How does a vehicle TOD beneficiary work in Connecticut?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Connecticut names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-16(b)). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Connecticut 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 Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Connecticut 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 Connecticut, you make the designation through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle. The designation must be signed before a witness (the beneficiary cannot serve as the witness). See all Connecticut signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by mail to Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles, Specialized Registry Services, Room 305, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161 or in person. The CT beneficiary designation attaches to the certificate of registration; the at-death retitling is a title transaction filed by mail to Specialized Registry Services (Room 305, 60 State Street, Wethersfield) or in person by appointment at a DMV hub/branch. No online path for adding a beneficiary or changing a title.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Connecticut, if the beneficiary fails to apply within sixty days after the owner's death, the beneficiary has no right to obtain ownership under Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-16(b); the vehicle then transfers through the deceased owner's estate (executor, administrator, legatee or distributee) under 14-16(c).

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

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Connecticut is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Connecticut recognizes: Submit a new DMV beneficiary designation certificate naming a different beneficiary (or no beneficiary).; Transfer ownership of the vehicle during the owner's lifetime, which expires the registration and the designation under Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-16(a)-(b)..

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.

Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death

Connecticut 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 Connecticut, the designation is made through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle. Notarization is not required.

In Connecticut, the designation covers motor vehicle. Owner must be a single natural person (not a firm or corporation) with no specified co-owner.

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

Conn. Gen. Stat. 14-16(b)

Data sourced from Connecticut 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

Connecticut Estate Planning Resources

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

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

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

Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death

In Connecticut, the designation is made through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle. Notarization is not required.

In Connecticut, the designation covers motor vehicle. Owner must be a single natural person (not a firm or corporation) with no specified co-owner.

Free Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Connecticut Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations