Free California Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free California 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.

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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In California the beneficiary is added with the standard title application, the beneficiary written on the title application. The title then shows it this way: After the name of the owner, the words "transfer on death to" or the abbreviation "TOD" followed by the name of the beneficiary.

No. Notarization is not required; the owner signs the form.

The designation is filed with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The current title is surrendered and reissued in beneficiary form. Vehicle Code 4150.7(d) sets a $10 fee for registering ownership of a vehicle in beneficiary form (VC 9852.7(d) likewise for vessels). The DMV VIR Manual §11.170 states a transfer fee is due to add, delete, or change a beneficiary, in addition to any other applicable fees (see Appendix 1F).

No. California does not let joint owners make the designation; it is available to a sole owner.

California puts the vehicle in the probate estate when no beneficiary survives the owner. If no beneficiary survives the owner, the vehicle belongs to the estate of the deceased owner (VC 5910.5(a); VC 9916.5(a) for vessels), and may be transferred under the decedent transfer procedures instead. The designation covers the vehicle alone; a revocable trust set up with SimplyTrust carries the rest of the estate.

California Vehicle Transfer on Death

California allows a vehicle transfer-on-death designation: the owner names a beneficiary who receives the vehicle at death, bypassing probate for that vehicle. The designation has no effect during the owner's life; the owner remains the sole owner and can revoke it at will.

In California, the designation is made through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using the standard title application. No notary is involved. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

The completed designation goes to the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by mail to California DMV, Vehicle Registration Operations, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001 or in person. Adding, changing, or deleting a vehicle TOD beneficiary is a title transaction: file by mail to Vehicle Registration Operations in Sacramento, or in person at a DMV field office. It cannot be completed through the standard online renewal portal.

California extends the designation beyond cars to these title classes: vehicle subject to registration and undocumented vessel subject to registration. Vehicle TOD applies to vehicles subject to registration (VC 4150.7) and undocumented vessels subject to registration (VC 9852.7). Federally documented vessels are not covered by VC 9852.7.

The designation reaches one vehicle at a time. A family with assets beyond a vehicle covers everything in one place with a revocable living trust, which adds incapacity planning; the trust vs. will comparison shows the trade-offs.

SimplyTrust Editorial·Updated August 25, 2026

Legal Sources

Cal. Veh. Code §§ 4150.7, 5910.5 (vehicles); §§ 9852.7, 9916.5 (vessels)

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

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California Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free California Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Is this your situation?

Retirement

New Home

Moving to a New State

Forms for Planning Your Estate in California

Healthcare Power of Attorney

Financial Power of Attorney

Transfer on Death Deed

Living Will

Last Will and Testament

Tools for Planning Your Estate in California

Do I Need a TOD Deed?

Do I Need a Vehicle TOD?

What Does Estate Planning Actually Cost?

How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?

Are My Beneficiary Designations Protected?

How Do I Sign Estate Documents?

Will My Estate Documents Transfer?

How Much Does Probate Cost?

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California Estate Planning Resources

Free California Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information