Here's a question for ya

[Dreamman 1]

What if there is a lien on the car but you had it imported and all correct paperwork stamped at boarder?

What if there is a lien on the car but I had it imported and all the corr ed t paperwork stamped at the boarder when I drive through on my k-1?

[pro_star 52]

From what I've heard, you can NOT import a car with a lien on it.

They need a statement saying there are no liens on the car. (I'd assume payout statement from the bank or possibly a personal property registry search on the vin would work)

If there are liens (you're still paying for it, or used it as collateral on something etc) you can not bring it across.

Which is why I'm losing my car.

[Dreamman 1]

I did bring my car across tho. I am here now. Paid an importer to do the paperwork. I haven't gone to motor vehicle yet. Just wondering what to expect.

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

Did it myself at the border at buffalo. Took ten minutes, the border agent filled it out himself I signed. Wasn't asked about liens or asked to provide any documents besides the compliance letter. No cost. 2012 Ford focus.

[Ms Hogan 295]

I did bring my car across tho. I am here now. Paid an importer to do the paperwork. I haven't gone to motor vehicle yet. Just wondering what to expect.

The problem you may run into is that you won't be able to get it registered in the state you live in. The border isn't looking at whether or not you own your car. That isn't where the issue is. The challenge is when you go to transfer your registration to a title from that state. But this again depends on which state you live in. Where I live, I had to show my registration and confirm that there was no lien on it. Because I had only recently paid it off I had a letter from the dealership confirming that there were no liens on it. If your registration shows that the car is owned by you AND a finance company then you may very well have a problem getting that document changed to a title you can use to register your car. You will need to look into the requirements of the state you are now in.

The importer you paid to complete your paperwork probably also didn't care whether or not you could register it. All they were doing was getting it in the country.

Call your local DMV to find out the requirements or look it up on their web site.

I know for me I had to get an out of state inspection to confirm my paperwork matched the actual car (VIN) and once I had that I could go to the title bureau to change my Ontario registration into a title for my car. But they had to confirm that there were no liens on it. Once I had that I could go back to the DMV to get my license plates and stickers.

Good luck!

[Dreamman 1]

Thank you for the information. I haven't gone to the motor vehicle office in Arizona yet. Do you have to have status before you can register you car in usa?

[Krikit 1,165]

• If your vehicle has a lien on it then you need to speak with your finance company. There are two issues with having a lien on the vehicle. One is that the finance company may not authorize taking the vehicle out of the country while you still owe money on it. The second issue is that, when you register the vehicle in the US, they require the lien-holder information because the title of the vehicle will be put in the lien-holders' name, not yours.

In Florida the title gets sent to the lienholder until the vehicle is paid off unless the lienholder signs off on it. Some lienholders will not allow a vehicle to leave the country, so you need to clear it with them first. See this form: http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/BTR/82040.pdf

Speak with your insurer. Mine (State Farm) would only insure my vehicle for 4 weeks after I had left the country. GEICO allowed me to insure with them under the Canadian registration, plates, and drivers license until I could get everything changed over.

For the Canadian in Florida... apply for your Florida Resident Card. It's nice to be able to prove you're legal until you receive the AOS. Once you're able to apply for your Drivers License you won't have to provide proof of residential address; you just hand it over.

At Customs you will be asked the value of the vehicle. Low-ball it in case you're required to pay State or County taxes on the value at registration. They will use the Kelley Blue Book site so take a look at that.

[Krikit 1,165]

Thank you for the information. I haven't gone to the motor vehicle office in Arizona yet. Do you have to have status before you can register you car in usa?

In Florida I had to wait until I had an SSN and the NOA from my AOS before I could get my driver's license and register my vehicle. Check the Arizona DMV site for your documentation requirements.

[Krikit 1,165]

I'm having this done soon myself although in Florida. It's my understanding though you aren't considered a resident until you have an ead. Hmmm.

Unless things have changed, Florida DMV doesn't consider you a resident until you receive your AOS NOA or EAD.

[NikLR 13,232]

Most states require the EAD or GC for a driver's license.