{"ok":true,"canonical_url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/certificate-of-title","api_url":"https://dealroom.so/api/public/glossary/certificate-of-title","data_freshness":{"sba_records_through":"2026-05-31","fdic_records_through":"2026-03-31","dealroom_last_updated":"2026-06-15","timezone":"America/Chicago"},"source_summary":["Public SBA 7(a) loan records","FDIC institution data","DealRoom lender and franchise enrichment"],"term":{"slug":"certificate-of-title","term":"Certificate of Title","group":"People and paperwork","definition":"A legal document proving ownership of an asset, often a vehicle or real estate. For buyers, it confirms the seller can legally transfer specific property, preventing future ownership disputes.","what_it_means":"When buying a business with vehicles or titled equipment, your lender will require a clean Certificate of Title. This ensures the asset is free of undisclosed liens and can be properly transferred to you. Verify that the seller's name on the title matches the business entity selling the asset.","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/certificate-of-title","official_sources":[],"related":[{"slug":"lien","term":"Lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/lien"},{"slug":"ownership-structure","term":"Ownership Structure","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ownership-structure"},{"slug":"commercial-real-estate-acquisition","term":"Commercial Real Estate Acquisition","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/commercial-real-estate-acquisition"},{"slug":"ucc-lien","term":"UCC lien","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/ucc-lien"}],"related_questions":[{"question":"Can a borrower's investment in a certificate of deposit (CD) count towards the required equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/can-a-borrower-s-investment-in-a-certificate-of-deposit-cd-count-towards-the-required-equi"},{"question":"Can I use funds from a Certificate of Deposit (CD) that matures after closing for my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-funds-from-a-certificate-of-deposit-cd-that-matures-after-closing-for-my-equity-"},{"question":"What are the SBA's lien requirements for a 7(a) loan when the collateral includes titled vehicles?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-sba-s-lien-requirements-for-a-7-a-loan-when-the-collateral-includes-titled-ve"},{"question":"What are the specific requirements for securing a lien on titled vehicles as collateral for a 7(a) loan?","url":"https://dealroom.so/for-lenders/questions/what-are-the-specific-requirements-for-securing-a-lien-on-titled-vehicles-as-collateral-fo"},{"question":"Can I use a secured personal line of credit as part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-7a/questions/can-i-use-a-secured-personal-line-of-credit-as-part-of-my-equity-injection"},{"question":"Can a seller-financed portion of the sale be considered part of my equity injection?","url":"https://dealroom.so/sba-loans/basics/can-a-seller-financed-portion-of-the-sale-be-considered-part-of-my-equity-injection"}]},"caveats":["Definitions represent DealRoom's plain-English interpretation for buyers; verify regulatory terms against the official SBA and eCFR sources listed.","Not legal, tax, or financial advice, and not an SBA eligibility determination."],"citation":{"label":"DealRoom.so Glossary — Certificate of Title","url":"https://dealroom.so/glossary/certificate-of-title","source_type":"DealRoom Data"}}