Vermont Vehicle Title Transfer After Death: DMV Rules and Non-Probate Options

Vehicles often create an unexpected snag in Vermont estate administration. You need to get the car, truck, or boat out of the decedent's name — but how you do it depends on how the title was held and whether any non-probate transfer mechanism was set up before death.

Vermont offers several ways to transfer a vehicle title after death without going through full probate. But the rules are specific, and using the wrong approach wastes time and money.

Option 1: Transfer on Death (TOD) Designation

Vermont allows vehicle owners to designate a beneficiary for their vehicle title using a Transfer on Death form (VT-007). When the owner dies, the beneficiary inherits the vehicle immediately — no probate, no court involvement.

To complete the transfer, the beneficiary must bring the following to a Vermont DMV office:

• The original vehicle title (showing the TOD designation)
• A certified copy of the death certificate
• Payment of the $35 title transfer fee

The DMV issues a new title in the beneficiary's name. The entire process can be completed at any DMV office, often in a single visit.

Note: The TOD designation only works if it was established on the title before the owner died. If the prior owner never filled out Form VT-007, this option is not available for that vehicle.

Option 2: Survivorship on Joint Title

If the vehicle was titled to two owners with explicit Rights of Survivorship language, it passes automatically to the surviving owner. The same applies to vehicles titled to married couples as Tenants by the Entirety.

To remove the deceased owner's name, the surviving owner submits a copy of the death certificate to the Vermont DMV. A new title is issued in the survivor's name alone.

This process does not require probate and does not trigger a title transfer fee if the vehicle is passing to the surviving co-owner by operation of law.

Option 3: Surviving Spouse Exception (Up to Two Vehicles)

Vermont law includes a specific exception for surviving spouses that many families do not know about.

If a vehicle was titled solely in the deceased spouse's name, and the decedent died intestate (without a will) or the will does not specifically address the disposition of motor vehicles, the surviving spouse may have the registration and title transferred into their own name without paying any transfer fees.

This exception is limited to a maximum of two motor vehicles under 23 V.S.A. § 2023. It applies only to the surviving spouse — not to children, parents, or other heirs.

To use this exception, the surviving spouse presents the death certificate to the DMV and requests the transfer under the statutory spousal exception. The DMV will issue new registration and title in the surviving spouse's name.

Option 4: Intestate Estate Without an Administrator

When a person dies without a will and the estate is too small to require full formal probate, Vermont still provides a path to transfer the vehicle title.

The DMV will transfer the title upon receipt of:

• The death certificate
• A formal letter from the probate court confirming that the decedent died intestate, that no estate needs to be probated, and explicitly naming the individual who has the right of ownership to the vehicle

This requires at least some interaction with the probate court — a letter from the court clerk — but it avoids opening a full estate administration proceeding. Contact the Probate Division in the county where the decedent lived to request this letter.

When Probate Is Required for Vehicle Transfer

If none of the above options apply — the vehicle had no TOD designation, was not jointly titled, the surviving spouse exception does not apply, and the estate requires formal administration — the vehicle becomes a probate asset.

In this case:

• Include the vehicle in the estate inventory (Form 700-00030) at its fair market value as of the date of death.
• The vehicle's value counts toward the $45,000 small estate threshold. A vehicle worth more than $45,000 alone disqualifies the estate from the small estate procedure.
• Once the Probate Division issues a decree of distribution, the executor can transfer the title to the appropriate heir using the court order as authorization.

The Vermont DMV will accept a copy of the probate court's decree of distribution as the legal basis for the title transfer in this scenario.

Vermont DMV Form VD-119

Vermont DMV Form VD-119 is the Title Application form used when transferring title through a probate proceeding or other legal process. If you are transferring a vehicle title as part of a formally administered estate, this form will be part of the DMV transaction.

The $35 standard title transfer fee applies to most vehicle title transfers, though the surviving spouse exception waives this fee.

Practical Reminders

• Obtain multiple certified copies of the death certificate upfront (at least six to ten). You will need certified copies — not photocopies — for the DMV and for every other agency and institution you contact.
• If the vehicle has an outstanding loan, contact the lienholder first. The lien must be satisfied before a title transfer can be completed.
• Vermont titles show the exact ownership structure. Read the title carefully before assuming which transfer method applies.
• Watercraft and outboard motors registered in Vermont follow the same TOD and survivorship rules as motor vehicles.
• The Vermont DMV does not have a mail-in option for all title transfers. Some transactions require an in-person visit or a visit by an authorized agent.

For a complete checklist of every asset that must be transferred after death in Vermont — including vehicles, bank accounts, real estate, and retirement accounts — the Vermont Probate Process Guide walks through each transfer type and which method to use.

See more Vermont guides →