What is a vehicle transfer on death designation in Kansas?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Kansas names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (K.S.A. 59-3508 et seq. (see also K.S.A. 8-135(c)(10))). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Kansas Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Kansas 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. Joint owners are referenced as "joint tenant with right of survivorship owners"; the TOD transfer occurs on the death of the last survivor of those owners.

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*

County Where You Live

Kansas files vehicle titles at a county office rather than a central DMV.

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Kansas Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Kansas 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 Kansas, you make the designation through the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (issues the certificate of title); applications are made at the local county treasurer's motor vehicle office using Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a). Notarization is not required. See all Kansas signing requirements.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Kansas, the TOD beneficiary has no interest until the owner's death (K.S.A. 59-3510), and ownership vests in the designated beneficiary at death (K.S.A. 59-3511). The article (K.S.A. 59-3508 through 59-3512) does not expressly state what happens if no designated beneficiary survives the owner.

Yes. Kansas allows more than one beneficiary on a vehicle TOD designation. If more than one survives you, they take title as the certificate of title specifies; state law does not set a default form of co-ownership among them.

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation in Kansas is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Kansas recognizes: File an application for a subsequent certificate of title changing or removing the beneficiary designation (K.S.A. 59-3510)..

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.

Kansas Vehicle Transfer on Death

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

In Kansas, the designation is made through the Kansas Department of Revenue, Division of Vehicles (issues the certificate of title); applications are made at the local county treasurer's motor vehicle office using Title and Registration Manual Application (Form TR-212a). Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

In Kansas, the designation covers motor vehicle (as defined by k.s.a. 8-126).

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.