How does a vehicle TOD beneficiary work in Minnesota?

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Minnesota names a beneficiary who receives your vehicle directly at your death, without probate (Minn. Stat. 168A.125). You keep full ownership and control during your lifetime and can change or cancel the designation at any time.

Free Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death

Free Minnesota 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 must hold title with rights of survivorship; the vehicle transfers on the death of the last surviving joint owner.

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*

Email Address*

Phone Number*

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Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

A vehicle transfer-on-death designation in Minnesota 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 Minnesota, you make the designation through the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Department of Public Safety (applications made at deputy registrar offices) using Application to Title and Register a Vehicle (Form PS2000A). Notarization is not required. See all Minnesota signing requirements.

You file the completed designation with the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Department of Public Safety (applications made at deputy registrar offices) by mail to Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), 445 Minnesota Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-5187 or in person. In person, the TOD designation is filed through Minnesota's deputy registrar network (a local, non-county agent system; use the DVS office locator) on the title application (PS2000A); alternatively the completed application and fees may be mailed to central DVS in St. Paul. Adding a TOD beneficiary is a title transaction and is not available through DVS online services.

If no designated beneficiary survives you in Minnesota, if no designated beneficiary survives the owner, the motor vehicle must be included in the probate estate of the deceased owner (Minn. Stat. 168A.125 subd. 4).

Yes. Minnesota 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 Minnesota is revocable during your lifetime at any time. Minnesota recognizes: File an application for a new certificate of title to change or remove the beneficiary designation (by the owner, or by all joint owners with rights of survivorship), without the beneficiary's consent..

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.

Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death

Minnesota 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 Minnesota, the designation is made through the Minnesota Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS), Department of Public Safety (applications made at deputy registrar offices) using Application to Title and Register a Vehicle (Form PS2000A). Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

In Minnesota, the designation covers motor vehicle. The statute by its terms applies to a "motor vehicle" titled under Minn. Stat. ch. 168A; the owner making the designation must be a natural person.

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

Minn. Stat. 168A.125

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations

Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death

In Minnesota, the designation covers motor vehicle. The statute by its terms applies to a "motor vehicle" titled under Minn. Stat. ch. 168A; the owner making the designation must be a natural person.

Free Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death

Owner Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Minnesota Vehicle Transfer on Death Designations