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.

Progress0%

Step 1 of 3

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*

FREE & PRIVATE: This form is free—no account or credit card required. Your document contents and generated PDF never leave your browser—SimplyTrust does not transmit or store them. Contact details you provide (name, email, phone, state) are transmitted only to send the updates you agree to receive at download. You are responsible for saving your completed document.

SELF-HELP SERVICE: SimplyTrust provides a self-help document preparation service. We are not a law firm and cannot provide legal advice, select forms for you, or tell you how to complete forms. Our role is limited to providing a platform where you input your own information into document templates.

NOT LEGAL ADVICE:This document was created entirely based on your selections. SimplyTrust does not review, analyze, or verify your entries, nor do we verify your identity, capacity, or authority to act. You are solely responsible for determining whether this document meets your needs and for completing all required execution formalities (signatures, witnesses, notarization, or recording) in accordance with your state's laws. For any legal questions, consult a licensed attorney in your state.

Frequently Asked Questions About California Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in California 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 California, you make the designation through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using the standard certificate of title application. Notarization is not required. See all California signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with 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.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in California, 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.

California allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for any exceptions.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in California is revocable during your lifetime at any time. California recognizes: Sell the vehicle with proper assignment and delivery of the certificate of ownership to another person (VC 5910.5(b)(1)).; Apply for a new certificate of ownership without a beneficiary designation, or designating a different beneficiary (VC 5910.5(b)(2))..

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.

California Vehicle Transfer on Death

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in California lets you name a beneficiary who receives your vehicle at death, bypassing probate for that vehicle (available in California: Yes). The designation has no effect during your lifetime: you remain the sole owner and can revoke it whenever you choose.

In California, the designation is made through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using the standard title application. Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

California extends the designation beyond cars: it covers 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.

This designation is a focused tool — one vehicle at a time. For families with assets beyond a vehicle, a revocable living trust handles everything in one place and adds incapacity planning. The trust vs. will comparison shows the trade-offs.

SimplyTrust Editorial

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.

Is this your situation?

Get a complete guide for your specific circumstances.

Retirement

Retirement changes your financial picture. Healthcare directives, beneficiary reviews, long-term care planning, and protecting what you've built.

Learn more

New Home

How to put your house in a revocable trust: the deed you record, what it does to your mortgage and property taxes, and when a TOD deed is simpler.

Learn more

Moving to a New State

State laws vary significantly for wills, trusts, and powers of attorney. What to review after relocating to make sure your estate plan still works.

Learn more

California Estate Planning Resources

In-depth guides covering California probate laws, trust requirements, and estate planning strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions About California Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

California allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for any exceptions.

California Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free California Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About California Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations