How Long Does It Take to Get the Green Book After Paying Off the Car Loan?
4 Answers
After paying off the car loan, it usually takes between one week to half a month to receive the Green Book. Subsequently, you need to take the motor vehicle driving certificate to the local vehicle management office to complete the release of mortgage procedures. When going through the release of mortgage procedures, you should bring the following documents provided by the bank: the vehicle registration certificate, loan clearance statement, bank organization code, and power of attorney. The documents required from the vehicle owner include: ID card, vehicle license, driver's license, car purchase invoice, vehicle inspection certificate, and insurance certificate. The Green Book refers to the motor vehicle registration certificate, which is essentially the vehicle's household registration. During the mortgage period, the Green Book is kept by the vehicle management office on behalf of the owner. After the mortgage is released, it is kept by the vehicle owner and does not need to be carried in the vehicle.
I remember when I paid off my car loan, the whole process took about two weeks to get the title. Mainly, the finance company needed to process the release documents—from their confirmation of payoff to issuing the release notice, it usually took 7-10 business days. I recommend proactively calling or using online customer service to follow up on the progress rather than waiting for automatic notifications. Once you receive the lien release, bring your ID and proof of repayment directly to the local DMV to complete the lien removal registration, and you can get the title on the spot. Some people overlook this step, which might cause issues later when selling or transferring the car, as the vehicle ownership isn’t officially confirmed. I suggest checking the details of your auto loan contract before paying it off to understand the specific timeline and document requirements, saving time later. On average, it takes 1-4 weeks, depending on the institution’s efficiency, so timely communication is key to avoiding delays.
From a professional perspective, the time to obtain the vehicle title (green book) after paying off an auto loan is generally within 1-3 weeks. The finance company first completes internal account processing and generates the release documents, which takes about 1 week. After completion, they will send electronic or paper notifications to the vehicle owner. Then, bring the notification and ID card to the DMV to complete the lien release registration, and the green book can be obtained immediately. I've seen cases where owners failed to follow up promptly, causing delays of up to a month stuck at the first step. A common issue is the lien release notification getting lost in mail, so it's recommended to proactively follow up within 7 days after repayment to confirm document preparation status. The entire process is straightforward but requires cooperation—maintain clear communication channels to avoid delays in vehicle transfer or insurance renewal due to waiting.
My friend recently paid off his car loan and got the title (green book) in less than two weeks. The key step is that after repayment, the finance company will first send a mortgage release certificate, which usually takes about 5-7 business days to process. Once you receive the certificate, you must immediately go to the DMV to complete the release procedures. Bring your ID and loan repayment records, and retrieve the title on the spot without delay. The time mainly depends on the first half of the process, averaging 1-4 weeks depending on the institution's efficiency. It's recommended to regularly check your email or SMS for updates. Get it done early to avoid affecting your car-selling plans.
