Just paid mine off after 9 months with HSBC. I received a letter stating that it was paid off along with the lein release. The actual title was always in my possesion, but had the lein on it, thus the need for the lein release. That's how Md. does things. With the title AND lein release, I was able to re-title it free and clear here in Texas. From payoff time to receipt of paperwork was 10 days.