In California, you need to file a specific “Release of Liability” form when donating a vehicle.

Donate Car For Charity Tip: Car donation facilities exist throughout California. Vehicles donated in California to a non-profit classified with the IRS as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization are deductible from your federal income taxes. In most cases, the state of California requires that the donor present the charity or donation program with the title of the vehicle. If you do not have title papers, you can still complete a California car donation by filling out the application for duplicate title form and by requesting a Registration History printout from the DMV. Visit the California Department of Motor Vehicles web site to obtain the necessary forms before donating a vehicle. The California DMV requires you as a donor to mail in the "Release of Liability" form that is attached to your title on the day that the car donation is processed and the vehicle is picked up by the donation service's agent. If you do not have a "Release of Liability" form, you can download one from the California DMV web site.