Do I Need a Vehicle Transfer on Death Designation in California?
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. California allows a transfer on death (tod) beneficiary (certificate of ownership held "in beneficiary form") on a vehicle title.Cal. Veh. Code §§ 4150.7, 5910.5 (vehicles); §§ 9852.7, 9916.5 (vessels)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source It passes the vehicle to a named beneficiary at death without probate.
California allows a transfer on death (tod) beneficiary (certificate of ownership held "in beneficiary form") on vehicle subject to registration and undocumented vessel subject to registration. Vehicle TOD applies to vehicles subject to registration (VC 4150.7) and undocumented vessels subject to registration (VC 9852.7). Federally documented vessels are not covered by VC 9852.7.Cal. Veh. Code §§ 4150.7, 5910.5 (vehicles); §§ 9852.7, 9916.5 (vessels)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
Add the designation through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) using the standard title application. Notarization is not required.Cal. Veh. Code §§ 4150.7, 5910.5 (vehicles); §§ 9852.7, 9916.5 (vessels)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
You file the completed designation with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by mail to California DMV, Vehicle Registration Operations, P.O. Box 942869, Sacramento, CA 94269-0001 or in person.California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) filing processVerified Aug 25, 2026View source Adding, changing, or deleting a vehicle TOD beneficiary is a title transaction: file by mail to Vehicle Registration Operations in Sacramento, or in person at a DMV field office. It cannot be completed through the standard online renewal portal.
Yes. The designation can be changed or cancelled at any time during your lifetime. In California: Sell the vehicle with proper assignment and delivery of the certificate of ownership to another person (VC 5910.5(b)(1))., Apply for a new certificate of ownership without a beneficiary designation, or designating a different beneficiary (VC 5910.5(b)(2))..Cal. Veh. Code §§ 4150.7, 5910.5 (vehicles); §§ 9852.7, 9916.5 (vessels)Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
The beneficiary retitles the vehicle with the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) by submitting: The California Certificate of Title, on which the beneficiary signs the name of the registered owner and countersigns on line 1 (VC 5910.5(e) "The appropriate certificate of ownership"; DMV VIR Manual §11.170)., A Statement of Facts (REG 256), completed by the beneficiary stating the date and place of the owner's death and that they are entitled to the vehicle as the designated beneficiary (VC 5910.5(e); DMV VIR Manual §11.170). REG 256 is the at-death claim form, not a TOD designation form., A certificate of the death of the owner, if required by the department (VC 5910.5(e))., Applicable transfer fees (DMV VIR Manual §11.170 "A transfer fee... Refer to Appendix 1F for fees"; VC 5910.5(f) references "appropriate fees" for the transferee path).. 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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