Alabama Abandoned Vehicle Form PDF Details

The Alabama Department of Revenue manages the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Record Request process through Form MVT 32-13. This form allows individuals, businesses, and towing operators to obtain the current registered owner and lienholder information for vehicles that appear abandoned. Obtaining this information is required under the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act before you can legally notify the vehicle's owner or proceed with any title action.

Who Needs to Submit Form MVT 32-13

Several parties in Alabama may need Form MVT 32-13. Property owners who discover a vehicle left on their land can use it to identify the registered owner. Towing companies and impound lots holding unclaimed vehicles must obtain owner contact information before the vehicle can be processed under the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act. Private individuals who find an abandoned vehicle may also file this form to determine its ownership status.

The form is also used when someone wants to determine whether a vehicle qualifies for a title transfer. Before Alabama will issue a new title for an abandoned vehicle, the original owner must be notified. Form MVT 32-13 initiates that notification process by identifying who must be contacted.

What Information the Form Requires

To complete Form MVT 32-13, you will need the vehicle identification number (VIN) for each vehicle in your inquiry. The form accommodates multiple VINs on a single submission, making it practical for towing companies handling multiple abandoned vehicles at once. You must also provide your full legal name, complete mailing address, city, state, and ZIP code. The Alabama Department of Revenue will mail the results of the title search to this address.

The form also requires the requesting party's original signature and date. Both fields are required. Unsigned forms will not be processed by the Motor Vehicle Division.

Fee Structure and Payment Rules

The Alabama Department of Revenue charges a processing fee for each VIN search conducted through this form. The fee amount depends on whether the vehicle falls under Alabama title law requirements. Vehicles old enough to be exempt from Alabama's titling system may be subject to a different fee. Review the fee schedule included with the form to calculate the correct amount for your submission.

Payment must be made by check or money order payable to the Alabama Department of Revenue. The Department does not accept cash or credit card payments for this form. All fees are non-refundable, even if no title record is found for the VIN submitted. Include the exact payment with your completed form before mailing it.

Privacy Protections Under Federal Law

The Driver's Privacy Protection Act of 1994 restricts the disclosure of personal information contained in state motor vehicle records. The Alabama Department of Revenue follows these federal requirements when processing Form MVT 32-13 requests. The owner and lienholder information you receive may only be used for the purpose of complying with the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act. This means contacting the parties who must be notified before any further action is taken on the vehicle.

Using the information received for any other purpose may violate federal law. If you are unsure about your legal obligations under the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act, consult an attorney before proceeding with any vehicle action.

Related Forms and Next Steps

After receiving owner information from Form MVT 32-13, you may need additional documents to complete the abandoned vehicle process. If the vehicle is ultimately sold, a vehicle purchase agreement can document the transaction. For watercraft left on private property in Alabama, the Alabama boat bill of sale covers a similar ownership transfer process. Other states have equivalent procedures, including the Oregon abandoned vehicles form. Once ownership is resolved, you may need a vehicle registration form to register the vehicle in your name.

QuestionAnswer
Form NameAlabama Abandoned Vehicle Form
Form Length1 pages
Fillable?No
Fillable fields0
Avg. time to fill out15 sec
Other namesalabama title abandoned, abandoned title, abandoned vehicle title alabama, how to file for a title on a abandoned vehicle, MVT 32-13, abandoned motor vehicle record request

Form Preview Example

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE

MVT 32-13 3/13

MOTOR VEHICLE DIVISION

P.O. Box 327680 • Montgomery, AL 36132-7680 • mvrecords@revenue.alabama.gov

Abandoned Motor Vehicle Record Request

THIS FORM MAY BE DUPLICATED OR ADDITIONAL COPIES MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DEPARTMENT WEB SITE AT

www.revenue.alabama.gov/motorvehicle/forms.html

The undersigned hereby requests the current owner and lienholder information maintained by the Alabama Department of Revenue for the vehicle(s) listed below in order to comply with the noti- fication requirements of the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act, Code of Alabama 1975, Title 32, Chapter 13. The undersigned certifies that information received as a result of this request shall only be used to comply with the notification requirements of the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act, Code of Alabama 1975, Title 32, Chapter 13, and that the information received shall be considered confidential under the federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA) (Title XXX of Public Law 103-322) as amended by Section 350 of Public Law 106-69. The federal Driver’s Privacy Protection Act of 1994 (DPPA) (Title XXX of Public Law 103-322) as amended by Section 350 of Public Law 106-69 was enacted to protect the interest of individuals and their privacy by pro- hibiting the disclosure and use of personal information contained in motor vehicle registration and title records, except as authorized by such individuals or by law. Personal information is defined as “information that identifies a person, including an individual’s social security number, name, address (but not the 5-digit zip code), telephone number, and medical or disability information.”

The fee for the title and registration records including owner and lienholder information is $10.00 for each vehicle subject to the Alabama title law or $5.00 for each vehicle not subject to the Alabama title law*. The required fees are collected in accordance with Code of Alabama 1975, Section 32-8-6(a)(7), and Department Rule and Regulation 810-5-75-.31.02. PAYMENT

MAILED MUST BE IN CERTIFIED FUNDS PAYABLE TO THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF REVENUE. PERSONAL CHECKS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. DO NOT MAIL CASH. Cash may be received at the cashier’s counter located adjacent to Room 1202 in the Gordon Persons Building.

Please verify the vehicle identification number(s) and all other information prior to submitting the record request. An incorrect or illegible vehicle identification number will cause an incorrect record to be retrieved and will require that a new request form be executed and submitted with the fee for the correct vehicle search.

TYPE OR PRINT INFORMATION

VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER*

YEAR

MAKE

MODEL

AL LICENSE PLATE NO.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

**A. Total Number of Title/Registration Records

___________ X $10.00 = $_____________ Total Record Fees Due.

B.Total Number of Registration Records (non-titled vehicles only) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ___________ X $ 5.00 = $_____________ Total Record Fees Due.

C.Grand Total Record Fees (Payable to the Alabama Department of Revenue). . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A + B = $_____________

 

 

 

(

)

 

 

 

 

 

***REQUESTING INDIVIDUAL, COMPANY, ASSOCIATION OR FIRM (TYPE OR PRINT)

 

 

 

TELEPHONE NUMBER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ORIGINAL SIGNATURE OF REQUESTOR

DATE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDRESS

 

CITY

STATE

ZIP CODE

*All VINs for 1981 and subsequent year model vehicles that conform to federal anti-theft standards are required to have 17 digits/characters.

**NOTE: Title records are not available for trailers and manufactured homes more than 20 model years old or motor vehicles more than 35 model years old. Also, manufactured homes cannot be transferred under the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act. Do not submit this request form for manufac- tured homes.

***The requesting party listed on the Abandoned Motor Vehicle Record Request response form must be listed as the Seller on the corresponding title application whenever the vehicle is sold under the Alabama Abandoned Motor Vehicle Act.

— FEES ARE NOT REFUNDABLE OR TRANSFERABLE TO ANOTHER RECORD REQUEST —

How to Edit Alabama Abandoned Vehicle Form Online for Free

You can fill out the Alabama Abandoned Vehicle Form (MVT 32-13) online without downloading any software. Use the FormsPal PDF editor to complete the form in your browser, then print and mail it to the Alabama Department of Revenue with the required payment.

Steps to Complete the MVT 32-13 Form

Step 1: Open the form by clicking the "Get Form" button at the top of this page. The MVT 32-13 will load in the FormsPal PDF editor.

Step 2: Enter the vehicle identification number (VIN) for the abandoned vehicle. If you are filing for more than one vehicle, list each VIN separately. Verify each VIN against the vehicle's dashboard, driver-side door jamb, or existing title paperwork before entering it.

Step 3: Complete the requestor information section. Enter your full legal name, street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Double-check the address carefully. The Department of Revenue mails results to the address you provide, and errors will delay receipt of the title search information.

Step 4: Check the fee schedule on the form to determine how much is owed for each VIN search. Calculate the total for all VINs you are submitting. Prepare a check or money order made payable to the Alabama Department of Revenue for the correct total amount.

Step 5: Sign and date the form in the original signature section. The signature must be handwritten. Unsigned forms are rejected without processing.

Step 6: Print the completed form and make a copy for your records before mailing.

Step 7: Mail the signed form and your payment to the Alabama Department of Revenue Motor Vehicle Division at the mailing address listed in the form instructions.

How to fill in Alabama MVT 32-13 abandoned vehicle form step 1

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Be careful when entering the VIN. Transposing even one character will result in a failed search, and you will still be charged the non-refundable fee. Double-check the VIN against the vehicle before submitting.

Write the address legibly. An unreadable mailing address will delay or prevent delivery of the owner information you requested.

Do not send cash payments. The Alabama Department of Revenue only accepts checks and money orders for this form. Cash included in a mailed submission will not be processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Form MVT 32-13 used for?
Form MVT 32-13 is used to request the current registered owner and lienholder information for an abandoned vehicle in Alabama. This information is required before you can legally notify the owner and proceed with the abandoned vehicle process under state law.

How do I find the VIN on an abandoned vehicle?
The vehicle identification number is typically located on the driver-side dashboard (visible through the windshield) or on a sticker inside the driver-side door jamb. For older vehicles, the VIN may also appear on the engine block or on the vehicle's original title paperwork.

Can I submit the form by email or fax?
No. Form MVT 32-13 must be submitted by mail with an original signature and check or money order. The Alabama Department of Revenue does not accept fax or email submissions for this form.

What happens after I submit the form?
The Alabama Department of Revenue will conduct a title search for each VIN you submitted. If a title record is found, the Department will send you the registered owner's name and any lienholder contact details. You must then notify each party in writing before proceeding further with the abandoned vehicle process.

Are the fees refundable if no title record is found?
No. All fees submitted with Form MVT 32-13 are non-refundable regardless of the search outcome. This policy is stated clearly on the form itself.

Alabama abandoned vehicle MVT 32-13 form step 2 completion guide

Related Alabama Vehicle Forms

After completing the abandoned vehicle notification process, you may need other documents. FormsPal offers a vehicle registration form for registering a newly titled vehicle. For lost title situations, the lost car title form provides a starting point for replacing missing vehicle titles. Alabama residents handling other property transfers may also find the Alabama bill of sale templates useful for documenting personal property transactions.

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