After you pay off your car loan, you’ll want to obtain a clear title (one without the lien listed) in your name. The Ohio car lien release process ensures that the lienholder’s claim is removed and you become the sole owner on the title. Here’s what typically happens:

  • Lien Release from Lender: Once you make the final payment on your auto loan, your lender (bank or finance company) will issue a lien release. In modern practice, if your title was held electronically, the lender will update the Ohio BMV’s system electronically to show the lien as satisfied. If a paper title was being held by the lender, they may mail you the paper title with a stamped or signed lien release on it, or they might send you a separate lien release letter.
  • Obtain a New Title: To get a new title that no longer shows the lien, you will take proof of the lien release to your local title office. If you have the paper title that was returned to you with a lien release stamp/signature, you’ll bring that. If the title was electronic, you should receive a lien release letter or notification – with that, the title office can pull up your electronic title record. You will fill out a short form to apply for a title (essentially requesting a title reissue without the lien).
  • Fees: You’ll pay a title issuance fee (similar to the original title fee, about $15). This is for the BMV to print a new title. If your lender sent the lien release electronically, sometimes the BMV might automatically mail you the new title once the lien is released, but often you need to initiate the title issuance. It’s always a good idea to check with the title office rather than assuming it will come automatically.
  • New Title Issued: The Clerk of Courts Title Office will then issue you a fresh Ohio title in your name with no lien listed. This is your “clear” title, showing you as the sole owner. You can pick it up at the office or, in some cases, have it mailed to you. At this point, you should keep this title in a safe place; it’s the document that proves you own the vehicle free and clear.

If you encounter any issues – for example, if you never received a lien release document, or the lender has closed down or did not properly update the BMV – you might need assistance. EZ Ohio Title offers an Ohio lien title retrieval service to help in such situations. We can assist in tracking down lien releases or navigating BMV procedures to get your lien cleared and your title issued. The bottom line is that after paying off your loan, you’ll go through a small process to update the title, and then you’ll have full ownership documented in your name.