Involuntary Lien Transfers and Abandoned Title Process

The Involuntary Lien process is a procedure that allows:

  • Landlords to apply for a title or junk a vehicle when the said vehicle is abandoned in Wisconsin on their property upon the tenant's removal from the leased premises.
  • Mechanics, Self-storage facilities or Towing Companies to apply for a title or junk a vehicle when money is owed to them for services rendered.

The Abandoned Title process is a procedure that allows:

  • Municipalities to sell or junk a vehicle left on a public highway, or private or public property, for more than 48 hours in first class cities and a period set by governing bodies of other municipalities which cause the vehicle to reasonably appear to have been deserted.

Involuntary Lien Process

What to do before applying for a title or junking a vehicle using the Involuntary Lien process:

  • It is required to have information on all legal owners and lien holder(s) of the vehicle and the currently titled state. You may be able to use form number MV2896, Vehicle/Driver Record Information Request, to obtain owner/lien holder information if the vehicle is titled in Wisconsin. If the vehicle is titled in another jurisdiction, you may attempt to obtain owner/lien holder information from there. If there is no record in any jurisdiction of the vehicle, you will need to go through the bonded process or a court order to re-title the vehicle.
  • You must provide all owners and lien holders notice, via certified mail, of your intent to sell or dispose of (junk) the vehicle if neither retrieve the vehicle (which may require payment for past services rendered) at least 20 days before you proceed. You must keep copies of your certified mail receipts including who the notifications are sent to and dates they are sent. These will need to be submitted with your Involuntary Lien application.
  • If the owner/lien holder does not take possession of the vehicle after you have sent them notification, you will need to either conduct a public sale or a private sale, where appropriate. Proof of public sale, which will need to be submitted with your Involuntary Lien application, must include the date(s) of the sale, the vehicle being bid on by the public and indicate you, as the seller, are conducting the public sale.
  • You must provide the customer with the completed Involuntary Lien application, a title application, and if the vehicle is model year 2011 or newer, an Odometer Disclosure form (MV2488). In addition, you will need to provide them all relevant additional documentation (based on your specific lien enforcement type below).

    NOTE: If the vehicle is being junked, you must contact your local police department to notify them of your intent to dispose of the vehicle.

Choose the process you are using below to view the list of items you need to submit with your application once the steps outlined above are complete:

  • Form MV2881 or MV2882.
  • Form MV1 if re-titling/selling the vehicle (not required to junk the vehicle).
  • Form MV2488 (if the vehicle is a model year of 2011 or newer).
  • A copy of the signed landlord rental agreement, on official letterhead, including:
    • Renter's name and signature.
    • The rental company or individual's name and signature.
    • Dates of the lease term.
    • Fees of the lease term.
  • A copy of the certified mail, sent to the owner(s) and lien holder(s) if applicable. If the vehicle is leased, notification is to be sent to the lessor.
  • A copy of the public sale notice if the vehicle is not being junked or sold privately. This should include:
    • The date(s) of the sale (if bidding time is more than one day, this would need to include the first day of bids until the last day)
    • The vehicle information (year, make and model)
    • Indication that you, as the seller, are conducting the public sale.
  • Proof of out of state owner/lien holder information if the vehicle is currently titled outside of Wisconsin.
  • A lien release, if applicable. If there is a lien on the vehicle and a lien release is not provided, the lien will be assumed to the new owner's title.
  • A check or money order.

  • Form MV2881.
  • Form MV1 or MV11 if re-titling/selling the vehicle (not required to junk the vehicle).
  • Form MV2488 (if the vehicle is a model year of 2011 or newer). Not required if form MV11 is submitted, but the odometer must be disclosed on that form.
  • A copy of the signed repair order bill including:
    • Name and address of the repair shop/location.
    • Name and address of the customer.
    • Year, make, model and license number of the vehicle.
    • Price and description for each repair item.
    • Signature of the customer authorizing repairs.
    • Date of the repair bill.
    • Signature of the repair shop/location representative.
  • A copy of the certified mail, sent to the owner(s) and lien holder(s) if applicable. If the vehicle is leased, notification is to be sent to the lessor.
  • A copy of the public sale notice if the vehicle is not being junked or sold privately. This should include:
    • The date(s) of the sale (if bidding time is more than one day, this would need to include the first day of bids until the last day)
    • The vehicle information (year, make and model)
    • Indication that you, as the seller, are conducting the public sale
  • Proof of out of state owner/lien holder information if the vehicle is currently titled outside of Wisconsin.
  • A check or money order.

  • Form MV2881.
  • Form MV1 or MV11 if re-titling/selling the vehicle (not required to junk the vehicle).
  • Form MV2488 (if the vehicle is a model year of 2011 or newer). Not required if form MV11 is submitted, but the odometer must be disclosed on that form.
  • A copy of the signed self-storage rental agreement, on official letterhead, including:
    • Name and address of the storage location.
    • Name and address of the customer.
    • Year, make, model of the vehicle.
    • Dates of the storage agreement.
    • Price of the agreed storage fees.
    • Signature of the customer.
    • Signature of the self-storage representative.
  • A copy of the certified mail, sent to the owner(s) and lien holder(s) if applicable. If the vehicle is leased, notification is to be sent to the lessor.
  • A copy of the public sale notice if the vehicle is not being junked or sold privately. This should include:
    • The date(s) of the sale (if bidding time is more than one day, this would need to include the first day of bids until the last day)
    • The vehicle information (year, make and model)
    • Indication that you, as the seller, are conducting the public sale
  • Proof of out of state owner/lien holder information if the vehicle is currently titled outside of Wisconsin.
  • A lien release, if applicable. If there is a lien on the vehicle and a lien release is not provided, the lien will be assumed to the new owner's title.
  • A check or money order.

  • Form MV2881.
  • Form MV1 or MV11 if re-titling/selling the vehicle (not required to junk the vehicle).
  • Form MV2488 (if the vehicle is a model year of 2011 or newer). Not required if form MV11 is submitted, but the odometer must be disclosed on that form.
  • A copy of the signed towing bill, on official letterhead, including:
    • Name and address of towing company.
    • Name of the customer.
    • Year, make, model of the vehicle.
    • Dates of the tow.
    • Accrued towing/storage fees.
    • Signature of the towing company representative.
  • A copy of the certified mail, sent to the owner(s) and lien holder(s) if applicable. If the vehicle is leased, notification is to be sent to the lessor.
  • A copy of the public sale notice if the vehicle is not being junked or sold privately. This should include:
    • The date(s) of the sale (if bidding time is more than one day, this would need to include the first day of bids until the last day)
    • The vehicle information (year, make and model)
    • Indication that you, as the seller, are conducting the public sale
  • Proof of out of state owner/lien holder information if the vehicle is currently titled outside of Wisconsin.
  • A lien release, if applicable. If there is a lien on the vehicle and a lien release is not provided, the lien will be assumed to the new owner's title.
  • A check or money order.

Abandoned Title Process

What to do before applying for a title or junking a vehicle using the Abandoned Title process:

  • It is required that the officer or warden notify the chief of police of the abandonment and location of the vehicle.
  • Within 24 hours of ordering the removal, the office or warden shall notify the towing service of the name and address or all owner(s) and lien holder(s). The only exception is if the municipality has a service agreement with the towing company, then the municipality is required to provide notice to the owner(s) lien holder(s) of the abandonment and towing of the vehicle.
  • You must provide all owners and lien holders notice, via certified mail, of intent to sell or dispose of (junk) the vehicle. If neither retrieve the vehicle (which may require payment for past services rendered) at least 10 days before you proceed. You must keep copies of your certified mail receipts including who the notifications are sent to and dates they are sent.

Select Abandoned Title Process below to view the list of items you need to submit with your application once the steps outlined above are complete:

  • Form MV2419 (must be provided by the municipality).
  • Form MV1 if re-titling/selling the vehicle (not required to junk the vehicle).
  • Form MV2488 (if the vehicle is a model year of 2011 or newer).
  • A check or money order.

To check for current lien holder information please see Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site – Lien holder search (wisconsindot.gov)

To request a driving record please see Wisconsin DMV Official Government Site - Purchase your own driver record (wisconsindot.gov)