Unclaimed Motor Vehicles

Repair garages, places of storage and towing companies may obtain a certificate of title to an abandoned vehicle provided that the vehicle is valued at less than $3500 and the facility provides the proper evidence and documentation that is required.

There are very specific instructions to obtain a title by an Unclaimed Affidavit. For full details of the unclaimed process, please refer to the Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Procedure(PDF, 733KB).

Below is a brief summary of the documents required to obtain an Unclaimed certificate of title:

  • The Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Affidavit
  • A title application completed in the name of the facility.
  • An applicant’s odometer affidavit (the second box “operation of law” is the one that applies).
  • A copy of the current value of the vehicle recognized by the motor vehicle industry.
  • BMV form 1149 and BMV 2433.
  • Documentation to support estimated cost of repairs and agreed upon repairs.
  • Documentation to support storage fees.
  • Returned mail receipts verifying that the repair garage/storage/towing facility notified the owner and any lien holder
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