How does a vehicle TOD beneficiary work in Arkansas?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Arkansas names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (Ark. Code Ann. 27-14-727). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death

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

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Owner Information

Enter your information as the registered owner. If the vehicle is jointly owned, you can add the second owner below.

How is the vehicle titled?*

Choose "Jointly owned" if two people are on the title. Up to three (3) individual owners may be listed (27-14-727(a)(3)(A)). On a beneficiary title the vehicle transfers to the surviving owner first; the beneficiary takes only after the death of the last surviving joint owner (27-14-727(b)(1), (i)(1)(A)). A certificate of title with beneficiary cannot be issued where the owner holds the interest as a tenant in common with another person (27-14-727(d)(1)(B)).

I am the sole ownerJointly owned with one other person

First Name*

Middle Name

Last Name*

Driver License / ID Number

Most state titling forms ask for the owner’s driver license or ID number.

Street Address*

City*

State*

ZIP Code*

State Where the Vehicle Is Titled*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Arkansas 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 Arkansas, you make the designation through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle using Request for Title or Watercraft Registration with Beneficiary (Form 108). Notarization is not required. See all Arkansas signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle by mail to Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Special License Unit, P.O. Box 1272, Little Rock, AR 72203 or in person. Adding a vehicle TOD beneficiary is a title transaction (DFA form 108 plus surrender of the existing title): file by mail to the DFA Special License Unit or in person at a state revenue office. The myDMV online portal does not support adding a beneficiary to a title.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Arkansas, ark. Code Ann. 27-14-727(i)(1)(A) issues the new title to a surviving owner, or if none, to the beneficiary; it contains no express rule for a beneficiary who predeceases the owner. If the beneficiary does not survive, the vehicle passes through the owner's estate under ordinary title/succession rules. This predecease outcome is inferred from statutory silence, not expressly stated. // TODO: unverified-primary (statute does not state an explicit predecease/antilapse rule).

Arkansas allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle for any exceptions.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Arkansas is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Arkansas recognizes: Sell the vehicle with proper assignment and delivery of the certificate of title to another person (27-14-727(f)(2)(A)).; File a transfer-on-death application (DFA form 108) with the Office of Motor Vehicle to remove or change the beneficiary (27-14-727(f)(2)(B) referencing subsection (c))..

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.

Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Arkansas 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 Arkansas, the designation is made through the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle using Request for Title or Watercraft Registration with Beneficiary (Form 108). Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

Arkansas extends the designation beyond cars: it covers motor vehicle and watercraft / motorboat. A beneficiary may not be added while the vehicle or watercraft is subject to a lien (27-14-727(d)(1)(A)). If a lien request is made for a beneficiary title, the beneficiary is removed and the lien added (27-14-727(d)(2)).

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.

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Legal Sources

Ark. Code Ann. 27-14-727

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

Arkansas allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, Office of Motor Vehicle for any exceptions.

Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Arkansas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations