How to Apply for an Abandoned Vehicle Title

If you discover an abandoned vehicle and wish to have it titled in your name, several steps need to be taken. The process for getting an abandoned vehicle title varies from state to state. It is not as simple as filling out a single form, since the original owner of the car may still have some right to it. You can't merely claim the car as your own because you discovered it. You will have to meet with local law enforcement authorities and/or your state department of motor vehicles to obtain an abandoned vehicle title.

Instructions

1

Take a photograph of the car on your property and upload it onto the computer so that there is a record of the first time you noticed the car. Take another photograph 30 days later of the car in the same location and upload it to your computer again.

2

Obtain the Vehicle Identification Number from the vehicle. This is a 25-digit number that can be found on the dashboard, on the engine, on the inside of the door, or in the glove compartment of the car.

3

Contact your state department of motor vehicles and ask if you can obtain an abandoned car title without going through the police office. If you can, then take the VIN to the department of motor vehicles and fill out any necessary paperwork provided to obtain your title. If not, you'll have to work with the police.

4

Furnish the VIN to your local police station and tell them that there has been a car abandoned on your property. Ask that they try to find the owner and that they inform you if no owner is found. If a sale has to be arranged in your state, ask that they contact you about arranging a sheriff's sale. The police also will verify that the car has not been stolen. If no owner can be found, police will post a notice that the car has been found abandoned before the auction.

5

Attend the sheriff's sale or auction. If no one shows up to bid on the abandoned vehicle, the title may be given to you. If other bidders appear, you'll have to outbid them. If so, you will have a certificate of lien or ownership on the vehicle.

6

Apply for a title by taking your certificate of lien or ownership papers to the department of motor vehicles and completing the required paperwork.