At our firm, we’re often asked how to transfer a car title from deceased family members. Until recently, in New Jersey, transferring a title required a trip to the local DMV office, which sometimes needed a significant wait time. However, in May 2023, New Jersey enacted a new “transfer on death” law for motor vehicles. This new law represents a notable step toward making the asset transfer process more efficient and cost-effective. It aligns motor vehicles with the ease of transfer typically associated with bank accounts and retirement plans, simplifying the lives of both vehicle owners and their beneficiaries.
This new law allows individuals who own a motor vehicle registered in New Jersey to transfer a car title from deceased family members more easily. This includes not only cars but also campers and motorcycles (though not boats, planes, or other vehicles).
To designate beneficiaries for your motor vehicle, fill out the Transfer on Death Beneficiary Form. As the vehicle owner, you hold on to this form and keep it with the vehicle’s Universal Title Application. This transfer doesn’t involve the vehicle in the estate, eliminating the need for letters of administration. After the owner’s death (or the last surviving co-owner, if applicable), the beneficiary should present the form, the title, the death certificate, and the Universal Title Application to the Motor Vehicle Commission.
If there are any liens on the decedent’s title, they must be settled before a new title is issued unless the lien is being transferred to the sole owner. In this case, contact your lending institution for more information. To learn more about how to transfer a car title from deceased family members, click here.