Transfer a car title after a death in Kentucky

Kentucky vehicle titles are handled by the county clerk using the Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration (TC 96-182). For a person who died, the clerk needs court papers showing who may transfer the vehicle, such as the District Court order dispensing with administration (which lists the vehicle by VIN) or letters of a personal representative.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Kentucky

Kentucky vehicle titles are handled by the county clerk using the Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration (TC 96-182). For a person who died, the clerk needs court papers showing who may transfer the vehicle, such as the District Court order dispensing with administration (which lists the vehicle by VIN) or letters of a personal representative.

Law: KRS 395.455; form AOC-830; KYTC form TC 96-182

Agency
County clerk (Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Division of Motor Vehicle Licensing)
Form
TC 96-182 Application for Kentucky Certificate of Title or Registration (Rev. 06/2026)
Fee

The county clerk charges title and transfer fees.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Counts

Vehicles in the person's name count and are listed on the petition with their VIN.

Law: Form AOC-830

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Not clear

The law does not separately address boats or mobile homes.

Law: KRS 395.455

Related pages

Free help in Kentucky

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