What Do I Need to Sign My Vehicle TOD Designation in Maryland?

Notarization is not required for a vehicle tod to be valid in Maryland.Md. Code, Transp. 13-115Verified Jul 14, 2026

Yes. A vehicle TOD designation can be executed entirely remotely in Maryland — Maryland requires neither a notary nor witnesses for a vehicle TOD designation, and the document may be signed electronically, so no step has to happen in person.

To execute a vehicle tod in Maryland: Complete the Maryland Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) transfer-on-death designation for your vehicle title. Sign and date the designation as the vehicle owner. Surrender the existing certificate of title so a new title can be issued in beneficiary form. Owner signs the titling form, then files it with the titling authority

A vehicle TOD designation lives on the vehicle's title, so it follows the state where the vehicle is titled, not where you signed anything. To make the designation effective for a Maryland-titled vehicle, it has to be on a title issued by Maryland under Maryland's rules. If you move and retitle the vehicle in another state, you re-make the designation under that state's titling process. See the document portability tool for the full breakdown.