N.J. Admin. Code § 13:21-11.6 - Application for Certificate of Title

(a) Prior to conducting an auction for the sale of the abandoned vehicle, the applicant must first obtain an Application for Certificate of Title from the Commission. In order to obtain an Application for Certificate of Title from the Commission, the applicant must submit the following to the Commission:

1. Proof of ownership and lienholder information. A lien search request must be obtained from the Commission and returned to the Commission properly executed and accompanied by the appropriate fee for the lien search;

i. If there is no record of ownership of the abandoned vehicle in New Jersey, the applicant may perform a lien search with the National Motor Vehicle Title Information System (NMVTIS). If no record is found or the applicant cannot or does not choose to search NMVTIS, the applicant must perform a lien search in each of the following states and return the lien search results to the Commission: New York, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Connecticut, and Maryland.

ii. The Commission may also require an applicant to perform a lien search in any state where the abandoned vehicle is titled, registered, or primarily operated in, and submit the lien search results to the Commission;

2. A detailed, notarized affidavit stating the following:

i. How the abandoned vehicle came into the applicant's possession;

ii. The address where the vehicle was abandoned;

iii. How long the abandoned vehicle has been in the applicant's possession;

iv. The abandoned vehicle's year, make, and vehicle identification number;

v. The applicant's name, address, and daytime telephone number; and

vi. The steps taken by the applicant to locate the abandoned vehicle's owner;

3. A copy of the completed Abandoned Vehicle 90-Day Notice and the original proof of mailing. The Abandoned Vehicle 90-Day Notice must be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the owner(s) and any lienholders reported on any lien searches required pursuant to this subchapter. If the certified mail is undeliverable or unclaimed, the notice must be sent by regular mail. If the Abandoned Vehicle on Private Property-90 Day Notice is returned to the applicant, the original unopened, undelivered envelope showing the U.S. Postal Service notation indicating the reason(s) for non-delivery must be submitted to the Commission;

4. A pencil tracing or a photograph of the abandoned vehicle's vehicle identification number; and

5. One photograph each of the front, back, passenger, and driver's side of the abandoned vehicle.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:21-11.6

Adopted by 51 N.J.R. 1282(a), effective 8/5/2019