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How do you transfer a car title when the owner has died?

To transfer a car title when the owner has died, the route depends on the state and the estate: a named Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary, a simpler route for a spouse or a small estate, or probate. In Wisconsin a surviving spouse uses form MV2300, and in Missouri a spouse or unmarried minor child can use Form 2305.

Not a government website. Not legal advice.

Updated · Checked to against official state sources

For a spouse, child, heir or executor dealing with a car owned by someone who died.

Short answer: The usual routes are a Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary named on the title, a simpler route for a spouse or small estate, or probate through an executor. Which one applies depends on the state and the estate.

If the estate is in probate or family members disagree, talk to the probate court or a lawyer before signing anything.

Printable checklist: routes, documents and title office steps

Car title transfer after death by state

We cover 38 state guides so far. Each row lists the routes and forms the state publishes and the usual title fee, with the page we checked. Some states waive the fee for a spouse, so check your state guide.

Not confirmed yet: we could not find this on an official page. Being checked: we found it but cannot yet point to the exact line. Check with the source linked in each row. How we check

StateRoutesFormsTransfer on death?Title feeSource
AlabamaA probated estate; An estate that will not be probated; No power of attorneyMVT 5-6 Next of Kin AffidavitNot confirmed yet$15revenue.alabama.govsource 2source 3 checked
AlaskaJoint owners joined by "OR"; The estate goes through probate; A small estate of $150,000 or less; Every route827 Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or LessNot confirmed yet$15dmv.alaska.govsource 2 checked
ArkansasHeirs, when the estate is not probated; A beneficiary named on the title; An estate with a court case10-306 Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor Vehicle
Certificate of Title with Beneficiary		Yes, a named beneficiary route$10dfa.arkansas.govsource 2source 3source 4 checked dfa.arkansas.gov checked
CaliforniaNo probate, and the estate is under the value limit; The estate is over the limit or goes through probate; The owner named a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiaryREG 5 Affidavit for Transfer without Probate (California titled vehicle or vessel only)Yes, a named beneficiary route$15dmv.ca.govsource 2source 3 checked dmv.ca.gov checked
ColoradoSuccessors of a small estate; The owner named a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiaryDR 2712 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property Pursuant to Small Estate ProceedingYes, a named beneficiary routeNot confirmed yetdmv.colorado.gov checked dmv.colorado.gov checked
DelawareAn estate with an executor; A small estate, with no executor; The owner named a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiaryMV11 Survivor's Transfer Form for a VehicleYes, a named beneficiary routeBeing checkeddmv.de.govsource 2source 3 checked
FloridaSurviving spouse; HeirsHSMV 82152 Application for Surviving Spouse Transfer of Florida Certificate of Title for a Motor VehicleNot confirmed yet$75.25flhsmv.govsource 2source 3source 4 checked
GeorgiaThe title names joint owners with rights of survivorship; An executor has Letters Testamentary, or there is a Year's Support order; No will and no estate administrationForm T-20 Affidavit of Inheritance of a Motor VehicleNot confirmed yet$18dor.georgia.govsource 2source 3 checked dor.georgia.gov checked
IdahoA surviving spouse on an "OR" title; An heir, when there is no will and no probate; A small estate; A personal representative after probateITD 3414 Affidavit of Inheritance
ITD 3413 Small Estate Affidavit		Not confirmed yet$14 plus a county feeitd.idaho.govsource 2 checked itd.idaho.govsource 2 checked
IndianaA transfer on death beneficiary; Heirs of a small estate with no personal representativeState Form 18733 Affidavit for Transfer of Certificate of Title for a Vehicle/Watercraft Without AdministrationYes, a named beneficiary route$15in.govsource 2source 3 checked forms.in.gov checked
KansasA transfer on death beneficiary named on the title; Heirs, with no transfer on death beneficiaryTR-82 Transfer on Death AffidavitYes, a named beneficiary route$10ksrevenue.govsource 2 checked
LouisianaA court succession; A small succession; An Affidavit of Heirship; Signing the titleAffidavit of HeirshipNot confirmed yet$68.50expresslane.la.govsource 2source 3 checked
MarylandA surviving joint owner keeping the car; A surviving spouse with no estate administration; An heir, legatee or executor; A named beneficiaryVR-481 Application for Exemption from Estate Administration to Transfer a Decedent’s VehicleYes, a named beneficiary route$200mva.maryland.govsource 2source 3source 4 checked
MinnesotaA transfer on death title; Other transfers at death; A surviving spouse; No spouse, and no probate; The estate goes through probate; No legal heirs, and no probate; A will on its ownAssignment of a Vehicle to a Surviving Spouse/Not Subject to ProbateYes, a named beneficiary route$8.25revisor.mn.govsource 2source 3 checked dps.mn.gov checked
MississippiSpouses on the title; Heirs, when no will was probated; Executors and administrators78-014 Affidavit of Heirship for Motor VehicleNot confirmed yet$9dor.ms.gov checked dor.ms.gov checked
MissouriThe title names a Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary; A surviving spouse or unmarried minor child; No TOD beneficiary and no spouse routeForm 2305 Affidavit to Establish Title to Exempt PropertyYes, a named beneficiary route$8.50dor.mo.govsource 2source 3source 4 checked
NebraskaA transfer on death beneficiary; A surviving joint owner; A small estate, with no probate; A court-appointed representativeAffidavit for Transfer of Decedent's Vehicle/MotorboatYes, a named beneficiary route$10dmv.nebraska.gov checked
NevadaHeirs of a small estate, with no trust or probate; A transfer on death beneficiary; A family trust or probateVP 024 Affidavit for Transfer of Title for Estates Without ProbateYes, a named beneficiary route$28.50dmv.nv.govsource 2source 3 checked
New JerseySpouses or domestic partners on the title; A transfer on death beneficiary; An executor (there is a will); No will: a surviving spouse or partner, estate up to $50,000; No will: heirs, estate up to $20,000; A larger estateBA-62 Affidavit for surviving spouse or domestic partner
Transfer on Death Beneficiary Designation		Yes, a named beneficiary route$60nj.govsource 2source 3 checked
New MexicoA claiming successor, for a small estate; A legal heir or spouse, without probate; A personal representative named by a courtMVD-10013 Affidavit of Claiming Successor
MVD-10011 Certificate of Transfer Without Probate		Yes, a named beneficiary routeNot confirmed yetmvd.newmexico.gov checked
New YorkA surviving spouse, one car worth $25,000 or less; Children under 21 and no surviving spouse; Passing the car to someone else; More than one car, or a car worth more than $25,000MV-349.1 Affidavit for Transfer of Motor Vehicle
MV-349 Transfer of Vehicle Registered in Name of Deceased Person		Not confirmed yet$50dmv.ny.govsource 2source 3 checked
North CarolinaAn administrator or executor was appointed; No administrator, and a small estate; The car went to the surviving spouseMVR-317E Affidavit of Authority to Assign Title (electronic signing version)Not confirmed yet$66.75connect.ncdot.gov checked ncleg.gov checked ncdot.govsource 2 checked
North DakotaJoint owners with right of survivorship; A small estate of $100,000 or less; Other estatesSFN 2916 Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the DecedentNot confirmed yet$5nd.gov checked dot.nd.govsource 2 checked
OhioA transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary; Joint owners with right of survivorship; A surviving spouse; Joint owners without survivorshipBMV 3773 Clerk of Courts Surviving Spouse Affidavit
BMV 3811 Affidavit to Designate a Beneficiary		Yes, a named beneficiary route$18bmv.ohio.govsource 2 checked
OklahomaA transfer on death beneficiary; An heir of a small estate771 Transfer Upon Death Notice Application
405 Small Estate Affidavit		Yes, a named beneficiary route$11oklahoma.govsource 2source 3source 4 checked
OregonA surviving owner on a title with survivorship; Heirs when the estate is not probated; A personal representative during probate; After probate has closed735-516 Inheritance AffidavitNot confirmed yet$101oregon.govsource 2 checked
PennsylvaniaA joint owner with right of survivorship; An executor or administrator; A will that is not probated; No will, a surviving spouseMV-39 Notification of Assignment/Correction of Vehicle Title Upon Death of OwnerNot confirmed yet$72pa.govsource 2 checked
Rhode IslandA surviving spouse; An executor or administrator; Next of kin or parents, with no spouse and no executor; A small estateAffidavit and Assignment of Title (Sole Heir Affidavit)Not confirmed yet$53.50dmv.ri.govsource 2source 3 checked
South CarolinaA co-owner on an "or" title; A co-owner on an "and" title; A personal representative; An heir who is not on the title; A transfer on death beneficiaryTOD-1 Application for Transfer on DeathYes, a named beneficiary route$15dmv.sc.govsource 2 checked
South DakotaNo probate; Probate, title to an heir; Probate, selling the car; The owner named a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary1013 Affidavit of Vehicle Ownership by SuccessionYes, a named beneficiary route$10dor.sd.govsource 2 checked
TexasIf there was a will; If there was no willForm VTR-262 Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor VehicleNot confirmed yet$28txdmv.gov checked txdmv.gov checked
UtahA small estate: the Survivorship Affidavit; The estate goes through probate; Joint owners joined by ORTC-569C Survivorship AffidavitNot confirmed yet$6dmv.utah.govsource 2 checked
VermontSpouses who owned it together; Joint tenants or partners; A transfer on death title; The estate goes through probate; No probate; A surviving spouse, with no feeVT-021 Deceased Owner Informational Bulletin with Surviving Spouse StatementYes, a named beneficiary route$42dmv.vermont.govsource 2 checked
VirginiaA co-owner with right of survivorship; An executor or administrator; An heir with no executor; A transfer on death beneficiaryVSA 24 Certification of Authority to Transfer Virginia TitleYes, a named beneficiary route$15dmv.virginia.govsource 2source 3 checked
WashingtonThe estate is administered or probated; "Joint Tenants with Rights of Survivorship" is on the title; The estate isn't administered420-041 Affidavit of Inheritance/LitigationNot confirmed yet$15dol.wa.govsource 2 checked apps.leg.wa.gov checked
West VirginiaA surviving owner, names joined by "or"; A surviving owner, names joined by "and"; Heirs, with no will and no administrator; An estate with a willDMV-185-TR Legal Heir AffidavitNot confirmed yet$15dmv.wv.gov checked
WisconsinA surviving spouse or domestic partner; A joint owner; An heir of an estate of $50,000 or less; A personal representativeMV2300 Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner or HeirNot confirmed yet$214.50wisconsindot.govsource 2source 3 checked
WyomingJoint owners with right of survivorship; The survivor wants to sell; A transfer on death form was recorded; In Laramie County, a small estateAffidavit of DistributeeYes, a named beneficiary routeNot confirmed yetwyoleg.gov checked laramiecountywy.gov checked

Which route applies to me?

Check these in order. Your state guide shows which routes it has and the forms for each.

  1. Does the title name a transfer on death (TOD) beneficiary? Then the beneficiary can apply for the title. In Missouri, the beneficiaries apply with a signed title application, proof of death and the title that names them.dor.mo.gov checked
  2. Are you the surviving spouse? Some states have a shorter route for a spouse. In Wisconsin, a spouse or domestic partner can transfer up to 5 cars with form MV2300.wisconsindot.gov checked
  3. Is the estate small? Some states let heirs of a small estate transfer the car without probate. In Wisconsin, that is an estate of $50,000 or less.wisconsindot.gov checked
  4. None of these? The car usually goes through probate, and the executor or personal representative signs the title.

What documents do I usually need?

These papers come up in at least 3 of the state routes in the table below. Your state may differ, so check its guide.

  • Proof of death, such as a death certificate (named in 29 states)
  • The title (named in 31 states)
  • Letters of administration, letters testamentary or other court papers (named in 25 states)
  • An affidavit, such as a small estate or heirship affidavit (named in 26 states)

Do I need probate to transfer a car title?

Not always. It depends on the state, the estate and what the title says. In Missouri, a surviving spouse or unmarried minor child can take over one vehicle without a probate order.dor.mo.gov checked See the table for your state.

Can I sell the car before the title is transferred?

Some states allow it. In Missouri, Transfer on Death beneficiaries can sign the title over to a buyer without titling it first.dor.mo.gov checked In Wisconsin, an heir of a small estate can sign as heir to sell it.wisconsindot.gov checked Otherwise ask the state agency or the probate court. Title lost too? See how to replace a lost car title in any state.

Next steps for the family

Common questions

How do I transfer a car title when the owner is deceased?

Check the title for a Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary first, then whether a spouse or small estate route applies, and use probate if neither does. Your state's guide in the table lists the forms.

dor.mo.govsource 2 checked

Can a spouse transfer a car without probate?

In some states, yes. In Missouri a surviving spouse or unmarried minor child can take over one vehicle without a probate order. In Wisconsin a surviving spouse or domestic partner can transfer up to 5 cars that only the deceased owned with form MV2300.

dor.mo.gov checked wisconsindot.govsource 2 checked

What if the title is lost too?

The title usually has to be replaced first. In Virginia, if the owner has died, a legal heir, executor or administrator can sign the replacement application.

dmv.virginia.gov checked

Is there a fee?

It depends on the state. Wisconsin charges no title transfer fee for a qualifying spouse or partner. Check your state's guide for its fees.

wisconsindot.gov checked

Can I drive the car before the title is transferred?

Ask the insurer and the state agency first. The rules differ, so we do not give a general answer.

Sources for this page