Electronic Lien Checking
(using Iowa DOT ARTS System)
http://www.iowadot.gov/driversvehicles.html#/autodealers
On the DOT website main page under DRIVERS / VEHICLES Click TELL ME MORE then
AUTO DEALERS or follow link
http://www.iowadot.gov/driversvehicles.html#/autodealers
Select DEALER SERVICES
Select Registration fee calculators (this will put you in ARTS system)
Select TOOLs tab
Select DEALER INQUIRY from drop down box
Select VEHICLE INQUIRY
Enter in the VIN and click “search”
In the second box of titling information it will indicate
SECURITY INTEREST EXISTS Yes or No
If no, then no lien exists. If Yes, then more information may be accessed via logging
into the ARTS system with your username and password.
o If you are NOT already registered; to get a password go to www.iowadot.gov
,
access FORMS tab and download form #431069 “Privacy Act Agreement
Request of Motor Vehicle Records” send completed form to DOT for assignment
of username and password.
If more information is needed then LOGOUT of the public access [LOGOUT at top of
page and answer YES to “Are you sure you want to logout?”]
Type in USERNAME and PASSWORD and press LOGIN: It should welcome you with your
name.
Repeat TOOLS; DEALER INQUIRY and a new option will appear as
REGISTRATION INQUIRY. Click on it.
Enter in the VIN and click “search”
This time the titling information will be more extensive in the second box down and
there will now be a fifth box that will give “Customers” information including the lien
holder of the title.
