Obtaining an Abandoned Vehicle Title

• 1). Submit an abandoned property report. "The owner... manager, or lessee of the property must complete" an abandoned property report at the time the vehicle is towed. Submit it to the Missouri Department of Revenue.
  
  
• 2). Send a copy of the abandoned property report to the owner after 10 days with a notice of intent to title the vehicle. The notice must be made by certified mail. Lienholders must be notified as well.
  
  
• 3). Submit form DOR-4576, Abandoned Property Affidavit, with the application for title if the owner cannot be notified. This is a form certifying that you or the towing company have attempted to find the original owner.
  
  
• 4). Submit form DOR-551, Vehicle Examination Certificate. You will need to have it signed by a Missouri state police officer. Form DOR-551 is available from license bureau offices statewide. If the VIN number is not on the vehicle, you will also have to submit form DOR-923, Application for Replacement Vehicle Identification Number.
  
  
• 5). Submit the following documents: a copy of the record search mailed to you after submitting form DOR-4669 for abandoned property, a completed title application, a notarized form DOR-4576, a copy of the tow report, a copy of DOR-4577 for vehicle owner and lien notification, a copy of certified mail receipt and, if known, a statement about the circumstances which led to the abandoned vehicle. There are slightly different regulations for towing companies and individual property owners. If all of the paperwork was submitted correctly, you should receive the title in the mail within 2 weeks.
  
  
• 6). License the vehicle in the normal way after receiving the salvage abandoned title. You will need a hard copy of a current inspection (dated within one year of the licensing date), proof of insurance and the title in your name.