Titles

Titled owned vehicle loans include: 

• All auto loans 
• Motorcycle loans 
• ATV’s, ORV’s, Dirt bikes, and Trail bikes 
• Trailers weighing more than 2,500 pounds* 
• RV’s and trailer coaches 
• Golf carts that meet federal regulations for on-road use** 
• Jet skis, boats longer than 20 feet, and watercrafts with inboard motor (regardless of length) 

*Trailers weighing less than 2,500 pounds are exempt from titling. 

**Golf carts that do not meet federal regulations for on-road use do not require a title. 

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Details

• TRUE Community Credit Union can only finance non-salvaged vehicles. 
• Dealerships typically manage title transfers for vehicles purchased through the dealership. 
• TRUE Community can help process title paperwork for vehicles that do not have an ownership transfer for the new title. Example: A cash out value of the equity of the vehicle. 
• Title paperwork that will have an ownership transfer will need to be completed by the new buyer. 
• Title paperwork must be completed within 15 days from when the loan was finalized. Example: Private sales 

Electronic or Paper Title

If your vehicle is registered and titled in Michigan, your title may be held electronically, meaning you may not receive a paper title while the loan is active. 

With the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) program, the Secretary of State (SOS) transmits title and vehicle information electronically to the lienholder. Once your loan is paid in full, we will send a request to the SOS to mail you a free and clear paper title. 

If your vehicle is registered and titled in a different state, your title may be electronic or paper, depending on your states DMV (Department of Motor Vehicle) or SOS system. If a paper title is issued, TRUE Community will hold the paper title on file until the loan is paid in full. Once your final payment is made, we will sign off on the title and send it to you at your address. You can then take the title to your DMV or SOS to get it reissued without TRUE Community listed as the lien holder. 

Lien Release/Release of Lien 

You’ve paid off your loan. Congratulations! 

You can easily and conveniently request a Release of Lien document by sending us a message in Digital Banking or by contacting us at 517.784.7101. You can also stop into any TRUE Community location, and a representative can sign off your title or issue a lien release. 

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FAQs

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Should I receive a paper title if financing my vehicle with TRUECCU? 

The short answer is no, not right away at least. Due to the implementation of the ELT (Electronic Lien and Title) program in Michigan as of March 2021, your title will be held electronically by the Michigan Department of State. This means you will not receive a paper vehicle title until your loan with TRUE Community has been paid in full.  

Once you make your final loan payment with TRUE Community, we will send a request to the Secretary of State, and a clean paper title will be sent to your address! 

What is ELT? 

The ELT (Electronic Lien and Title) program is a method the Michigan Secretary of State (SOS) and a lending institution (lienholder) exchange vehicle and title information electronically instead of by paper, making the process more efficient, and eco-friendly! 

Since no paper title is issued for the vehicle, the SOS transmits the title information electronically to your lienholder's ELT service provider. This means you will not see a paper title for your vehicle until your loan is paid in full. 

Once you make your final loan payment with TRUE Community, we will send a request to the Secretary of State, and a clean paper title will be sent to your address! 

I have an electronic title. Can you provide a document to verify my vehicles title? 

Yes we can! If your title is electronic, and you are needing a copy to verify the title in your name, please send us a chat online or message within digital banking requesting the document. We can get it sent to you via email or mail! 

I'm selling my car, but my title is being held electronically? 

If your title is being held electronically and your selling your vehicle, we can provide a copy of your ELT to you as proof of ownership if you need it. When you make your final TRUE Community loan payment, we will send a request to the Secretary of State to mail you a paper title. You can then sign off in the seller's section of the title and hand the title over to the buyer. 

I'm selling my car, should I go with the buyer to the Secretary of State office? 

Actually, yes. It's best to accompany the new buyer to a SOS office to make sure the sale documents get completed. This insures you as the seller, that the vehicle title will be removed out of your name. 

The Secretary of State website recommends "A person who can not prove they sold their vehicle as required by Section 257.240 is responsible for a civil infraction and subject to a civil fine of $15.00. The person is also presumed to be the last titled owner and is liable for towing fees and daily storage fees if the vehicle is abandoned." For more title questions, you can visit https://www.michigan.gov/sos/faqs/vehicles/titles. 

I moved out of state, but my title is held electronically in Michigan. Is there an ELT summary or status I can print to verify my Michigan title? 

Yes there is! We have the option to request a paper title when you move out of Michigan and need to register your vehicle in another state! Please have your new state's DMV or SOS send a title request letter directly to: TRUE Community Credit Union 1100 Clinton Rd. Jackson, MI 49202 

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