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

Notarization is not required for a vehicle tod to be valid in Montana.Mont. Code Ann. 61-3-226Verified Jul 14, 2026

Montana has authorized Remote Online Notarization for many documents, but vehicle TOD designations are specifically excluded.Mont. Code Ann. 61-3-226Verified Jul 14, 2026 In-person notarization is required.

To execute a vehicle tod in Montana: Complete Beneficiary Designation for Vehicle or Vessel Title (MV13) from the Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (Vehicle Services Bureau); applications are also accepted at the county treasurer's office or an MVD authorized agent. Sign and date the designation as the vehicle owner. File the designation at your county titling office; Montana Department of Justice, Motor Vehicle Division (Vehicle Services Bureau); applications are also accepted at the county treasurer's office or an MVD authorized agent issues the title. 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 Montana-titled vehicle, it has to be on a title issued by Montana under Montana'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.