What you need to do to get a title for an abandoned car

Getting a title for an abandoned car requires you to go through your state's unclaimed or abandoned vehicle process, which usually starts with your local police department or sheriff's office. The car must sit unclaimed for a set period — typically 30 to 90 days depending on your state — before you can claim it. You'll need to file paperwork with your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or equivalent agency, provide proof that you've made a reasonable effort to find the owner, and pay any applicable fees. The exact steps and timeline vary significantly by state, so your first move is to contact your local police non-emergency line to ask about the specific process where you live.

The reason for this formal process is that someone owns the car, even if they've abandoned it. The law protects that owner's rights while also allowing you to eventually claim the vehicle if the owner doesn't respond. Skipping the official route and straightforward taking possession of the car — even if it's been sitting for months — is theft, regardless of how abandoned it looks.

Key Takeaways

  • Contact your local police department first to report the abandoned vehicle and learn your state's specific timeline and process for claiming it.
  • You must wait the required period (usually 30 to 90 days) after the vehicle is reported before you can file for ownership, and you may need to show proof you tried to notify the owner.
  • File an abandoned vehicle claim form with your state's DMV along with documentation of the vehicle's location, your identity, and your attempt to find the owner.
  • Expect to pay filing fees and possibly towing or storage costs, which vary by state and county.
  • Once approved, you'll receive a title in your name, though the process typically takes several weeks to several months.

The timeline: how long before you can claim the car

Most states require the car to remain unclaimed and unregistered for 30 to 90 days before you can file a claim. Some states measure this from the date the car was first reported to police; others measure from the date it was towed or impounded. A few states have longer waiting periods of up to 120 days. You cannot skip ahead — filing before the waiting period ends will be rejected.

During this waiting period, the state (or the towing company, if the car was towed) is supposed to make a reasonable effort to contact the registered owner. This might include sending a certified letter to the address on file or publishing a notice in a local newspaper. If the owner responds during this time, they can reclaim the vehicle and you cannot proceed. If they don't respond by the end of the period, you can move forward with your claim.

Step-by-step: filing your claim with the DMV

Start by contacting your local police department's non-emergency line. Tell them you want to claim an abandoned vehicle and ask for the specific form your state uses. Common names include "Abandoned Vehicle Claim Form," "Unclaimed Vehicle process," or "Notice of Claim to Abandoned Vehicle." The police department can tell you whether the car needs to be towed first or whether you can file while it's still where it sits.

Gather the required documents, which typically include: the vehicle identification number (VIN) from the car itself, the location where the car has been sitting, proof of your identity (driver's license), and documentation that you made an effort to find the owner (such as a police report number or a copy of any notice the state sent). Some states require you to provide a photo of the vehicle showing its condition and location.

Submit the completed form to your state's DMV, usually by mail, though some states now accept online submissions. Include the filing fee, which ranges from $25 to $150 depending on the state. If the car was towed, you may also owe storage fees to the towing company — these can add up quickly, sometimes $20 to $50 per day. Ask the police department or towing company for the total amount owed before you file.

After you submit, the DMV will verify that the waiting period has passed and that the owner did not respond to notices. This verification step typically takes two to four weeks. Once approved, you'll receive a title in your name. Some states issue a standard title; others issue a "salvage title" if the vehicle is damaged or has been sitting for a very long time.

What happens if the car is already towed or impounded

If the abandoned car has already been towed to an impound lot, the process is slightly different but often faster. The towing company or impound facility is already tracking the vehicle and attempting to notify the owner. Ask the facility for the case number and the date the car was towed — this information is crucial for your DMV filing.

You'll still need to wait out the state's required period, but the waiting period may have already started when the car was towed, not when you discovered it. Confirm this with the facility. Once the waiting period ends and you file your claim, the DMV will coordinate with the impound lot. When your claim is approved, you'll need to pay the towing and storage fees before you can take possession of the car.

Storage fees are the biggest variable cost here. A car stored for 60 days at $30 per day costs $1,800 before you even own it. Call the impound lot when ready and ask for the current total. Some facilities will negotiate a reduced rate if you claim the car quickly, and some states cap the daily storage fee by law.

Salvage titles and what they mean for resale

If the abandoned car has been damaged, flooded, or has sat for an extended period, your state's DMV may issue a salvage title instead of a standard title. A salvage title indicates the vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company or has significant damage. It's a permanent mark on the vehicle's history.

A salvage title makes the car much harder to sell. Most buyers avoid salvage-titled vehicles because insurance is expensive, financing is nearly impossible, and resale value drops sharply. If you plan to sell the car, a salvage title will limit your buyer pool to people buying for parts or repair. Some states allow you to explore for a "rebuilt title" after repairs and inspection, which restores some resale value, but this requires documented repairs and a state inspection.

Before you invest time and money in claiming the car, ask the DMV whether it will likely receive a salvage title based on its condition. If it will, weigh whether the car is worth the effort. If you're claiming it for parts or personal use, a salvage title is less of a problem.

Costs you'll actually pay

The total cost to claim an abandoned car breaks down into several parts. The DMV filing fee is usually $25 to $150. If the car was towed, storage fees are typically $20 to $50 per day from the tow date until you claim it — this can easily exceed $1,000 for a car that's been sitting for two months. Some states charge a title transfer fee of $10 to $50 on top of the filing fee.

You may also need to pay for a new registration and inspection before you can legally drive the car. Registration fees vary by state and vehicle type, typically $50 to $200. An inspection (required in many states before registration) costs $15 to $50. If the car needs repairs to pass inspection, those costs are on you.

Add these up before you commit: a car towed 60 days ago could cost you $1,500 to $2,000 just to claim and register, before any repairs. If the car is worth less than that, it may not be worth pursuing.

What to do if you can't find the police report or the car's VIN

If you reported the car to police but lost the report number, call the non-emergency line again and ask them to look it up by the vehicle's location and the date you reported it. Have the address and approximate date ready. The police department should be able to pull the report and give you the number over the phone.

If you can't read the VIN on the car itself (it's usually on a metal plate on the driver's side dashboard or on the door jamb), you have a few options. If the car was towed, the impound lot has the VIN in their records. If it wasn't towed, you can look at the vehicle's exterior — the VIN is often visible through the windshield on the dashboard. If the car is too damaged or dirty to read, take a photo and bring it to your local DMV office; staff can sometimes help you locate it or work with you on the filing without it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim a car that's on someone else's property?

Not without the property owner's permission. If the car is parked on private land, the property owner has the right to have it towed at the vehicle owner's expense. You should contact the property owner first and ask them to report it to police if they want it removed. Once it's officially reported as abandoned, you can proceed with the claim process.

What if the registered owner shows up after I've claimed the car?

If the owner appears after the waiting period has ended and your claim is approved, they have missed their window. The title is now in your name and the car is legally yours. However, if they appear during the waiting period, they can reclaim the vehicle by paying any towing and storage fees. This is why the state's notice process is important — it gives the owner a chance to respond.

Do I need a lawyer to claim an abandoned car?

No. The process is designed for individuals to handle without legal help. The DMV provides the forms and instructions. If you get stuck, call your local DMV office and ask for guidance. A lawyer is only necessary if there's a dispute over ownership or if the property owner objects to the car being on their land.

Can I claim a car that's been abandoned for years?

Yes, but the longer it sits, the more storage fees you'll owe and the more likely it is to receive a salvage title. A car abandoned for five years will have accumulated years of storage charges (if it was towed) and will almost certainly be declared a total loss by the state. Confirm the total cost with the impound lot before you file.

What if the car has a lien on it?

If the car is financed, the lender has a legal claim to it. When you receive the title, it will show the lender as the lienholder. You cannot sell the car or register it in your name alone until that lien is removed. The lender must sign off on the title transfer. Contact the lender (information is usually on the title or registration) and explain the situation. Many lenders will release the lien on an abandoned vehicle, especially if the owner has not made payments in years.