Transfer a car title after a death in Indiana

Five days after the death, if no personal representative is expected to be appointed, the distributees can transfer a vehicle or watercraft title with the Affidavit for Transfer of Certificate of Title for a Vehicle/Watercraft Without Administration and a copy of the death certificate.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Indiana

Five days after the death, if no personal representative is expected to be appointed, the distributees can transfer a vehicle or watercraft title with the Affidavit for Transfer of Certificate of Title for a Vehicle/Watercraft Without Administration and a copy of the death certificate. The claimant swears that the gross probate estate, less liens and encumbrances, is $100,000 or less (the limit for deaths after June 30, 2022) and that no personal representative has been applied for or appointed. A vehicle titled with a transfer on death beneficiary goes to that beneficiary.

Law: Ind. Code secs. 29-1-8-1(c), 9-17-3-9

Source: State Form 18733

Agency
Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV)
Form
State Form 18733 Affidavit for Transfer of Certificate of Title for a Vehicle/Watercraft Without Administration (R10/11-24)
Waiting period
5 days after the death
Fee

BMV title fees apply; ask the BMV.

Transfer-on-death title

An owner can title a vehicle 'A.B. transfers on death to C.D.'. The beneficiary owns it at the owner's death; it is not testamentary and needs no delivery or consideration.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Counts

A vehicle is probate property and counts toward the limit. The BMV can transfer the title five days after the death with its own affidavit.

Law: IC 29-1-8-1(b)(1), (c)

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

Watercraft and other personal property count. The BMV can transfer a watercraft title with its affidavit.

Law: IC 29-1-8-1(c)

Related pages

Free help in Indiana

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