What if the car loan is paid off?

Why is HSBC holding my car title that was used as collateral in 1997 with Beneficial Mortgage of Ohio and the loan was paid off in 1998. Now I just bought a brand new car and my 30 day tags are about to expire in 3 days. I think somebody screwed up on the paperwork. Because the car was not used as collateral on the loan in 1999.