Do I Need a Vehicle Transfer on Death Designation in Arizona?
Answer a few questions about how your vehicle is titled to see whether a transfer-on-death designation applies for avoiding probate on a vehicle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Arizona allows a beneficiary designation (transfer on death provision) on a vehicle title.A.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source It passes the vehicle to a named beneficiary at death without probate.
Arizona allows a beneficiary designation (transfer on death provision) on motor vehicle. Designation is available only to a sole owner of a vehicle titled in Arizona. Vehicles held by joint owners or tenants in common are not eligible.A.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
Add the designation through the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) using Beneficiary Designation - For Vehicle Title Transfer Upon Death (Form 96-0561). Notarization is not required.A.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
You file the completed designation with the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) by mail to Motor Vehicle Division, Title Production Unit, Mail Drop 555M, PO Box 2100, Phoenix, AZ 85001-2100 or in person.Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) filing processVerified Aug 25, 2026View source Adding a vehicle TOD beneficiary is a title transaction: per A.R.S. 28-2055(B) the provision is added "by attachment" to the certificate of title (form 96-0561). If the title is electronic, the form may be submitted alone (by mail to MD 555M or in person at an MVD/Authorized Third Party office); if the title is paper, the form is stapled to it and the two are surrendered together at transfer. There is no online path — the eTitle Transfer service covers seller-to-buyer ownership transfers, not beneficiary designations.
Yes. Arizona allows more than one beneficiary on a vehicle beneficiary designation (transfer on death provision).A.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
Yes. The designation can be changed or cancelled at any time during your lifetime. In Arizona: Submit a new MVD Beneficiary Designation (form 96-0561) naming a different beneficiary., Transfer or retitle the vehicle, which removes the existing beneficiary designation..A.R.S. 28-2055(B)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
The beneficiary retitles the vehicle with the Arizona Department of Transportation, Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) by submitting: Certificate of title with the attached Beneficiary Designation (form 96-0561) — if the title is paper the form "must be stapled to it and surrendered together when transferring ownership"; if the title is electronic the form "may be submitted alone", Completed, signed Title and Registration Application (form 96-0236), Lien release, if applicable, Required title and registration fees (ADOT publishes a $4.00 title processing fee plus variable registration fees for the deceased-owner non-probate path; it does not publish a separate fee schedule for a beneficiary retitle). A vehicle designation covers only that vehicle — to keep a home, accounts, and everything else out of probate in one document, SimplyTrust sets up a revocable trust online.
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