If you’re in the Grand Rapids metro with a car that’s missing both the keys and the title, you can still donate—it just takes two simple steps. The keys are not a deal-breaker. As long as a tow truck can safely reach the vehicle, River City Rides can arrange a flatbed to load and remove your car without keys and at no cost to you. You’ll still receive a tax receipt for your donation, just like any other donor.
The title is the critical piece. In Michigan, a vehicle usually must have a valid, signed title before it can be donated or transferred. That means your first move is to apply for a duplicate title through the Michigan Secretary of State. Once your duplicate title arrives—typically within a few weeks—you sign it over, and River City Rides schedules your free pickup anywhere in the Grand Rapids area, from Eastown and Alger Heights to Wyoming, Kentwood, Walker, or Comstock Park. We’ll note that the vehicle has no keys so the towing partner arrives with the right equipment. From there, your problem car becomes support for Heritage for the Blind, and you get to clear your driveway without paying a dime.
How to get your free pickup scheduled
1. Confirm your car’s location and tow-truck access
Before anything else, make sure a flatbed tow truck can reach your vehicle where it sits—driveway in East Grand Rapids, alley in Midtown, or a lot in Wyoming. It doesn’t need to run and it doesn’t need keys, but it does need safe access. Note if it’s blocked in, on a slope, or in a garage so we can plan the right type of pickup later.
2. Apply for a Michigan duplicate title right away
The title is the one thing that must be fixed before you can donate. Visit a Michigan Secretary of State office or their website to request a duplicate title for your vehicle. There’s a small state fee, and processing typically takes 1–4 weeks. Use your Michigan driver’s license and VIN; if needed, you can find the VIN on insurance papers or registration.
3. Hold onto any paperwork and wait for the title
While the duplicate title is in process, keep any registration, old insurance cards, or service records. They’re not required to donate, but they can help confirm information if the state has any questions. Once your new Michigan title arrives in the mail at your Grand Rapids address, do not sign it until we’ve given you simple, state-specific signing instructions.
4. Call River City Rides and mention you have no keys
Once you have the duplicate title in hand, contact River City Rides. Let us know upfront that the car has no keys and whether it starts or rolls. We’ll schedule free pickup anywhere in the Grand Rapids metro and assign a towing partner with a flatbed or appropriate gear so your keyless vehicle can be safely loaded and removed.
5. Sign the title and hand the car over at pickup
At pickup, you’ll sign your new Michigan title following the exact instructions we provide, then hand it to the driver. You do not need keys to complete the donation. The tow is 100% free, and your vehicle will be transported for auction or recycling to support Heritage for the Blind’s programs for people who are blind or visually impaired.
6. Receive your tax receipt and keep it for your return
After the vehicle is sold, you’ll receive a tax receipt from Heritage for the Blind. Most donors can claim at least a $500 deduction; for amounts over $500, the charity provides IRS Form 1098-C details. Keep your receipt with your tax paperwork. Your “problem” car in Grand Rapids becomes a meaningful charitable gift at no out-of-pocket cost to you.
Potential complications to watch for
Your name must match the name on the Michigan title record
Tip: If the old title wasn’t in your name—maybe it was a parent’s car in Creston or a relative’s car in Kentwood—you may not be able to get a duplicate without extra steps, like showing estate paperwork or a bill of sale. Check that the Secretary of State has your name on record for the vehicle before requesting a duplicate.
Vehicles blocked in or stuck in garages may need planning
Tip: Keyless doesn’t stop a donation, but access can. If your car is in a narrow Eastown driveway, a tight garage, or behind another vehicle, towing can be more complex. Let us know the details when you call. We’ll note any obstacles so the tow company can bring the right truck and equipment, or discuss options if movement is limited.
Out-of-state or branded titles can change the timeline
Tip: If your title is from another state or marked salvage, rebuilt, or similar, the Michigan Secretary of State may have additional requirements for issuing a duplicate. This doesn’t usually prevent donation, but it can slow things down. When in doubt, ask the state office what’s needed and tell us what they say so we can plan accordingly.
Delays in opening your Michigan mail can stall everything
Tip: Duplicate titles are mailed to the address on file. If you’ve recently moved from, say, Heritage Hill to Walker and haven’t updated your license or registration, the title could go to your old address. Update your address with the Secretary of State first, or make sure you can receive mail there, so you actually get the new title when it’s issued.