How the car donation process works
Start with the title you have
The easiest donation is a vehicle with a clear title in your name, but do not assume you are stuck if the paperwork is imperfect. When you contact RideRebirth, have the title, registration, or any ownership documents nearby so the team can review the situation. Your vehicle can usually be scheduled for free pickup throughout Seattle and the Puget Sound region, including Everett, Kirkland, Federal Way, and Bremerton. If the car qualifies, the final title assignment will be made to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446, the nonprofit receiving your donation.
If the title is lost, call before you worry
Lost title? Heritage for the Blind can help you navigate your state process and explain what may be needed before pickup. In many cases, donors can request a replacement title, complete a state form, or provide other documentation depending on where the vehicle is titled. Requirements can vary, so the best move is to call and describe your exact situation before spending time at an office or ordering unnecessary paperwork. Vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted, but they must be reviewed first.
Resolve any lien before donation
If a bank, credit union, or finance company is listed on the title, that lien must be satisfied before the vehicle can be donated. This usually means the loan is paid off and the lender releases the title or provides a lien release document. If you are unsure whether the lien is active, contact the lender directly and ask what they need to release the ownership interest. RideRebirth can explain the donation side, but only the lender can confirm payoff and release status.
Make sure the right person can sign
The person named on the title usually needs to sign the vehicle over. If the car is in a spouse's, parent's, or another person's name, the donation may require that owner to sign or that you provide legal authority to sign for them. If the titled owner is deceased, you may need probate documents, a small-estate affidavit, or an affidavit of heirship, depending on the state and the estate situation. Call before pickup so the correct paperwork is ready and the tow does not need to be rescheduled.
Sign the title over at pickup
At pickup, the tow driver brings the donation paperwork and will collect the title or approved ownership documents. You will sign the title over to Heritage for the Blind, not to RideRebirth or the tow company. The driver then transports the vehicle, and the donation paperwork continues from there. Out-of-state titles are accepted, so a Washington address does not automatically require a Washington title. Typically, no DMV visit is required after the title handoff, though you should keep copies and follow any state-specific notice instructions provided.
Receive tax paperwork after the donation
Your donation supports Heritage for the Blind, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, EIN 58-2164446. After the vehicle is processed, you will receive the appropriate tax documentation. For vehicles that sell for more than $500, IRS Form 1098-C is issued according to IRS rules. RideRebirth does not give tax advice or promise a deduction amount, but the documentation helps you and your tax professional understand what was reported. The whole goal is a clean, simple transfer with free towing and clear donor support.
Key facts about car donation
A clean title is preferred, but lost-title situations can often be reviewed before you rule out donating.
Any active lien must be paid off or released by the lender before the donation can move forward.
At pickup, the title is signed over to Heritage for the Blind, EIN 58-2164446.
Out-of-state titles are accepted for Seattle and Puget Sound donors when ownership is properly documented.
Vehicles without titles can sometimes be accepted, but you should call first to discuss your exact paperwork.
After the title handoff, donors typically do not need a DMV visit unless state rules require extra notice.