Key takeaways Most states allow electronic processing to simplify and shorten the time it takes to transfer a title. Eight states let you hold your own title — making it easier to transfer it out of the lienholder’s name. It can take up to six weeks or more to have the lien removed from your car title and make it officially yours. An auto lien is a note showing that your vehicle is legally owned by another party — in many cases, your lender. When you take out an auto loan , your lender will be listed as a lienholder on the title and have legal claim to the vehicle until you pay off your loan. The title will be released to you after your loan is paid in full. At this point, the legal ownership of the car is transferred from your lender to you. In some states, getting your title is an automatic process after you pay off your loan. In others, you may have to submit paperwork to the Department of Motor Vehicles. Either way, expect to wait a few weeks for your title to be put in your name.…