On July 1, 2012, Wisconsin will become an electronic title
state. When a lien is listed against a vehicle, Wisconsin will not be
issuing a paper title to the lender/financial institution or owner of
the vehicle until the lien is satisfied.
WisDOT is currently developing methods for the delivery of titles
electronically. Please check back within the coming months or sign up
for our lender mailing list for continuing updates.
Wisconsin liens required to be processed electronically
Non-individual lien holders are required to electronically
process lien add and lien release transactions for Wisconsin
customers effective July 1, 2010. Some transactions will be exempted
by departmental rule.
Lien holders are not required to process applications to list a
lien when it is part of any other title transaction, such as change
of ownership, repossession, private sale or replacement title.
Additionally, a transaction will be classified as exempt if the
secured party is unable to process due to incidents associated with
processing or if technology does not exist for the secured party to
electronically process.
Am I required to process electronically?
If a financial institution added 48 or fewer liens in 2009, it
may be exempt from the electronic processing requirement. If the
financial institution is exempt and chooses not to electronically
process, there will be an additional $5 fee per application manually
processed by DMV.
If a financial institution is not exempt, it will be assessed a
$20 surcharge for each application submitted to DMV for processing
that can be completed electronically, in addition to the $5 manual
processing fee. This surcharge cannot be passed on to the customer.
Newly established non-individual lenders are required to process
electronically and will have 30 days to comply with the processing
requirement.
The first step is to choose a processing program. Wisconsin DMV
is pleased to offer three options for electronic processing.
To sign up for one of the programs, please call:
CVR: Kelly Medick, (847) 230-6702
DealerTrack: Kim Winskell, (800) 876-2312, ext. 4242
e-MV Agent:
WisDOT Customer Service Unit, (608) 266-1425
What types of applications are required to be processed
electronically?
Transactions that are non-exempt and should be processed
electronically:
All vehicle types and body styles
Vehicles with VINs less than 17 characters
Vehicles with assigned or inconsistent VINs
Multi-stage vehicles
Vehicles with any plate or registration type
Vehicles with incidents that only affect registration
Transactions that are exempt from electronic processing:
Change of ownership
Vehicles with salvage brands
Incomplete or invalid title status, such as in-progress or
restricted due to incidents
Wisconsin title with no record on database
Adding two or more lien holders
Adding a third or subsequent lien to the record
Vehicles with a No-Wisconsin-Title Issued
More than two owners exist on the record
The Mail to DOT form
lists several common incidents or technology
limitations. This form should accompany all applications mailed to
WisDOT for manual processing.
How do I handle the paperwork?
Starting in July 2010, an "S" title number, such as S0182A001001-9,
is issued when a lien add transaction is
completed electronically by a secured party. Law requires the
secured party to destroy the previous title provided by the customer
after 60 days. No lien confirmations will be generated from
electronic title transactions that issue an "S" title
number.
Titles and applications for electronic lien adds and releases
will not be imaged and should not be mailed in. Applications and
receipts for replacement titles, repossessions, and title transfers
must still be mailed to WisDOT for imaging.
As no lien confirmations will be generated for "S"
titles, use the Inquiry function on your electronic processing
system, or use WisDOT's lien look-up program to verify your lien is
on the record.
What about the lien release?
Statute 342.22(1) states that the secured party shall deliver to
the vehicle owner a notice stating that the release has been
provided to the department within 30 days, or within 10 days if
requested in writing. A letter on letterhead or a printed copy of
the system-generated confirmation of the lien's removal are
acceptable notices. This notification may also be done
electronically. If you choose to write a letter, please include the
year, make, and VIN, as well as the date of the lien satisfaction.
You will need Microsoft Word to view Word files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Word files. For more information
about getting your free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer, visit WisDOT's Software
information page.
Questions about the content of this page:
Division of Motor Vehicles, Dealer Section, dealers.dmv@dot.wi.gov
Last modified: November 14, 2011
lists several common incidents or technology
limitations. This form should accompany all applications mailed to
WisDOT for manual processing.
You will need Microsoft Word to view Word files. If you do not have a copy of Microsoft Word installed on your computer, you can use the Microsoft Word Viewer (provided free of charge) to view Word files. For more information
about getting your free copy of Microsoft Word Viewer, visit WisDOT's 