Does Maryland allow a transfer-on-death designation on a vehicle title?

Yes. Maryland allows a transfer-on-death (tod) beneficiary designation on a vehicle title under Md. Code, Transp. 13-115. It passes the vehicle to a named beneficiary at death without probate.

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

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.

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Select your state to see whether you can name a beneficiary on your vehicle title and what vehicles qualify.

This tool provides general information about vehicle transfer-on-death designations and is not legal advice. Availability and requirements vary by state. Consult your state titling agency or a licensed attorney for guidance specific to your situation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. Maryland allows a transfer-on-death (tod) beneficiary designation on a vehicle title. It passes the vehicle to a named beneficiary at death without probate.

Maryland allows a transfer-on-death (tod) beneficiary designation on motor vehicle. Limited to a motor vehicle that is solely owned and currently titled in Maryland. 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; there is no vessel or boat equivalent under Maryland law today.

Add the designation through the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) using the standard title application. Notarization is not required.

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 your lifetime. In Maryland: Apply to the MVA to cancel or change the designated beneficiary at any time 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) by submitting: The original certificate of title designating the beneficiary, A death certificate for the deceased owner (the MVA may waive this if it has already received notification of the owner's death from the Maryland Department of Health), Proof of the identity of the beneficiary, Any applicable taxes or fees. 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.

Vehicle TOD in Maryland

Maryland 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 Maryland, the designation is made through the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) using the standard title application. Notarization is not required. A new certificate of title is issued showing the beneficiary.

In Maryland, the designation covers motor vehicle. Limited to a motor vehicle that is solely owned and currently titled in Maryland. 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; there is no vessel or boat equivalent under Maryland law today.

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

Md. Code, Transp. 13-115

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

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