Do I Need a Vehicle Transfer on Death Designation in Maryland?

Maryland allows a transfer-on-death (tod) beneficiary designation on motor vehicleMd. Code, Transp. 13-115Verified Oct 1, 2026View source. Limited to a motor vehicle currently titled in Maryland and owned by one individual, or co-owned as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as tenants by the entirety (Transp. 13-115(a)). As of October 1, 2026 the MVA's published instructions still describe only a solely owned vehicle. A beneficiary may be added even if the vehicle is subject to a lien; the lien is carried over and must be satisfied (or a lienholder permission letter provided) when the vehicle is transferred to the beneficiary. Transp. 13-115 reaches motor vehicles only. Maryland's marine-vessel TOD designation is a separate instrument under Nat. Res. § 8-720.1, in force since October 1, 2026 and administered by the Department of Natural Resources rather than the MVA, with its own fee, regulations and creditor provision.

Add the designation through the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)Md. Code, Transp. 13-115View source using the standard title applicationMd. Code, Transp. 13-115View source. Notarization is not requiredMd. Code, Transp. 13-115View source. You file the completed designation with the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) online. Adding a vehicle TOD beneficiary in Maryland is an online-only myMVA self-service transaction; the MVA does not document a mail-in or in-branch path for the designation itself. The corrected title that results is mailed to the owner (address on record or an alternate address chosen during the online flow). The only address on the MVA process page is the general MVA contact center, 6601 Ritchie Highway N.E., Glen Burnie, MD 21062, which is not given as a designation-submission address.

Yes. The designation can be changed or cancelled at any time during the owner's life; in Maryland: Apply to the MVA to revoke or change the designated beneficiary at any time before the death of the sole owner or the last surviving co-owner, without the beneficiary's consent (Transp. 13-115(c)(2)); Use the myMVA "Designate Vehicle Beneficiary" online transaction to add, delete, or change the beneficiary (voids any previously issued title).

The beneficiary retitles the vehicle with the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA)Md. Code, Transp. 13-115View source by submitting: The original certificate of title designating the beneficiary; A death certificate for the deceased sole owner, or for each deceased co-owner (the MVA may waive this if it has already received notification of the death from the Maryland Department of Health); Proof of the identity of the beneficiary; Any applicable taxes or fees. The designation covers that vehicle alone; a revocable trust set up with SimplyTrust keeps the home, the accounts and everything else out of probate in one document.