How the car donation process works
Start with the title you have
A clean, signed title is preferred because it makes the transfer fastest. In most cases, the name on the front of the title should match the donor or authorized owner, and any required seller signatures must be completed exactly as instructed. Do not guess, cross out, or use correction fluid. If you are unsure where to sign, wait for guidance at pickup. Drive Change coordinates donations benefiting Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, and the tow driver will bring the standard pickup paperwork so the vehicle can be handed off properly.
Lost title? Call before you give up
If your Fort Worth vehicle title is missing, damaged, or packed away somewhere between moves, your donation may still be possible. Heritage for the Blind can help you understand the lost-title process for your state and what information may be needed before pickup. Some vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted, depending on the vehicle, state rules, and ownership situation. The best next step is to call and explain what you have: registration, insurance card, license plate information, or prior paperwork. A title issue does not automatically end the donation.
Resolve any lien before pickup
If a bank, credit union, finance company, or dealership is listed as lienholder, the lien usually must be satisfied before the title can be transferred. That means the loan must be paid off or the lender must issue a lien release or replacement title showing the lien is cleared. If you are not sure whether a lien remains, contact the lender listed on the title before scheduling pickup. Drive Change can still help you plan next steps, but Heritage for the Blind cannot receive clear ownership until the lender releases its legal interest.
Handle family, estate, or out-of-state titles carefully
If the vehicle is titled in a deceased spouse or parent name, extra paperwork may be required before donation. Depending on the state and estate situation, you may need probate documents, letters of administration, a small-estate affidavit, or an affidavit of heirship. If the title is from another state, that is usually workable; foreign-state titles are accepted as long as the ownership chain is clear and the document can be signed correctly. Because these situations vary, call before pickup so Heritage for the Blind can guide you on what to prepare.
Sign over the vehicle at free pickup
Once your paperwork is ready, free towing can be scheduled at a convenient Fort Worth-area location, whether the vehicle is at your home, apartment, workplace, repair shop, or storage lot. At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, and the tow driver brings the pickup documents for you to complete. After the handoff, a separate DMV visit is typically not required, though you should follow any state notice or plate-removal rules that apply. For vehicles sold for more than $500, IRS Form 1098-C is provided.
Key facts about car donation
Clean title preferred, but lost-title and no-title situations may still be reviewed case by case.
Any lien must be paid off or released by the lender before clear donation transfer.
At pickup, you sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Out-of-state titles are accepted when ownership is clear and signatures can be completed properly.
The tow is free throughout Fort Worth and many DFW Metroplex communities.
A DMV visit is typically not needed after the title handoff and pickup paperwork are complete.