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

Notarization is not required for a vehicle tod to be valid in South Dakota.SDCL 32-3-80 to 32-3-84Verified Jul 14, 2026

South Dakota has authorized Remote Online Notarization for many documents, but vehicle TOD designations are specifically excluded.SDCL 32-3-80 to 32-3-84Verified Jul 14, 2026 In-person notarization is required.

To execute a vehicle tod in South Dakota: Complete Motor Vehicle and Boat Title Application (Form 1001) from the South Dakota Department of Revenue, Division of Motor Vehicles (applications filed at the county treasurer's office). 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 South Dakota-titled vehicle, it has to be on a title issued by South Dakota under South Dakota'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.