When a vehicle is financed, the certificate of title is normally held by the lender, who must release it to the purchaser once the balance is paid off. If money is owed on the vehicle, the name of the lienholder or "legal owner" to whom this money is owed.The name and address of the purchaser or "registered owner" who would normally possess and use it.Technical information about the vehicle to define its taxation regime, e.g., its gross vehicle weight, motive power, and purchase price when new.Identifying information about the vehicle, normally at minimum its vehicle identification number, make, and year of manufacture.The certificate of title normally specifies (in most states & versions): Some states have different versions of the same title. make this mandatory for most parties when buying or selling a vehicle. For example, most states do not require a notary when filling out the title, while other states in the U.S.A. When filling out the title during a vehicle transaction, the rules in one state do not always apply to a different state. are commonly issued by the Secretary of State in the state the vehicle was purchased by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).Įach state in the US has its own distinct process for the Certificate of Title. In the United States, the certificate of title for a vehicle (also known as a car title, automobile title, or pink slip) is a legal form, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle.