How does a vehicle TOD beneficiary work in Illinois?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Illinois names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (625 ILCS 5/3-104(a-5), 3-107(b-5)). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Illinois vehicle transfer on death form. Name a beneficiary to inherit your vehicle without probate. Notarization required. PDF download.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Illinois 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 Illinois, you make the designation through the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department using Beneficiary Affidavit (Form VSD 773). The designation must be notarized. See all Illinois signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department by mail to Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department, 501 South Second Street, Springfield, IL 62756 or in person. The VSD 773 Beneficiary Affidavit is a notarized title transaction: file by mail to the Vehicle Services Department in Springfield, or in person at any Secretary of State facility. Payment by check or money order. There is no consumer online filing path.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Illinois, the Illinois Vehicle Code (625 ILCS 5/3-104(a-5), 3-107(b-5)) authorizes the beneficiary designation but does not address what occurs if the named beneficiary does not survive the owner; absent the designation taking effect, the vehicle passes under Illinois estate / small-estate transfer rules.

Illinois allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department for any exceptions.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Illinois is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Illinois recognizes: During the owner's lifetime, submit a Beneficiary Affidavit (VSD 773) to the Secretary of State selecting "Removing Beneficiary" or "Changing Beneficiary"; a corrected certificate of title is issued..

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.

Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death

Illinois 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 Illinois, the designation is made through the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department using Beneficiary Affidavit (Form VSD 773). It must be notarized before submission. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

In Illinois, the designation covers motor vehicle. Limited to vehicles for which an Illinois certificate of title is issued (625 ILCS 5/3-104, 3-107). The statute does not separately enumerate watercraft or trailers.

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

625 ILCS 5/3-104(a-5), 3-107(b-5)

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

Illinois allows a single beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. Consult the Illinois Secretary of State, Vehicle Services Department for any exceptions.

Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Illinois Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations