registered owner is the primary party responsible for the vehicle. For example, a registered owner must have state mandated auto insurance, pay registration fees & taxes, pay parking tickets, etc. A legal owner is only listed if there is a claim against the vehicle (such as a loan.) Both the registered owner & the legal owner have rights & responsibilities with respect to the vehicle.

Generally, clear title means there are no claims against the property either by lien or levy. If there is no claim against the vehicle, then the registered owner is also the legal owner and has clear title to the vehicle.

According to Investopedia: "A clear title is a title without any kind of lien or levy from creditors or other parties and poses no question as to legal ownership. For example, an owner of a car with a clear title is the sole undisputed owner, and no other party can make any kind of legal claim to its ownership."

A lien or levy is a legal claim against property such as a vehicle. Before money is loaned, a lender will check to see if there is a lien or levy against the vehicle. The lien or levy must be paid (or satisfied) before a lender will loan money. In some cases, a lender will pay off an existing loan to refinance the car title loan for the customer.

Yes. A car title lender will loan money in exchange for placing a lien against the title of your vehicle. Once a lien is placed on the title, the lender becomes the legal owner until the loan is repaid. The lender has certain rights regarding the vehicle but may not exercise those rights so long as the registered owner abides by the loan agreement.

Yes. While the lien is in place, the registered owner may continue to drive the vehicle. The borrower remains the registered owner of the vehicle. The lien against the vehicle title only serves as “collateral” for the loan.

Collateral is the underlying “security” for the lender that ensures the borrower abides by the loan agreement. A collateralized loan is also known as a “secured loan.”

A secured loan is a loan where property is pledged to a lender to ensure the registered owner abides by the loan agreement. A registered owner’s rights to the vehicle are limited under a secured loan by the terms of the agreement. A registered owner may still operate the vehicle; however, the vehicle may not be sold to a third party without paying off the lender first. Another example might be that the vehicle may not be taken outside the United States without written consent of the lender. Once the loan is repaid and the lien is removed, the registered owner again has clear title to the vehicle. At that point, a registered owner may sell the vehicle, obtain another loan, and / or merely operate the vehicle as he or she (legally) wishes.

Once a loan is repaid, the lender will remove the lien against the title through a lien release. The California Department of Motor Vehicles (California DMV) will send the registered owner an updated title which shows there is no claim against the vehicle and therefore no other legal owner. When no legal owner is listed, it means the registered owner is also the legal owner and has clear title.

A lien release is a documented process whereby a creditor releases their claim against property (in this case a vehicle.) Once a lien is released, a registered owner becomes legal owner and has clear title.

In California, the Department of Motor Vehicles (California DMV) is responsible for administration of the California Vehicle Code (“CVC”) which are the laws and rules governing the operation, ownership & registration of vehicles) passed by the California legislature.

You may contact the California DMV here:

You may make an appointment here:

Every vehicle in California must be “titled.” Vehicles include cars, trucks, buses, vans, RV’s, motorcycles, RV’s, and certain other types of transport.

For vehicles sold by a dealership, the dealership prepares and submits the necessary paperwork to the California DMV within 30 days of sale date.

Anytime either the registered owner or legal owner changes, a title transfer form must be completed. Examples are private sales, adding or deleting a spouse or partner as registered owner, vehicles brought into the state by someone establishing residence in California, whenever a lienholder is added, whenever a lien is released, etc.

Generally, a registered owner or legal owner is responsible, depending on the type of transaction. For private sales of used vehicles, a vehicle transfer must be completed by the buyer (or new registered owner) with a signature from the seller. For vehicles brought into California by a person establishing residence in the state, it is the responsibility of the registered owner to complete the transfer within 30 days of establishing residence. If a loan is taken out on the vehicle, the registered owner and lienholder are jointly responsible. If a lien exists on a vehicle, it is the responsibility of the legal owner (lienholder) once a loan is paid off.

If you are a buyer and transferring a title into your name, you can find more information about title transfers here:

Here is additional information about other types of title transfers (for example adding a lienholder): Click here

You may change your address by completing this Change of Address form and submitting to the California DMV. You may find additional information here at the CaliforniaDMV website here:

Blue Coast Financial Services Inc. (dba GetABetterTitleLoan.com) is a licensed broker & lender. Our licensed was issued by the California Department of Business Oversight. You may search for our license in California by entering our license number “60DBO-74450” on the following : page here

Car title loans from LA County Consumer Affairs

Yes. We offer car title loans online to residents of California.

Yes, provided your vehicle has sufficient value above the amount you owe, provided your current loan is not in default, and provided you meet normal underwriting guidelines.

We can usually provide an estimate of savings here:

Enter your original loan amount, your monthly payment, and the term in number of months.

Yes.

1. Contact Us by filling out the form on this page or calling 833-466-3498;

2. Complete an application & submit your paperwork;

3. Collect your cash.

Avoid lenders that claim you can get instant loan approval with bad credit. A reputable lender will avoid making promises that are too good to be true or unrealistic. Believe me, you will pay the price for instant approval. We offer fast, efficient service. We want our customers to get the best loan possible given their situation.

The average application takes 20-30 minutes.

The average applicant takes 45-60 minutes to submit documentation.

The average time for underwriting approval takes 60 minutes.

It depends on the value of your vehicle, your ability to repay the loan, and any history you may have repaying similar loans. We loan from $2,600 up to $20,000.

You can check here.

You can get an estimated value here:

We are in the business of loaning money to people with bad credit. We will not run your credit without your permission.

If your credit is good, you will get the benefit through a lower interest rate and lower payments.

We will provide you a list which includes:

1. Application -- which can be taken over the telephone;

2. 6 photos of your vehicle;

3. A copy of your California Driver’s License;

4. A copy of proof of insurance;

5. A copy of your vehicle title (if you have the title;)

6. A copy of a utility bill with your residence address;

7. A copy of two most recent pay stubs;

8. A copy of two most recent bank statements (three if you are self-employed;

9. Four references (name, telephone, email, relationship.)

The documents may be scanned or emailed to docs@bluecoastfinancialservices.com

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The information presented on this page generally describes important terms, governmental agents, private third-parties, and other relevant links and information about titles, title loans, car title lending and about our business practices. The information is not intended as legal or regulatory advice. Nor is the information complete in all respects. The authors of the website assume no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this site. The information contained herein is provided on an “as is” basis with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness.