Questions & Answers
Here are some common questions & answers. Also, don't forget to read our Terms & Conditions.
What is a lienholder?
What is a lien?
What is a lien sale?
What is a lien sale packet?
What happens if vehicle (or vessel) is sold for more than the amount of the lien?
What information is needed to order a lien sale?
How long does it take to complete a lien sale?
Can I do a lien sale on a vehicle (or vessel) that I acquired but don't have the ownership documents?
Can I do a lien sale on a vehicle (or vessel) that is parked on the street or on public property?
Can the vehicle (or vessel) be moved to another location after I start the lien sale process?
Are past due registration fees waived by the California DMV when a vehicle (or vessel) is bought at a lien sale?
Do you offer legal advice?
A lienholder is the person, or business entity, that has an interest in the vehicle (or vessel) due to unpaid repair, towing, and/or storage fees.
What is a lien?
A lien is a legal claim, or right, that the lienholder has over a vehicle (or vessel) to ensure the payment of a debt -- such as unpaid repair, towing, and/or storage fees.
What is a lien sale?
A lien sale allows the lienholder to legally sell, or take ownership, of a vehicle (or vessel) in their possession to recover money owed for repairs, towing, and/or storage.
What is a lien sale packet?
The lien sale packet is a set of legal documents (showing that all steps necessary to conduct a lien sale have been fulfilled and the California DMV has approved the lien), which allows for the sale and/or registration of the vehicle (or vessel).
What happens if vehicle (or vessel) is sold for more than the amount of the lien?
Any excess amount received must be submitted to the California DMV within 15 days of the lien sale, along with a completed copy of the Certification of Lien Sale form (which you will receive in the lien sale packet).
What information is needed to order a lien sale?
Please refer to our Online Lien Order Forms. They have a complete listing of all the information you will need to provide to order a lien sale.
How long does it take to complete a lien sale?
For vehicles valued under $4000, it takes about 35 days to complete a lien sale.
For vehicles or vessels valued over $4000, it takes about 90 to 120 days to complete a lien sale.
* Please note that these estimates are contingent upon the California DMV processing times.
Can I do a lien sale on a vehicle (or vessel) that I acquired but don't have the ownership documents?
NO. If you do not have the ownership documents -- such as a California title, salvage certificate, out-of-state title, etc. -- for the vehicle (or vessel), you cannot do a lien sale.
Can I do a lien sale on a vehicle (or vessel) that is parked on the street or on public property?
NO, you must have physical possession of the vehicle or vessel at your property (your place of business) in order to be eligible to do a lien sale. Also note that you cannot do a lien sale of a vehicle (or vessel) that is located on private property.
Can the vehicle (or vessel) be moved to another location after I start the lien sale process?
NO. After the lien sale process has been started, if you move the vehicle (or vessel) to another location, that will invalidate the lien sale. The vehicle cannot be moved in any way whatsoever until the lien sale has been completed.
Are past due registration fees waived by the California DMV when a vehicle (or vessel) is bought at a lien sale?
NO, the California DMV does not automatically waive past due registration fees when a vehicle (or vessel) is purchased at a lien sale.
Do you offer legal advice?
JOMICK LIEN SALES DOES NOT, AND CANNOT, PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE IN ANY WAY.