Yes, in Michigan you can still donate a car that’s missing both the keys and the title. The missing keys are not a deal‑breaker as long as a tow truck can safely reach the vehicle. The title is the critical piece. Once you request and receive a duplicate Michigan title, Great Lakes Givers can schedule a flatbed tow, pick up your keyless car at no cost, and you’ll receive a federal tax receipt for your donation supporting Heritage for the Blind.
Here’s how it works for donors across Michigan—from Detroit, Dearborn and Southfield, to Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Lansing, Flint, Traverse City, Marquette and beyond. First, you apply for a duplicate title through the Michigan Secretary of State. That usually involves a small fee and a short wait. While that’s processing, we help you plan for tow‑truck access to your keyless vehicle—whether it’s tucked in a Detroit alley, a narrow driveway in Ann Arbor, or a barn outside Midland. Once the duplicate title arrives and you sign it over, we schedule free pickup with the right equipment to load a non‑running, keyless vehicle and handle the rest.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Confirm you’re the legal owner in Michigan
Before anything else, make sure the vehicle is (or was) titled in your name in Michigan. Check old registration cards, insurance documents, or loan payoff papers. If there’s a lienholder listed, you may need a lien release. Being the legal owner is what allows the Secretary of State to issue you a duplicate title so you can legally donate the vehicle.
2. Apply for a duplicate Michigan title right away
The title is the critical piece. Start a duplicate title request with the Michigan Secretary of State online or at a local branch in places like Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, or Lansing. There’s usually a small fee and a processing window that can range from about a week to several weeks. Once approved, your duplicate title will be mailed to you. Keep it safe—this is what you will sign over to complete your donation.
3. Call Great Lakes Givers while your title is processing
You don’t have to wait for the new title to contact us. While the duplicate title is being processed, reach out to Great Lakes Givers. Let us know the car has no keys and no title yet, and where it’s located—driveway in Sterling Heights, parking lot in Flint, side street in Hamtramck, or up north near Petoskey. We’ll confirm that your location allows tow‑truck access once you’re ready to schedule pickup.
4. Plan for keyless towing and access to the vehicle
Missing keys is not a problem if a tow truck can reach and load the car. We’ll arrange a flatbed that can winch a non‑running, locked or unlocked vehicle. When scheduling, clearly describe tight alleys, low garages, or soft ground so the dispatcher sends the right truck. Make sure the car isn’t blocked in by other vehicles or debris to avoid delays on pickup day.
5. Receive your duplicate title and sign it over
When your Michigan duplicate title arrives, sign it as the seller exactly as your name appears on the document. If there are multiple owners listed with “AND,” both must sign. Do not sign before it arrives—only sign the actual duplicate. Once it’s signed, we finalize your donation paperwork and lock in your free pickup window anywhere in Michigan, from Metro Detroit to the Upper Peninsula.
6. Free pickup, donation completed, and tax receipt issued
On pickup day, the tow operator loads your keyless vehicle onto a flatbed and collects the signed title. You pay nothing for towing—pickup is free across Michigan. After the vehicle is sold, Great Lakes Givers sends you a tax receipt for at least $500, and for larger deductions you’ll receive IRS Form 1098‑C. Your donation supports Heritage for the Blind and their services for people who are blind or visually impaired.
Potential complications to watch for
Co‑owners or old liens on the original title
Tip: If the last title showed two owners with an “AND,” both must sign the duplicate title to donate. If a bank or credit union once held a lien, you may need a lien release letter. Call the Michigan Secretary of State or the lender early to clear this up so your duplicate title is issued correctly and without extra delays.
Vehicle blocked in or inaccessible to a flatbed
Tip: Even though keys aren’t required, the tow truck still needs a clear path. Cars blocked by other vehicles, snowbanks, fences, or inside low‑clearance garages can slow or prevent pickup. Before scheduling, move anything blocking the route, arrange for other cars to be moved, and tell us about steep driveways or tight alleys so the right truck is dispatched the first time.
Out‑of‑state or lost‑track titles
Tip: If the car was last titled in another state before you moved to Michigan, you usually must request the duplicate from that state’s DMV, not Michigan’s. This can add time. Gather your VIN, old registration, and any proof of address history. Start the duplicate‑title request immediately and keep us posted so we can time your donation and pickup around the other state’s processing.
Name or address changes since the last title
Tip: If your name has changed through marriage, divorce, or otherwise since the last title, bring supporting documents (such as a marriage certificate or court order) when applying for the duplicate. The Secretary of State may need proof to match you to the prior record. Clarifying this at the start helps you receive the duplicate title smoothly and keeps your donation on track.