Last Update: July 27, 2026

How To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Ohio

Claiming an abandoned vehicle in Ohio is a structured legal process that requires compliance with specific timelines, notice procedures, and statutory requirements set forth in the Ohio Revised Code. Understanding each step ensures adherence to state law and protects the interests of the person claiming the vehicle, the original owner, and any lienholders. Possession of a vehicle alone does not automatically transfer ownership; title may be obtained only through the prescribed legal procedure.

What Qualifies as an Abandoned Vehicle in Ohio

Ohio law recognizes unclaimed motor vehicles in specific circumstances and distinguishes these from abandoned junk motor vehicles. An unclaimed motor vehicle is one left in the possession of a repair facility, storage facility, or towing service where the owner and lienholder have failed to claim it within the statutory period. The state divides unclaimed vehicle claims into four distinct categories, each with different timelines and procedures.

An unclaimed motor vehicle includes any vehicle meeting the following criteria:

• Vehicle left at a repair garage or place of storage. The motor vehicle must have a fair market value of less than $3,500 and must remain unclaimed for 15 days or more following completion of requested repairs or the agreed term of storage.
• Vehicle towed from a private tow-away zone. The motor vehicle must have a fair market value of less than $3,500 and must remain unclaimed for 60 days after the earliest required notice has been received or delivery of notice has been determined not to be possible.
• Vehicle towed by order of law enforcement. The motor vehicle is removed or stored pursuant to Sections 4513.60, 4513.61, or 4513.66 of the Ohio Revised Code and remains unclaimed for 60 days after the earliest notice is received or delivery failure is confirmed.
• Vehicle towed at the request of a motor vehicle dealer or repair facility. The motor vehicle remains unclaimed for 60 days after the earliest notice is received or delivery failure is confirmed, and the dealer or repair facility has authorized the tow under Section 4513.602.

A vehicle becomes legally eligible for title transfer only after all notice requirements have been satisfied, receipt has been confirmed or delivery failure documented, and the required waiting period has fully elapsed. At that point, a notarized affidavit may be filed to obtain a certificate of title.

Separately, an abandoned junk motor vehicle is defined as a vehicle that is 3 years old or older, left on private or public property for 48 hours or longer without permission, extensively damaged with missing or inoperable parts, apparently inoperable, and valued at $1,500 or less. Abandoned junk vehicles are disposed of by law enforcement and do not proceed through the title transfer process described in this article.

Process To Claim an Abandoned Vehicle in Ohio

Understanding the Abandoned Vehicle Process

Ohio law permits repair facilities, storage facilities, and towing services to obtain a certificate of title to unclaimed motor vehicles through a streamlined affidavit process rather than through public auction or court proceedings. The county Clerk of Courts issues the title free and clear of all liens and encumbrances once all statutory requirements are met. The process relies on proper notice to the owner and lienholders, documented proof of delivery or failed delivery, compliance with waiting periods, and execution of a notarized affidavit. Upon issuance of the title, the possessor becomes the legal owner and may retain, sell, or dispose of the vehicle.

Report the Unclaimed Vehicle

The first required step is to search motor vehicle title records to identify the registered owner and any lienholders. Submit a BMV Record Request (Form BMV 1173) to the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles or use the records of any vendor approved by the registrar of motor vehicles. This search may be conducted through the national motor vehicle title information system to determine the state in which the vehicle is titled.

For vehicles towed from a private tow-away zone, complete the record search within 3 business days of the vehicle removal. For repair facilities and law enforcement-ordered tows, conduct the search prior to sending the required notice.

Verify Title Records and Owner Information

Within the timeframe specified for the vehicle's category, obtain certified or official title information identifying any registered owner and any lienholder of record. If the vehicle is titled in Ohio, the record search will provide this information. If the vehicle is titled in another state, the search will identify that state, and the possessor should contact that state's motor vehicle agency if additional information is needed. The title records must be searched and obtained before notice is sent to any identified party.

Send Required Notices

Send written notice to the last known address of any owner and any lienholder identified through the title search. The notice must be sent by certified or express mail with return receipt requested, by certified mail with electronic tracking, or by a commercial carrier service utilizing any form of delivery requiring a signed receipt. Include the vehicle location and, when the notice is addressed to a lienholder, the stated fair market value of the vehicle.

For vehicles at a repair facility or storage facility, send the notice within five business days of receiving the title search results. For vehicles towed from a private tow-away zone, send the first notice within 5 business days of receiving the search results, and if the vehicle remains unclaimed 30 days after the first notice is sent, send a second notice in the same manner.

If the person who requested repair or agreed to storage is not the titled owner or lienholder, also notify the sheriff of the county or the law enforcement agency of the municipal corporation, township, port authority, or joint police district in which the repair facility, storage facility, or towing service is located.

Allow the Statutory Waiting Period

Following the sending of notice and receipt of proof that notice was delivered or that delivery was impossible, allow the following waiting periods to pass without any claim or recovery of the vehicle:

• Repair garage or place of storage: 15 days from the date notice was received (evidenced by a signed receipt) or from the date delivery was determined not to be possible.
• Private tow-away zone: 60 days from the date the earliest notice was received (evidenced by a signed receipt) or from the date delivery was determined not to be possible.
• Law enforcement-ordered tow: 60 days from the date notice was received (evidenced by a signed receipt) or from the date delivery was determined not to be possible.
• Tow at request of dealer or repair facility: 60 days from the date notice was received or delivery was determined not to be possible.

During the waiting period, if the owner or lienholder claims and recovers the vehicle by presenting proof of ownership and paying all towing and storage charges, no title affidavit may be filed, and title remains with the original owner.

File Notice of Sale, Auction, Or Transfer

Ohio law does not require advance filing or notice of sale with any state agency before title to an unclaimed vehicle is obtained. The possessor may proceed directly to executing and filing the affidavit once the waiting period has elapsed. No separate notice of sale filing is required under state law.

Publish Auction Notice

Publication of notice is not required under Ohio law for unclaimed vehicle title transfers. The state does not require public auction of unclaimed vehicles, and title is obtained through the affidavit process rather than through a publicly advertised sale.

Conduct the Public Auction Or Other Authorized Sale

Ohio does not require or provide for the public auction of unclaimed vehicles as part of the title transfer process. Once the title is issued to the possessor by the Clerk of Courts, the possessor may sell the vehicle through a private sale, retain it, or dispose of it as the legal owner. Any sale of the vehicle after the title is issued is a private transaction and is not regulated by the unclaimed vehicle statutes.

Complete The Bill Of Sale And Title Documents

Upon obtaining a certificate of title from the Clerk of Courts, the possessor becomes the legal owner and may execute a bill of sale when transferring the vehicle to a purchaser. No specific state form is required for the bill of sale; however, the certificate of title issued by the Clerk of Courts serves as proof of ownership. If the vehicle is sold, provide the buyer with a copy of the certificate of title. The buyer must present this title to the Clerk of Courts if a transfer of title is needed.

Apply For Title

Present the completed and notarized Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Affidavit (Form BMV 4202) for repair garage or storage facility claims, or Unclaimed Motor Vehicle Affidavit for Tows Ordered by Law Enforcement, Dealer, or Repair Facility (Form BMV 4205) for law enforcement tows and dealer or repair facility removal authorizations (depending on the vehicle category) to the Clerk of Courts title office located in the county where the vehicle is currently stored or located. Locate the county title office through the Ohio BMV title office search. The affidavit must be notarized and must include an itemized statement of the vehicle's fair market value using a vehicle valuation guide generally recognized in the industry, the length of time the vehicle remained unclaimed, documentation that notice was sent to owner and lienholder(s), confirmation that a title search was conducted, and proof of receipt of notice or documentation of failed delivery.

Upon receipt and verification of the affidavit, the Clerk of Courts will issue a certificate of title in the name of the applicant. The title is issued free and clear of all liens and encumbrances.

Special Rules For Salvage, Rebuilt, Or Inoperable Vehicles

Ohio law does not impose special restrictions or additional requirements for salvage vehicles, rebuilt vehicles, or inoperable vehicles obtained through the unclaimed vehicle affidavit process. If the vehicle's certificate of title, prior to abandonment, carried a salvage or other brand designation, that brand may be carried forward on the new title, depending on the vehicle's condition and history. Consultation with the Clerk of Courts' title office is recommended if the title brand status is uncertain.

Maintain Records

Maintain all records related to the unclaimed vehicle claim for a minimum of 3 years from the date title is obtained. Required records include copies of the notice(s) sent to owner and lienholder(s), certified mail receipts or electronic tracking confirmations, proof of delivery or documentation of failed delivery, the title search results, the vehicle valuation documentation, the notarized affidavit, and the certificate of title issued by the Clerk of Courts. These records are subject to verification by the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles.

Ohio Storage Fees And Financial Considerations

Towing And Recovery Charges

The maximum towing fees permitted, effective January 1, 2026, under Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4901:2-24-03 are established by the manufacturer's gross vehicle weight rating:

• Vehicles under 10,001 pounds: maximum towing fee of $144.
• Vehicles 10,001 to 26,000 pounds: maximum towing fee of $247.
• Vehicles over 26,000 pounds: maximum towing fee of $410.

Towing services may charge only the reasonable cost of removal and delivery, not to exceed these maximums. No additional removal or transportation fees are permitted.

Storage Fee Rules

Storage charges assessed by a commercial towing service or a unit of government are regulated by the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio under Ohio Administrative Code rule 4901:2-24-03 and are limited to the following maximums, effective January 1, 2026:

• Vehicles under 10,001 pounds: maximum storage fee of $22 per day.
• Vehicles 10,001 to 26,000 pounds: maximum storage fee of $38 per day.
• Vehicles over 26,000 pounds: maximum storage fee of $82 per day.

Storage charges accrue from the date the vehicle is taken into custody and may only be charged for actual storage services provided. The calculation of the vehicle's fair market value used in the affidavit excludes both towing and storage fees; these costs are deducted separately from sale proceeds if the vehicle is subsequently sold. No fees beyond towing, storage, and agreed-upon repair costs are permitted under the unclaimed vehicle statutes.

Disputes Over Charges

State law does not prescribe a formal dispute-resolution process for disagreements over towing or storage fees charged in connection with unclaimed-vehicle removal. However, all charges must comply with the fee maximums established by the Public Utilities Commission. If an owner or lienholder disputes the reasonableness of charges, the first step is to communicate with the towing service or storage facility. If the charges exceed the regulatory maximums, the Public Utilities Commission or local law enforcement may be contacted. During the dispute period, the abandonment waiting period does not restart, and if the owner or lienholder wishes to recover the vehicle, all accrued charges must be paid in full.

Sale Proceeds And Excess Funds

After the certificate of title is issued, if the possessor sells the vehicle, all proceeds from the sale belong to the possessor as the legal owner. Proceeds must be applied first to satisfy any towing, storage, and repair charges incurred. The possessor is not required to remit any funds to the state or county, as the vehicle value was already accounted for through the fair market value calculation and affidavit process. If a lienholder is identified and has not had its lien satisfied, the lienholder's rights may be asserted through legal action, but such claims do not affect the title transfer process once the affidavit is filed and title is issued.

Contact Information

Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
1970 West Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43223
Phone: (844) 644-6268
Official Website: Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles