Getting an abandoned vehicle title requires filing paperwork with the DMV, trying to notify the original owner, and waiting around 30 to 120 days to claim ownership.
Standard process for claiming an abandoned vehicle:
- Record the VIN, make, model, year, and condition
- Report to local police
- Request a VIN check or lien search from the DMV
- Send a certified letter to the last known owner
- File an abandoned vehicle claim with your state
- Post required notices (newspaper)
- Wait the mandatory period for the previous owner's response
- Apply for the title if no valid claim is made
If the vehicle has an active lien, the lienholder has rights to the vehicle and must be notified. If the vehicle is abandoned at a repair shop, the mechanic has a separate lien process. Also, storage facilities have their own procedures.
Contact your local DMV for exact requirements. The waiting periods vary from 30 to 120 days, and the fees range from $20 to $100+. This process can be tedious and time-consuming, but it gives you clean legal ownership when complete.
