Transfer a car title after a death in California
An heir or beneficiary can transfer a California vehicle or numbered boat without probate using the Affidavit for Transfer without Probate (REG 5), with a copy of the death certificate, the title (certificate of ownership) and the transfer fee.
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Car or vehicle title after a death in California
An heir or beneficiary can transfer a California vehicle or numbered boat without probate using the Affidavit for Transfer without Probate (REG 5), with a copy of the death certificate, the title (certificate of ownership) and the transfer fee. Vehicles are not counted toward the small estate limit. On form REG 5 you state that at least 40 days have passed since the death, that the person left no other property needing probate, that any unsecured creditors have been paid, and that the estate's value (not counting excluded property) is under the small estate limit.
Law: Cal. Veh. Code secs. 4150.7, 5910, 5910.5, 9916; Prob. Code 13050(b)
- Agency
- California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
- Waiting period
- 40 days after the death
- Fee
The DMV charges a title transfer fee; its fee calculator shows the amount.
- Transfer-on-death title
A vehicle title can name one transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary when there is only one owner; the fee to register this is $10. After the owner's death, the beneficiary transfers the vehicle with the title and a signed statement, and a death certificate if the DMV asks.
Source: Official page
Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?
| Kind of property | How it is treated | Details |
|---|---|---|
Cars and other vehicles | Left out | Cars and other vehicles registered with the DMV are left out. They transfer through the DMV. Law: Prob. Code 13050(b)(1) |
Boats and mobile or manufactured homes | Left out | Numbered boats, and manufactured homes, mobilehomes, truck campers and floating homes registered under state law, are left out. Law: Prob. Code 13050(b)(2)-(3) |
Related pages
Free help in California
A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.
- Court self-help centers (free help in every superior court)
- State Bar of California: Certified Lawyer Referral Services (low-cost)
- California Courts: Check if you can use a simple process to transfer property
- California Courts: Small estate affidavit to transfer personal property
- California Courts: Wills, estates and probate
- California Courts: Fee waivers
- LawHelp.org
- Legal Services Corporation (LSC) - Find legal aid
- Eldercare Locator · 1-800-677-1116
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (debt collection and mortgage complaints) · (855) 411-2372