How to Transfer a Car Title After Death in North Dakota

Transferring a vehicle title after a death in North Dakota runs through the ND Department of Transportation (DOT) Motor Vehicle Division, not the probate court. The right process depends on how the title was held. There are three routes, and the one you use determines whether you're at the DMV in a week or waiting several months for probate to conclude.

Route 1: Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship

If the vehicle title reads "Joint Tenants With Right of Survivorship" (JTWROS), the surviving owner already owns the vehicle outright. No probate involvement is needed.

The surviving owner takes the following to the ND DOT Motor Vehicle Division:

• The original certificate of title
• A certified copy of the death certificate

The DOT removes the deceased's name from the title and transfers it into the surviving owner's sole name. The title transfer fee is $5.

This is the fastest and simplest outcome. If the vehicle was jointly owned with a spouse in this way, the surviving spouse can handle the transfer within days of receiving the death certificate.

Route 2: Small Estate Affidavit (SFN 2916)

If the vehicle was solely in the deceased's name and the total estate is small enough to qualify, heirs can transfer the title using Form SFN 2916 — the Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property of the Decedent, issued by the North Dakota DOT.

Eligibility requirements:

• The total value of all probate assets (not just the vehicle) is under $100,000 net of debts
• The estate includes no real property that would require probate
• At least thirty days have elapsed since the date of death

The SFN 2916 must be completed and notarized. Present it to the ND DOT Motor Vehicle Division along with:

• The original certificate of title (the deceased's name must appear on it)
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• The completed, notarized SFN 2916

The DOT will transfer the title for the standard $5 fee.

The original title is required. If the original certificate of title cannot be located, you'll need to apply for a duplicate title before the transfer can proceed, which adds time to the process.

Route 3: Probated Estate

If the total estate exceeds $100,000 in personal property, or includes real estate without a Transfer on Death Deed, the vehicle is part of a probated estate. In this case, the personal representative must present:

• The original certificate of title
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• A copy of the court-issued Letters Testamentary or Letters of Administration

The DOT will not accept a last will and testament alone as authorization. The will must have gone through the district court and resulted in formally issued Letters before the DOT can transfer the title.

The personal representative has the authority to either transfer the vehicle into a beneficiary's name directly, or to sell it and deposit the proceeds into the estate account if that better serves the estate's needs.

What the DOT Cannot Accept

To avoid a wasted trip to the DMV, be clear on what is not accepted:

• A photocopy of the title (the original is required)
• A last will and testament without court-issued Letters
• An SFN 2916 presented before thirty days have elapsed
• An un-notarized SFN 2916

The $5 title transfer fee applies regardless of which route is used.

Handling Multiple Vehicles

Each vehicle in the estate is transferred separately. If the deceased owned two cars and a boat registered with the DOT, you need separate transactions for each one. Bring the original title for each vehicle, along with the appropriate authorization document (SFN 2916 or Letters Testamentary), and a certified death certificate for each transaction — or confirm with the specific DMV office whether one certified copy can be used across multiple transactions in the same visit.

If the estate qualifies for the small estate affidavit, the $100,000 threshold applies to the total estate value — not each vehicle separately. If combining all vehicles and other personal property still stays under $100,000, the SFN 2916 works for all of them.

Transferring Other Motorized Vehicles

The same ND DOT process applies to motorcycles, trailers, and recreational vehicles titled through the state. For boats, ATVs, and snowmobiles, check whether they are also registered through the DOT or through a different North Dakota agency, as the transfer process may vary.

For a complete picture of asset transfers in a North Dakota estate — bank accounts, real property, vehicles, and investment accounts — the North Dakota Estate Settlement Guide provides the full step-by-step checklist with each agency's requirements.

Why the Process Matters to Get Right

Inheriting a vehicle that you cannot legally drive because the title is still in the deceased's name creates practical problems quickly. Insurance companies may not cover an unregistered transfer, and the vehicle cannot be sold or re-registered without clear title.

Acting on the vehicle title transfer within the thirty-day window for SFN 2916 eligibility (or as soon as Letters are available in a probated estate) protects the asset and keeps the estate administration moving forward on schedule.

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