Transfer a car title after a death in Alaska

If the person owned the vehicle alone or with 'AND', and the estate qualifies as a small estate (vehicles $100,000 or less and other personal property $50,000 or less, after liens), a successor can transfer the vehicle with DMV Form 827, Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less (or a similar notarized statement with the same information), at least 30 days after the death.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Alaska

If the person owned the vehicle alone or with 'AND', and the estate qualifies as a small estate (vehicles $100,000 or less and other personal property $50,000 or less, after liens), a successor can transfer the vehicle with DMV Form 827, Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less (or a similar notarized statement with the same information), at least 30 days after the death. The original notarized affidavit with the VIN is submitted with a Vehicle Transaction Application, and the successor must title the vehicle in their own name before selling it. If the title says 'OR', the surviving owner can release the title without documents about the person who died. Otherwise the vehicle goes through probate and the court-appointed personal representative signs.

Law: AS 13.16.680; AS 13.33.401 and AS 28.10.275 (SB 104, ch. 12 SLA 2026, effective July 1, 2026)

Source: Form V1

Agency
Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Form
DMV Form 827 Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less (Rev. 1/2018)
Waiting period
30 days after the death
Value limit
Up to $100,000
Fee

DMV title fees can be calculated with the Alaska Registration Fee Calculator.

Transfer-on-death title

Since July 1, 2026, a sole owner, or all joint owners, can apply to the DMV for a transfer on death title for a vehicle or boat naming one or two beneficiaries, and pay a fee. The owner can change or revoke it during life; a will cannot change it. After the owner dies, the beneficiary gives the DMV proof of death (such as a death certificate), an application on the DMV form and the title fee. The beneficiary takes the vehicle subject to liens and, if the probate estate is not enough, to claims against the estate.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Left out up to $100,000

Vehicles that must be registered in Alaska (cars, motorcycles, trucks, trailers, and manufactured homes not permanently attached to land) have their own limit of $100,000 total after liens, separate from the $50,000 limit. If the vehicles total more than $100,000, the affidavit cannot be used. Vehicles with a transfer on death title or an 'OR' co-owner pass outside probate.

Law: AS 13.16.680(a)(1)(A)

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

Manufactured homes not attached to land count with vehicles (under $100,000). Boats, snowmachines, ATVs and other untitled vehicles are not 'vehicles' here and count toward the $50,000 personal property limit.

Law: AS 13.16.680(a)(1)

Related pages

Free help in Alaska

A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.