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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Maryland allows a transfer-on-death (tod) beneficiary designation on a vehicle title.Md. Code, Transp. 13-115Verified Aug 25, 2026View source 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. Maryland's marine-vessel TOD designation is a separate instrument — 2026 Md. Laws ch. 72/73 create it as Nat. Res. § 8-720.1, administered by the Department of Natural Resources rather than the MVA, with its own fee, regulations and creditor provision — and it does not take effect until October 1, 2026.Md. Code, Transp. 13-115Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
Add the designation through the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) using the standard title application. Notarization is not required.Md. Code, Transp. 13-115Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
You file the completed designation with the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) online.Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) filing processVerified Aug 25, 2026View source 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)..Md. Code, Transp. 13-115Verified Aug 25, 2026View source
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.
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