Yes, but only with a notarized Nevada DMV VP-136 Power of Attorney specifically authorizing vehicle transactions. Tow yards and repo companies will not release vehicles to non-owners without proper legal authorization, regardless of family relationship or emergency circumstances.

Common situations requiring notarized vehicle POA include:

• Military deployment: Active duty personnel stationed overseas or out of state
• Hospitalization: Medical emergencies preventing personal appearance (ICU, surgery recovery, extended care)
• Out-of-state residence: Vehicle repossessed while you're traveling or living elsewhere temporarily
• Incarceration: Jail or prison situations where personal retrieval is impossible
• Disability: Physical or cognitive conditions preventing tow yard visits

📋 VP-136 Requirements for Tow Yard Acceptance:

• Must be notarized by a Nevada notary with wet-ink signature and physical seal
• Must specifically authorize the named person to retrieve, drive, and sign release documents for the vehicle
• Must include complete vehicle description (year, make, model, VIN)
• Original notarized document required (photocopies typically rejected)
• Your agent must present their own valid government-issued ID matching the POA

⚠️ Hospital Notarization for Emergency Situations: If you're hospitalized in Sunrise Hospital, UMC, or other Clark County medical facilities, Lake Mead Mobile Notary provides bedside notarization service. We coordinate with hospital staff to notarize VP-136 forms while you're receiving treatment, preventing storage fees from accumulating during your recovery.

💰 Cost-Benefit Reality: Mobile notary service for VP-136 costs $45-60. Tow yard storage is $35-50 per day. If hospitalization or deployment prevents you from personally retrieving your vehicle for 7-10 days, you'll accrue $245-500 in storage fees. Notarizing a POA immediately and having someone retrieve the vehicle same-day saves hundreds of dollars.

🏥 Special Case - Incarcerated Owners: If you're incarcerated and your vehicle was repossessed or impounded, Nevada jails and detention facilities allow notary visits by appointment. We provide incarcerated owner vehicle release notarization at Clark County Detention Center and other facilities, enabling family members to retrieve vehicles using properly executed POA documents.

Related Questions

• What documents do I need to retrieve my car from a tow yard or impound lot?
• Can I get my personal belongings from a repossessed car without paying the full balance?
• What are the legal requirements for Nevada VP-136 Power of Attorney?

Only the principal (vehicle owner granting authority) must appear before the notary. The agent does not sign VP-136 and does not need to be present during notarization. Nevada DMV requires proper acknowledgment certificate with Nevada notary commission information, official seal impression, and original signatures only.

📋 Principal Requirements:

• Valid government photo ID (Nevada license, passport, state ID, military ID)
• Must be physically present before Nevada notary (no remote notarization)
• Must sign form in notary's presence (cannot pre-sign)
• Must be alert and understand the document's purpose
• Full legal name must match vehicle title exactly

✅ Form Completion Requirements:

• Principal and agent full legal names and addresses
• Vehicle year, make, model, and 17-character VIN (must match title)
• Specific powers granted (title transfer, registration, duplicate title, lien release)
• Nevada notarial acknowledgment certificate completed by notary
• Official Nevada notary seal impression (legible and complete)

⚠️ Common DMV Rejection Reasons:

• Missing or illegible notary seal
• Pre-signed forms (must sign in notary's presence)
• Incorrect VIN or vehicle description
• Out-of-state notary certificate (must be Nevada notary)
• Photocopied or faxed VP-136 (original required)

Related Questions

• Do all Nevada title transfers require notarization?
• How long is a notarized VP-136 valid?
• Can deployed military use VP-136?