In the Hugh Hess of A, a clear title is one which is free of leins and
other legal encumbrances, such as mechanic liens, tax liens, or
uncleared financial documents such as would exist if the vehicle was
financed by a bank and the loan had not yet been paid off. Those bank
things are most often referred to as encumbrances, to separate them from
the liens, which have other legal ramifications. Anything of record at
the courthouse or state revenue office where the vehicle was registered.
Once all those encumbrances and leins are satisfied, or settled, a clear
title can be issued.

Here in the US the "Certificate of Title" is the legal document of
ownership.  I doubt that anyone is going to send you their title before
you show up to pick up the vehicle unless you have paid for it and your
check to them  has cleared the bank, or your suitcase full of cash
proves to be legitimate and not counterfeit! :-D

If you have paid for the vehicle, and have the bill of sale, I suppose
they could send you the title document, but they would have to sign it
as free of leins and encumbrances, and if it has a signature it could be
stolen and someone else could claim the prize instead of you, and you
wouldn't have any recourse. Scarey thought. A bill of sale IS not
security and does NOT give you ownership. Only the title does that.
Valuable document - that title!

Good Luck,

John Rodgers
88 GL Driver

Benny boy wrote:

>Hey guys, am ready to go get some van's and/or Bus's in the US, but there is
>one thing that bothers me. The title! (differences between equivalent
>canadian document call "registration paper")
>
>What is a clear title? if not clear, what is NOT CLEAR? What other kind of
>tiles can there be? How can i be sure if it's clear? Does the US border
>check if it's clear or is it just for the sake of exportation?
>
>Also, for those Canadian out there (or American who had to deal with that),
>I need to have the REAL title(not a copy) in hand before I go get the van, I
>need to leave this one at the US border for a period of 3 days! Can someone
>elaborate on that subject as to: Why? What do they check?
>
>-What is the cost, do I need other document(letter from the P.O.)???
>
>Any other input would be appreciated
>
>Best regards, Ben
>http://www.benplace.com/
>
>
>
>