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

Notarization is not required for a vehicle tod to be valid in Texas.Tex. Transp. Code 501.0315; Tex. Estates Code ch. 115Verified Jul 14, 2026

Texas has authorized Remote Online Notarization for many documents, but vehicle TOD designations are specifically excluded.Tex. Transp. Code 501.0315; Tex. Estates Code ch. 115Verified Jul 14, 2026 In-person notarization is required.

To execute a vehicle tod in Texas: Complete Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle (VTR-121) from the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV), through county tax assessor-collector offices. 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 Texas-titled vehicle, it has to be on a title issued by Texas under Texas'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.