How does a vehicle TOD beneficiary work in Arizona?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Arizona names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (A.R.S. 28-2055(B)). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Arizona vehicle transfer on death form. Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle without probate. No notarization required. PDF download.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Arizona names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate. You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime, and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

In Arizona, you make the designation through the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) using Beneficiary Designation - For Vehicle Title Transfer Upon Death (Form 96-0561). Notarization is not required. See all Arizona signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) by mail to Motor Vehicle Division, PO Box 2100, MD 555M, Phoenix, AZ 85001 or in person. Adding a vehicle TOD beneficiary is a title transaction: per A.R.S. 28-2055(B) the provision is added "by attachment" to the certificate of title (form 96-0561). If the title is electronic, the form may be submitted alone (by mail to MD 555M or in person at an MVD/Authorized Third Party office); if the title is paper, the form is stapled to it and the two are surrendered together at transfer. There is no online path — the eTitle Transfer service covers seller-to-buyer ownership transfers, not beneficiary designations.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Arizona, current A.R.S. 28-2055(B) does not state what happens if the designated beneficiary does not survive the owner; absent a surviving beneficiary the vehicle is handled through the decedent's estate (Arizona non-probate affidavit if eligible, otherwise probate). This outcome is inferred from statutory silence, not expressly stated. // TODO: unverified-primary (statute states no explicit predecease/antilapse rule).

Yes. Arizona allows more than one beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. If more than one survives you, they take title as the certificate of title specifies; state law does not set a default form of co-ownership among them.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Arizona is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Arizona recognizes: Submit a new MVD Beneficiary Designation (form 96-0561) naming a different beneficiary.; Transfer or retitle the vehicle, which removes the existing beneficiary designation..

No. A vehicle TOD designation only transfers the vehicle named on the title. Bank accounts, your home, and other property pass through whatever else you have in place — a will (probate) or a trust. A revocable living trust covers everything in one document. Set up a revocable trust if you want a single instrument for the whole estate.

Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death

Arizona allows a transfer-on-death beneficiary designation on a vehicle title: Yes. It names someone to receive the vehicle directly at your death, without probate. You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime — you can sell the vehicle, or change or cancel the designation, at any time.

In Arizona, the designation is made through the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) using Beneficiary Designation - For Vehicle Title Transfer Upon Death (Form 96-0561). Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

In Arizona, the designation covers motor vehicle. Designation is available only to a sole owner of a vehicle titled in Arizona. Vehicles held by joint owners or tenants in common are not eligible.

A vehicle TOD designation covers only the vehicle on the title — not your home, accounts, or other property. A revocable living trust covers all of your assets in a single document and avoids probate for everything it holds. Compare the approaches with the trust vs. will tool.

SimplyTrust Editorial

Legal Sources

A.R.S. 28-2055(B)

Data sourced from Arizona statutes and official state code. How we research.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death

In Arizona, the designation covers motor vehicle. Designation is available only to a sole owner of a vehicle titled in Arizona. Vehicles held by joint owners or tenants in common are not eligible.

Free Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Arizona Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations