Transferring a Car After Someone Dies in Minnesota
How to transfer a vehicle title after the owner dies in Minnesota, from the official motor vehicle agency.
Short answer: If the vehicle was titled in transfer-on-death form, ownership vests in the surviving beneficiary, who applies for a new title with a certified death record. Minn. Stat. §§ 168A.125, 524.2-403, 524.2-201; DVS form PS2071
| Transferring a car after death | If the vehicle was titled in transfer-on-death form, ownership vests in the surviving beneficiary, who applies for a new title with a certified death record. Otherwise, a surviving spouse who selects the vehicle from the estate's personal property, or an heir where the estate has not been and will not be probated, signs a notarized 'Assignment of a vehicle to a surviving spouse/not subject to probate' (PS2071), submitted with the completed Minnesota title, proof of death and the title and filing fees. If the estate is probated, the personal representative handles the transfer. Driver and Vehicle Services recommends completing these transfers at a deputy registrar office. DVS overview: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/dvs/vehicle/vehicle-titles/deceased-relative-vehicle-title-transfer |
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FAQ
How do I transfer a car title after someone dies in Minnesota?
If the vehicle was titled in transfer-on-death form, ownership vests in the surviving beneficiary, who applies for a new title with a certified death record. Otherwise, a surviving spouse who selects the vehicle from the estate's personal property, or an heir where the estate has not been and will not be probated, signs a notarized 'Assignment of a vehicle to a surviving spouse/not subject to probate' (PS2071), submitted with the completed Minnesota title, proof of death and the title and filing fees. If the estate is probated, the personal representative handles the transfer. Driver and Vehicle Services recommends completing these transfers at a deputy registrar office.
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.