Vehicle Industry Registration Procedures Manual

Vehicle/vessel registration information may be obtained by a person or entity for the purpose of conducting a lien sale for a:

• Vehicle valued at $4,000 or less.
• Vessel or vessel/trailer valued at $1,500 or less.

Printouts for lien sale purposes must be:

• Obtained by the vehicle identification number (VIN) or vessel hull identification number (HIN), not the license plate or CF number configuration.
• Submitted within 15 days of the date the lien arose (the date the owner was billed or when the public agency impounded the vehicle) for vehicles and within 60 days for vessels.

The Registration Information Request for Lien Sale (INF 1126) form, available at dmv.ca.gov may be submitted in person or by mail.

In-Person Requests—the following must be submitted:

• A completed INF 1126.
• The appropriate fee.

Mail Requests—all information requests submitted by mail must be forwarded to DMV headquarters for processing at:
Department of Motor Vehicles
Public Operations, MS G199
PO Box 944247
Sacramento, CA 94244-2470

For a vehicle valued over $4000, the lienholder must submit an Application for Lien Sale Authorization and Lienholder’s Certification (REG 656) form with the appropriate filing fee to the Lien Sale Unit at DMV headquarters within 30 days of the date the lien arose.

For a vessel or vessel trailer valued over $1500, the lienholder must submit an Application for Lien Sale Authorization and Lienholder’s Certification Vessel or Vessel/Trailer over $1,500 (BOAT 152) forms with the appropriate filing fee to the Lien Sale Unit at DMV headquarters within 60 days of the date the lien arose.

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