Vehicle Licensing Guide

Application for Title for Forfeited Vehicles- Department of Justice Agencies
VLIC-110.3

PURPOSE:

To provide information and instruction on processing an Application for Certificate of Title of a forfeited vehicle from the Department of Justice or its investigative agencies using an Standard Form 97 (SF-97) as an ownership document.

BACKGROUND:

When the United States Department of Justice or one of its investigative agencies (e.g. Drug Enforcement Agency, Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives) sells a forfeited vehicle, they sell the owner's rights, title and interest in the vehicle including that of the secured party (lienholder) or co-owner. The previous lien (if applicable) will be deleted pending the customer's submission of a Standard Form 97 (SF-97) from the Department of Justice or one of its investigative agencies properly assigned to the customer and a certified copy of a Declaration of Forfeiture.

<<<<<REVISION
An odometer disclosure statement must be filled out. The certification portion of the disclosure statement asks the seller to certify that the correct odometer reading is:

• Actual, or
• Not Actual, the exact mileage is unknown and is not the actual odometer reading. An odometer discrepancy has occurred, or
• Exceeds, the odometer reading is more than can be shown on the equipment.   END REVISION>>>>>

CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS:

For a vehicle forfeited, the Department of Justice or one of its investigative agencies, submit the following:

1. An assigned and completed Standard Form 97 (SF-97).
2. An "Application for Certificate of Title and Registration" (VSA-17A)
.
3. Proof of address. (Refer to VLIC-3.530)
4. Appropriate fees.

DMV SERVICE PROVIDER'S PROCESS:

1. Review the application and verify that the customer has completed an "Application for Certificate of Title and Registration" VSA-17A.
2. Verify the properly assigned Standard Form-97 (SF-97).
   
   NOTE 1: The Standard Form 97 (SF-97) is not eligible to be reassigned. If a dealer purchases a vehicle and receives a SF-97, it must be titled in the dealership's name before reselling the vehicle.
   
   NOTE 2: The Standard Form 97 (SF-97) must be prepared using a typewriter or computer printing device.
3. Verify that the customer has an approved proof of address document. (Refer to (DMV-177 and VLIC-3.530.)
   
   NOTE: No proof of identification, residency, Social Security Number (SSN) or Federal Employer's Identification Number (FEIN) is currently required to title a vehicle.
4. Check documents for appropriate odometer disclosure statements. Refer to (VLIC-3.520.)
5. If a lien is on the vehicle, the applicant must provide a certified copy of the Declaration of Forfeiture to remove any liens.
   
   NOTE: If the vehicle has an electronic lien, all paperwork must be sent to Electronic Liens, Department of Motor Vehicles, Room 363, 2300 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220, to remove the electronic lien.


<<<<<REVISION

6. Process the title in the system. (Refer to VLIC-3.000.)
   • Ensure that the correct odometer reading and odometer code is entered into the system.
     
     IMPORTANT: The system will not allow an odometer reading to be recorded that is lower than the odometer reading recorded in the prior Virginia vehicle record or the odometer reading returned from NMVTIS. (Refer to VLIC-3.520.)   END REVISION>>>>>
   • A customer may request that an electronic record of their title be maintained by DMV.
     • An electronic record of the title will be maintained until the customer requests a title print, or the vehicle is sold.
     NOTE: If the customer requests that DMV retain an electronic record of the title, place a held on the record using held code CUST.
7. Collect the appropriate fees. For SUT exemptions, refer to VLIC-4.620.
8. Notify the customer of the following Virginia requirements:
1. State inspection must be performed on the vehicle and the state inspection sticker must be displayed on the windshield, if applicable
   
   AND
2. The locality sticker or decal must be displayed on the windshield, if applicable.
   
   NOTE: Some localities do not require a sticker/decal to be displayed on a vehicle, however payment of the local registration fee is still required. Check with the appropriate locality for requirements.
9. Inform the customer of the option to have DMV maintain an electronic record of their title. If they request this option, complete the transaction and give the customer the registration card that is generated for their record. Otherwise, give the paper title to the customer.
   
   NOTE 1: If the customer requests that DMV retain an electronic record of the title and returns at a later time to have a paper title printed, he must provide identification showing he is the registered owner of the vehicle. To print the paper title, refer to Requesting Paper Title below.
   
   NOTE 2: All liens, stops and helds must be satisfied and removed before the paper title may be printed.
10. Return any documentation presented that is not required for processing a title (e.g. marriage license, divorce decree, death certificate, and/or original power of attorney drafted by a law firm). These documents may be noted on the application but must be returned to the customer.
11. Prepare transaction documents with correct barcode coversheet and place in appropriate area for document preparation.

REFERENCE:

• 19 U.S.C. § 1609(b)

CONTACT:

For additional information contact:

• Your CSC Manager/Assistant Manager
• DMV DIRECT Help Desk at (804) 367-6646

PROCEDURE PROPONENT:

VSA/Dealer Services/Titling Work Center