Transfer a car title after a death in Connecticut

To transfer a vehicle from a person who died, make an appointment at a DMV hub or branch office. Bring the title assigned by the executor, administrator or person authorized by the court, a certified probate document showing that authority (for a small estate, the PC-212B petitioner's probate certificate stating that transfer of ownership is allowed, or a PC-264/PC-264S decree for transfer of personal property without probate), an application for registration and title, a Connecticut insurance card, the latest registration certificate and ID. No sales tax is due on a transfer to an immediate family member (parent, sibling, child or spouse) if the vehicle was registered in the person's name for at least 60 days.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Connecticut

To transfer a vehicle from a person who died, make an appointment at a DMV hub or branch office. Bring the title assigned by the executor, administrator or person authorized by the court, a certified probate document showing that authority (for a small estate, the PC-212B petitioner's probate certificate stating that transfer of ownership is allowed, or a PC-264/PC-264S decree for transfer of personal property without probate), an application for registration and title, a Connecticut insurance card, the latest registration certificate and ID. No sales tax is due on a transfer to an immediate family member (parent, sibling, child or spouse) if the vehicle was registered in the person's name for at least 60 days.

Law: Conn. Gen. Stat. secs. 14-16(b), 45a-273

Source: form H-13B

Agency
Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Form
Form H-13B Application for Registration and Title (with the Probate Court's certificate or decree)
Fee

Regular DMV title and registration fees apply; see the DMV fee pages.

Transfer-on-death title

A sole individual owner can name a beneficiary on the vehicle's registration certificate, signed with a witness who is not the beneficiary. The beneficiary must apply to the DMV no later than 60 days after the owner's death, with the registration certificate naming them, the death certificate, proof of identity, the title and a completed application with fees.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Counts

A vehicle in the person's name alone counts at fair market value (list its VIN on the affidavit). A vehicle with a DMV beneficiary designation passes to the beneficiary.

Law: C.G.S. 45a-273(a); form PC-212; C.G.S. 14-16(b)

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

A boat or other solely owned personal property counts at fair market value.

Law: C.G.S. 45a-273(a)

Related pages

Free help in Connecticut

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