VTR-266 is the Prescribed Form for Release of Lien published by the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV). A lienholder's authorized agent uses it to certify that the lien or encumbrance on a described vehicle has been satisfied and is released on a stated date. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The form needs an original signature and a date, and TxDMV publishes it at www.TxDMV.gov.
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What is VTR-266?
Form VTR-266, Prescribed Form for Release of Lien, is the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) form on which a lienholder's authorized agent certifies that the lien or encumbrance on a described vehicle has been satisfied and is, or was, released on the date listed.
The form is one page. It identifies the vehicle (Vehicle Identification Number, year, make, body style, model, and, if known, the title or document number and the Texas license plate number), names the lienholder and the date the lien was satisfied, and ends with the Lienholder Certification, which the authorized agent signs, prints and dates. The certification warns that state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.
The instructions on the form list three ways to release a lien: in the lien release section on the front of the certificate of title, on this form, or on the lienholder's letterhead. A letterhead release must contain the same information as the form's Vehicle Information section. VTR-266 is the form option, so it is an alternative to the other two, not an addition to them.
The form also refers to Form VTR-34, Application for a Certified Copy of Title. When VTR-266 is completed together with that application, extra proof of the agent's authority is required, as described under required documents.
Who needs to file VTR-266?
The main users are lienholders, through their authorized agents, who need to release a lien or encumbrance on a vehicle that has been satisfied. The certification is written in the voice of the authorized agent for the lienholder, and that person signs it.
- Lienholders choosing the form option. The release may instead be made in the lien release section on the front of the certificate of title or on the lienholder's letterhead; VTR-266 is for those who release the lien on this form.
- Agents completing it with Form VTR-34. When the form accompanies an Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34), the agent must show a business card with the agent's name and the lienholder's name, an authorization on the lienholder's letterhead for the agent, or employee identification.
- Individual lienholders. If the lienholder is an individual, a copy of that individual's government issued photo identification is required with that application.
The form gives no separate instruction for other representatives, so the person who signs must be the authorized agent for the lienholder named on it.
When to file VTR-266
Complete the form once the lien or encumbrance on the vehicle has been satisfied. The form records the date the lien was satisfied and certifies that the lien is or was released on that date, so it is prepared when that event has happened.
No due date or filing window is printed on the form. When it is completed together with an Application for a Certified Copy of Title (Form VTR-34), it is prepared at the same time as that application and travels with it. The signature must be original and dated; a copy will not be accepted, so plan for signing before the package is sent or delivered.
Documents you need
- Business card showing the authorized agent's name and the lienholder's name, when VTR-266 is completed with Form VTR-34, Application for a Certified Copy of Title (one of three accepted proofs).
- Authorization for the authorized agent on the lienholder's letterhead, when VTR-266 is completed with Form VTR-34 (alternative to the business card or employee ID).
- Employee identification, when VTR-266 is completed with Form VTR-34 (alternative to the business card or letterhead authorization).
- Copy of the individual's government issued photo identification, only if the lienholder is an individual and the form is completed with Form VTR-34.
How to fill out VTR-266
Enter the vehicle identification details
In the Vehicle Information section, enter the Vehicle Identification Number, Year, Make, Body Style and Model of the vehicle.
Add title and plate numbers if known
Enter the Title/Document Number (if known) and the Texas License Plate Number (if known). Leave them blank only when you do not know them.
Enter the lienholder name and date
In the Lien Information section, enter the Lienholder Name and the Date Lien Satisfied, the date on which the lien or encumbrance was released.
Enter the lienholder address
Fill in the lienholder's Address, City, State and Zip.
Name the authorized agent
Enter the Authorized Agent Name, then the agent's Phone Number and Email.
Read the Lienholder Certification
The agent certifies that the lien or encumbrance on the vehicle described has been satisfied and is or was released on the date listed. State law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.
Print and sign in original
Print the completed form. The Signature of Authorized Agent must be an original signature, and the Printed Name (Same as Signature) and Date must also be completed; a copy will not be accepted.
Review and assemble the package
Check every entry against the vehicle and the lien records. If the form goes with Form VTR-34, add the business card, letterhead authorization or employee identification, plus photo ID for an individual lienholder. Download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF.
How to submit VTR-266
The form prints no mailing address, portal or office; it states only that it is available online at www.TxDMV.gov. What it does set is the condition of the document itself: every release of lien, on this form, on the title or on letterhead, requires an original signature and a date, and a copy will not be accepted.
- With Form VTR-34. If you complete VTR-266 in conjunction with an Application for a Certified Copy of Title, include the proof of authority the form lists: a business card, a letterhead authorization or employee identification, and, for an individual lienholder, a copy of government issued photo identification.
- Where it goes. Follow the submission instructions that TxDMV gives for the title transaction the release supports; the form itself names no other channel.
- Other options. A release on the certificate of title or on letterhead must contain the vehicle information the form asks for.
FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting a photocopy of the signed form; the instructions require an original signature and say a copy will not be accepted.
- Leaving the signature or the date blank; all three release options require an original signature and a date.
- Releasing the lien on letterhead without the information from the form's Vehicle Information section.
- Using the form with Form VTR-34 without a business card, letterhead authorization or employee identification for the authorized agent.
- Omitting a copy of the government issued photo identification when the lienholder is an individual and the form accompanies Form VTR-34.
- Entering false information in the Lienholder Certification; state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony.
- Having someone other than the authorized agent for the lienholder sign the certification.
- Leaving the Date Lien Satisfied empty, although the certification says the lien is or was released on the date listed.
Frequently asked questions
What is VTR-266 used for?
VTR-266 is TxDMV's Prescribed Form for Release of Lien. The lienholder's authorized agent uses it to certify that the lien or encumbrance on a described vehicle has been satisfied and is or was released on the date listed on the form.
Can a release of lien be done without Form VTR-266?
Yes. The form's instructions allow a release in the lien release section on the front of the certificate of title, on VTR-266, or on the lienholder's letterhead. A letterhead release must carry the same information as the form's Vehicle Information section.
Does the signature on VTR-266 have to be an original?
Yes. All three release options require an original signature and a date, and the instructions say a copy will not be accepted. Print the completed form and have the authorized agent sign it in original.
Who signs Form VTR-266?
The authorized agent for the lienholder signs the Lienholder Certification, then enters a printed name (the same as the signature) and the date. The certification is written in that agent's voice, so no one else should sign it.
What do I need with VTR-266 and Form VTR-34?
With Form VTR-34, Application for a Certified Copy of Title, include a business card with the agent's and lienholder's names, a letterhead authorization for the agent, or employee identification. If the lienholder is an individual, add a copy of government issued photo ID.
Can I fill out VTR-266 online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent of TxDMV and does not file the release; the signed original is handled through the channels TxDMV uses for the title transaction.
What happens if false information is entered on the form?
The Lienholder Certification warns that state law makes falsifying information a third degree felony. Enter only facts you can confirm, including the date the lien was satisfied.
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