RECORDING OR RELEASING A LIEN
Recording a Lien
Alaska law permits the recording of the primary lienholder's name on the title. Secondary lienholders may record their liens in a district recorder's office in their area of residence. This type of filing is called a Uniform Commercial Code or UCC filing.
The following items are required to record a lien:
- Application for Title & Registration (Completed in full, signed, and dated. Must include the lienholder's name and address.)
- Original title or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin.
- $15.00 lien recording fee + $15.00 title fee ($100.00 for manufactured homes).
- Additional fees and registration requirements, as applicable
- The registered owner of the vehicle must sign the application before it will be accepted. A Power of Attorney is acceptable for someone other than the registered owner signing the application and title.
A title with a recorded lien will automatically be mailed to the lienholder.
Releasing a Lien
When you make the final payment on your vehicle, the lienholder will release their interest in the vehicle and give the original title to you. Once you receive the title, you would need to apply for a "clear" title with the Division of Motor Vehicles.
In order to obtain a new title, you will need the following items:
- Original title with a lien release. The lien release can be either:
- by the signature of the lienholder on the front of the title, OR
- a separate letter from the lienholder releasing their interest.
- note: the lien release must have a date, signature and title of the person releasing the lien. A "PAID" stamp is not an acceptable lien release.
- Application for Title & Registration
- Fees of $15.00
If you lose your title, you must obtain a lien release from the financial institution prior to obtaining a clear title.