
When the original owner of a vehicle has not paid off the loan that he or she took out to buy it, the bank or lender can put a lien on the vehicle. Vehicles or vessels may have a lien for a variety of reasons. If there is a lien on a used vehicle you want to buy, the seller must pay off the lien before transferring the title to you. Liens allow banks or other creditors to seize vehicles from owners if they do not repay their debt. A clear title means there are no liens held against the vehicle or vessel. If you are considering buying a used car, truck, RV, boat or another vehicle, it is a good idea to check for a clear title before you pay. Using VIN or Vessel Records to Check for Liens The vessel documentation you will receive lists a wide range of identifying information, including the vessel's current name, previous names, home port, owner, hull number and more. Coast Guard identification number on the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration website. If you need to review documentation on a boat or another vessel, you can search for records by entering the vessel's name or official U.S. The report lists the VIN, year, make and model of the vehicle associated with the plate number.

You can also enter a vehicle's license plate number on the website to determine if the tag is registered to a different vehicle. Visit to request an official vehicle status report.

Using the license plate number or Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), you can access details about ownership history and find out if the vehicle has a lien on it. Non-resident exemptions may be applied to college or university students who are in Florida for less than six months in an accredited work-study program recognized by the State of Florida, any non-resident enrolled as a full-time student in a Florida institution of higher learning, or to recreational vehicles not located in Florida for at least six consecutive months.If you need to find information about a vehicle's history, start by checking government records kept by the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Non-residents must register their vehicles in Florida within 10 days of the owner either becoming engaged in a trade or occupation, employed, placing children in public school or establishing residency.

If these are not available the title number or vehicle identification number may provide enough information. A registration renewal notice or previously issued registration.In order to receive a vehicle registration, you must have the following items: Vehicle registrations may be obtained at the tax collector’s office. Residents operating their vehicles on Florida’s roadways must register these vehicles in the State of Florida.
