Transfer on Death (TOD) Designation

🚗📋 BUREAU OF MOTOR VEHICLES REMINDS CUSTOMERS ABOUT TRANSFER ON DEATH (TOD) VEHICLE TITLE DESIGNATIONS

What is a Transfer on Death (TOD) Designation?

A Transfer on Death (TOD) designation allows an eligible vehicle owner to name a beneficiary who may assume ownership of a vehicle upon the owner’s death, helping to streamline the vehicle ownership transfer and avoid lengthy probate proceedings.

A TOD designation may be added, changed, or removed while the owner is living and provides an important estate planning option for vehicle owners.

👤 Who Is Eligible?

✅ Individual vehicle owners

❌ Businesses

❌ Corporations

❌ Partnerships

❌ Other non-individual entities

Important: The TOD designation must be completed and approved by the BMV before the vehicle owner’s death.

📄 Documents Required to File a TOD Designation

Please submit:

✅ Completed Transfer on Death (TOD) Form

✅ Original Vehicle Title

✅ Current Vehicle Registration

✅ Valid Government-Issued Photo ID for all owner(s)

Note: Original title, registration, and identification must also be presented when adding or removing a beneficiary.

🔒 Lienholder Requirements

⚠️ Vehicles with outstanding liens are not eligible for a TOD designation.

✔️ All liens must be fully satisfied and released before ownership can transfer to the designated beneficiary.

🏛️ After the Owner’s Death

To transfer ownership, the beneficiary must provide:

✅ Certified Death Certificate(s) for all legal owners listed on the title

✅ Vehicle Title (if available)

✅ Valid Photo Identification

⚠️ Important Things Vehicle Owners Should Know

DO:

✅ Complete and submit the TOD application while all owners are living.

✅ Keep beneficiary information updated while you are alive.

✅ Contact the BMV if you have questions before filing.

DON’T:

❌ Wait until after the owner’s death to submit the TOD application.

❌ Write beneficiary names directly on the title.

❌ Submit incomplete applications.

❌ Assume TOD overrides joint ownership rights.

🚨 Special Reminder About Multiple Owners

If a vehicle has multiple owners:

➡️ All owners listed on the title must be deceased before the TOD beneficiary can take ownership.

➡️ If ownership is listed as “Owner A OR Owner B,” the surviving owner retains ownership rights regardless of any TOD designation.