The Vehicle Owner Release Form is the document in which the legal owner of a stored motor vehicle authorizes another person, an insurance company or an agent to take it out, and Fulton County lists it among the papers needed to get a vehicle out of impound. The county's impound page asks for it, or a notarized alternative, from anyone who is not the owner but is picking up a vehicle for the owner. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF; the original PDF and the release instructions are published by Fulton County.
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What is Vehicle Owner Release Form – Fulton County, GA?
The Vehicle Owner Release Form is a document from the Fulton County Marshal's Office in which the legal owner of a motor vehicle stored on property of A Tow, Inc. authorizes that company's personnel to release the vehicle to a named person, insurance company or agent.
The form has three blocks of information: the person or insurance company authorized to receive the vehicle (name, address, phone), the vehicle (year, make, model, color and VIN #), and the owner (name, driver's license number, address, phone). By signing, the owner also acknowledges two conditions printed on the form. An individual picking up the vehicle must present valid photo identification, and a drivable vehicle may be removed only by a person with a valid driver's license from a U.S. state.
On the county's Get Vehicle Out of Impound page, this form is one of the ways a person who is not the owner can show authority to collect a vehicle. The alternatives listed there are a notarized power of attorney or a notarized letter from the owner. The form is not the paperwork for a repossession, which the county page handles with a separate list of notarized and original documents.
Who needs to file Vehicle Owner Release Form – Fulton County, GA?
The main group is vehicle owners who cannot collect an impounded vehicle themselves and want someone else, or their insurance company, to pick it up. The owner completes and signs the form, and the person collecting it brings it along with the owner's documents.
- A person picking up a vehicle for the owner. The Fulton County impound page requires this person to carry the owner's original documentation plus a notarized Vehicle Owner Release Form, a notarized power of attorney, or a notarized letter from the owner.
- An owner in a hospital bed or detained in a prison or jail. The form says the owner must have it signed and witnessed by a legally certified or commissioned Notary Public.
- An insurance company or its agent. The form lets the owner name an insurance company, or an agent of it, as the party to receive the vehicle.
You do not need this form if you are the owner and collect the vehicle yourself; the county page asks the owner for original proof of ownership, insurance and a valid state ID instead. It is also not the form for repossession: a repossessing party must bring the documents listed under repossession on the county page.
When to file Vehicle Owner Release Form – Fulton County, GA
Use the form when the owner will not be present to collect the vehicle and has chosen someone to do it for them. The owner completes it before the pickup, and the authorized person presents it at the release location. The form and the county page print no separate deadline for it.
If the owner is authorizing the release from a hospital bed or while detained in a prison or jail, the signature must be made and witnessed by a Notary Public before the form is used. The county page also asks for a bill of sale from owners who purchased the vehicle within the last 25 days, so gather it before the pickup visit.
Documents you need
- The owner's proof of ownership: title or valid registration, original. The county page says no copies are accepted.
- A bill of sale, original, only if the owner purchased the vehicle within the last 25 days.
- Proof of current valid insurance, original, from the owner's documentation.
- A valid state ID of the owner, original, as listed on the county page.
- A copy of the owner's driver's license and of the motor vehicle registration card, certificate or Title, which the form says must accompany it.
- A notary's signature, date, printed name, commission expiration and stamp or seal, when the county page requires the form notarized for a non-owner or when the owner signs from a hospital bed or while detained in a prison or jail.
- For an individual picking up the vehicle: valid photo ID, which can be a U.S. state driver's license, U.S. state personal ID card, U.S. military ID card or U.S. passport with photo.
- For a vehicle in drivable condition: the person removing it must hold a valid driver's license from a U.S. state and show it on demand.
How to fill out Vehicle Owner Release Form – Fulton County, GA
Enter the owner's name in the statement
In the opening sentence, write the legal owner's name after "I," to confirm that you are the legal and rightful owner of the stored vehicle.
Name the authorized person or company
Under NAME (authorized person or Insurance Company), enter who will receive the vehicle, then ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE and PHONE.
Describe the motor vehicle
Under MOTOR VEHICLE INFORMATION, enter the YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, COLOR and VIN #.
Complete the owner information
Under OWNER INFORMATION, enter the owner's NAME, DRIV LIC #, ADDRESS, CITY, STATE, ZIP CODE and PHONE.
Read the identification conditions
Review the two paragraphs that follow: an individual receiving the vehicle must show valid photo ID, and a drivable vehicle can be removed only by someone with a valid U.S. state driver's license.
Prepare the documents to accompany it
Gather a copy of your driver's license and the motor vehicle registration card, certificate or Title that the form says must accompany it, and the original documents the county page requires.
Sign and date as the owner
Sign on the line for MOTOR VEHICLE OWNER'S SIGNATURE and enter the DATE. If you are in a hospital bed or detained in a prison or jail, sign before a notary.
Have the notary complete the form
When notarization applies, the notary adds MY COMMISSION EXPIRES ON, signature, date, printed name and the notary stamp or seal.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check names, VIN and driver's license number against your documents, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF and take it to the release location listed under How to submit.
How to submit Vehicle Owner Release Form – Fulton County, GA
The form is presented in person at the location that handles the impound, together with the owner's original documents. The form itself names no mailing address or online channel. The Fulton County impound page lists these locations:
- Vehicles impounded by the Marshal's Department: Fulton County Marshal's Department, 160 Pryor St SW, Suite J-102, Atlanta GA 30303, Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., 404-612-4451. Releases are only done there.
- Vehicles impounded by the Fulton County Sheriff's Office: Fulton County Sheriff's Office, 185 Central Avenue, S.W., 9th Floor, Atlanta GA 30303, Monday thru Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., 404-612-5100. Releases are only done there.
- Vehicles impounded by the Fulton County Police Department: S & W Towing, 2559 Jonesboro Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30315, 404-622-8360.
The county page states that all documents must be original and that no copies will be accepted. The form also says copies of the owner's driver's license and registration must accompany it, so call the release location to confirm what to bring. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Bringing only copies of the owner's documents when the county page says all documents must be original and no copies will be accepted.
- Leaving out the copy of the owner's driver's license and the registration card, certificate or Title that the form says must accompany it.
- Skipping the notary when the owner signs from a hospital bed or while detained in a prison or jail; the form requires the signature witnessed by a Notary Public.
- Sending a person whose photo ID is not a U.S. state driver's license, state ID card, U.S. military ID or U.S. passport with photo.
- Sending someone without a valid U.S. state driver's license to remove a vehicle that is in drivable condition.
- Using this form for a repossession, which the county page handles with a notarized hold harmless letter, affidavit and other documents.
- Going to the wrong location: Marshal's Department and Sheriff's Office releases are only done at their own offices, and Fulton County Police impounds go to S & W Towing.
- Forgetting the original bill of sale when the vehicle was purchased within the last 25 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Vehicle Owner Release Form used for?
The owner of a stored vehicle uses it to authorize a named person, insurance company or agent to take the vehicle from the storage property. The Fulton County impound page lists it for people who are not the owner but are picking up a vehicle for the owner.
Does the Vehicle Owner Release Form have to be notarized?
Yes in two cases. The form requires a notary when the owner authorizes the release from a hospital bed or while detained in a prison or jail. The county page also asks a non-owner for a notarized Vehicle Owner Release Form, or a notarized power of attorney or letter.
What do I bring to pick up a vehicle for the owner?
Bring the owner's original title or valid registration, proof of current valid insurance and valid state ID, plus a bill of sale if the vehicle was bought in the last 25 days. Add the notarized release form, power of attorney or notarized letter. Copies are not accepted.
Where do I take the Vehicle Owner Release Form?
It depends on who impounded the vehicle. Marshal's Department impounds: 160 Pryor St SW, Suite J-102, Atlanta GA 30303. Sheriff's Office: 185 Central Avenue, S.W., 9th Floor. Fulton County Police: S & W Towing, 2559 Jonesboro Road SE, Atlanta, GA 30315.
Can I use a letter instead of the release form?
The county page accepts a notarized power of attorney or a notarized letter from the owner instead. The letter must include the vehicle year, make, model and VIN, and state that the owner will not hold Fulton County or the Fulton County Marshal's Department liable for the release.
Can anyone drive the vehicle away after release?
Not necessarily. The form says that if the vehicle is in drivable condition, only a person with a valid driver's license from a U.S. state may remove it, and that person must show proof of the license on demand.
Is this the form for a repossession?
No. The county page gives repossession its own list of original documents: a notarized hold harmless letter, the contract between lien holder and owner, the title, a notarized affidavit that the owner is in default, and a notarized form naming who will pick up the vehicle.
Can I fill out the Vehicle Owner Release Form online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is an independent service, is not connected to Fulton County and does not submit the form; you present it at the release location yourself.
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