How the car donation process works
Start with what you have
Begin by checking for the vehicle title, current registration, lien release, and your photo ID. For most Arizona car donations, the title is the key document used to transfer ownership to Heritage for the Blind. The name on the title should match the person authorized to donate the vehicle. If the paperwork is not perfect, do not give up. Desert Wheels can review your situation before pickup and let you know what may be needed. This is especially helpful if the car is parked in Phoenix, Tucson, Mesa, Glendale, or a rural Arizona area and you want clarity before scheduling.
If the title is lost, ask before replacing it
A clean title is preferred, but a lost title does not always mean you cannot donate. Heritage for the Blind can help you understand the state process for a replacement or other accepted documentation, depending on your situation. In some cases, vehicles without titles can still be accepted, so it is worth calling before making a DMV trip. Be ready to share the vehicle year, make, model, VIN if available, and where it is located. Desert Wheels will help determine the next best step and whether free towing can be arranged while the paperwork is being resolved.
Clear any lien before donation
If a bank, credit union, finance company, or other lender is listed on the title, that lien must be satisfied before the vehicle can be donated. Contact the lender and ask what is required to release the title. Once the loan is paid off or the lender has issued a lien release, keep that release with the title paperwork for pickup. Desert Wheels cannot transfer a vehicle away from a lienholder without proper release documentation. If you are not sure whether the lien is active, call first and we will help you identify what to ask the lender.
Handle names, heirs, and out-of-state titles
The person donating should have legal authority to sign the title. If the title is in someone else's name, or in the name of a deceased spouse, parent, or relative, additional paperwork may be needed. Depending on the state and estate situation, that could include probate documents, a small-estate affidavit, or an affidavit of heirship. Desert Wheels can explain what to look for before pickup. If the vehicle has a title from another U.S. state, that is usually workable. Foreign-state titles are commonly accepted as long as the ownership chain is clear.
Sign the title at pickup and keep your records
When your Arizona donation is scheduled, the tow driver comes to the vehicle location and brings the pickup paperwork. You will sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind at pickup, and the driver will handle the towing portion from there. Free towing is available in many Arizona communities, including suburbs such as Peoria, Surprise, Avondale, Queen Creek, Oro Valley, and Prescott Valley. After the title handoff, a DMV visit is typically not required for the donor, though you should keep copies of your donation paperwork and follow any plate or notice rules that apply to you.
Key facts about car donation
A clean title is preferred, but Heritage for the Blind can guide many lost-title situations.
Any active lien must be released by the lender before the vehicle can be donated.
The title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind when the tow driver arrives.
Out-of-state U.S. titles can often be accepted when the ownership paperwork is clear.
Vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted; call Desert Wheels to discuss your details.
For vehicles over $500, Heritage for the Blind provides IRS Form 1098-C as required.