Vehicle Beneficiary Transfer on Death

General Information

Transfer on Death allows vehicle owners to add or remove a beneficiary to the title of a motor vehicle, trailer or semitrailer. The owners must be natural persons, not businesses.

Ownership of the vehicle passes to the beneficiary upon the death of all legal owners. The beneficiary must apply for a new title to complete the process. The new owner also must obtain a new registration in order to drive the vehicle on public streets.

The Transfer on Death designation must be added prior to the death of the legal owner. Nevada laws apply only to vehicles titled in Nevada. A vehicle titled in another state is subject to the laws of that state.

If a vehicle owner has already passed and there is no probate case or trust, heirs may be able to claim the vehicle using the Affidavit for Transfer of Title for Estates Without Probate (VP 024).

Adding or Removing a Beneficiary

Vehicles with a lienholder, lessor or titled as Tenants in Common may not carry a Transfer on Death beneficiary. A maximum of three vehicle owners and the beneficiary can be listed on a Certificate of Title.

Beneficiaries may be added (or removed) by a legal owner at any time, including during other transactions such as applying for a duplicate title or when removing a lienholder or buying out a lease. Multiple vehicle owners cannot each have a different beneficiary.

The owner must submit the Certificate of Title, a Transfer on Death Application (VP 239) and a $20 Title Fee. We will mail the new title with the beneficiary listed in approximately eight weeks. It is not necessary to renew or update the vehicle registration.

All owner(s) may have to sign the Transfer on Death Application (VP 239) depending on how they are listed on the title. Owners should not sign the title itself.

• If the title says 'person 1' AND 'person 2', all parties must sign the VP 239 form.
• If the title says 'person 1' OR 'person 2', either party can sign without the other.

If you do not have the existing Certificate of Title, you must submit an Application for Duplicate Title and, if necessary, a Lien Release. This is for vehicles that were last titled in Nevada. If the vehicle was last titled in another state, you must obtain a duplicate title from that state and then obtain a Nevada title.

You may submit the title or other forms, the Transfer on Death Application and title fee at any DMV Full Service Office or by mail.

If you choose the mail, for your protection, we suggest you use registered or certified mail. Please include an explanation letter with your full name, current address and daytime telephone number and Vehicle Identification Number. Mail this, the above documents and a check or money order payable to DMV or a Payment Authorization for $20 to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
Title Processing
555 Wright Way
Carson City, NV 89711

• Transfer on Death Application (VP 239)
• Payment Authorization Form (ADM 205)
• Application for Duplicate Nevada Certificate of Title (VP 012)
  This form is for use only if the vehicle was last titled in Nevada. If you are not sure whether your vehicle is titled in Nevada or if you do not have all of the information requested, please contact the Records Section for instructions. If your vehicle is titled in another state, you must obtain a duplicate from that state.
• Lien Release (VP 186)
  Releases an ownership interest held by a financial institution or other third party.

The procedures to remove or change a beneficiary are the same as above. Check the appropriate box on the Transfer on Death Application.

The beneficiary will be removed if a lienholder or lessor is later added to the title (e.g. a loan is taken out on the vehicle).

Transfer a Vehicle

Beneficiaries have no ownership interest in, or control of, the vehicle until after all owners have died. A beneficiary wishing to claim ownership of a vehicle must have a certified copy of the Death Certificate(s) of the owner(s).

The beneficiary must surrender the license plates. See Plate Surrender/Refunds. The deceased person's Driver License must also be surrendered to the DMV for cancellation.

The beneficiary must submit the Death Certificate(s) to the DMV along with the existing Certificate of Title and a $20 Title Fee.

If the title is not available, a Transfer On Death - Beneficiary’s Affidavit For Title (VP 241) form may be submitted in its place. An Application for Duplicate Title is not necessary.

• Transfer On Death - Beneficiary’s Affidavit For Title (VP 241)
• Payment Authorization Form (ADM 205)

Title Only

If you are transferring the title only, you may submit the title or VP-241, Death Certificate(s) and Title Fee by mail at the address above or at a DMV office. The new title will be mailed in approximately four to six weeks.

Vehicle Registration

The beneficiary must obtain insurance and a movement permit or vehicle registration to drive the vehicle on any public street.

You must register in person at a DMV office. Bring the following:

• Title or VP 241
• Death Certificate(s)
• Deceased Person's Driver's License or ID card if available
• Nevada Evidence of Insurance in the new owner's name
• Emission Inspection if required
• Current Odometer Reading
• Old license plates for surrender

You must obtain new license plates. You can get an Estimate of Registration Fees online. Fee credits from the deceased person's registration do not transfer to the beneficiary.