Follow up from above - Genie (DW) was a title officer at Catepillar Tractor, she says she could go online into ANY registry in all 50 states via VIN, and search for owner titles, lien, lease-holder on any vehicle with a VIN.
Now we know TC does not require plates in all states, but I bet any lienholder will place any valid lien in the registry of that state where it's sold with a loan. So basically, if you or anyone searched at a registry (maybe a fee, who knows) that registry can look in every state for a lien and probably search by VIN. JMHO