Transfer a car title after a death in Maine
A surviving spouse can title the vehicle in their own name with the old title (or a duplicate title application, MVT-8, with the fee waived), an Application for Certificate of Title (MVT-2) and a notarized Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Personal Representative (MVT-22).
Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.
Car or vehicle title after a death in Maine
A surviving spouse can title the vehicle in their own name with the old title (or a duplicate title application, MVT-8, with the fee waived), an Application for Certificate of Title (MVT-2) and a notarized Affidavit of Surviving Spouse or Personal Representative (MVT-22). If there is no surviving spouse, no surviving joint owner and no personal representative, an heir who is a Maine resident (such as a child, parent or sibling) can title it with the title, form MVT-2, a notarized MVT-22 from each heir, a lien release if the car was financed (or lienholder consent, MVT-27), and a statement from the probate court that no will has been probated.
Law: 29-A M.R.S. ch. 7
- Agency
- Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (Secretary of State), Division of Title Services
- Fee
For a surviving spouse, no title fee is charged if the person was a Maine resident and the vehicle was registered and titled in Maine (a $10 rush fee applies if you want rush service). For an heir, the title application fee is $33, plus $10 for rush service.
Source: Official page
Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?
| Kind of property | How it is treated | Details |
|---|---|---|
Cars and other vehicles | Counts | A car in the person's name is part of the estate and counts at its value minus any loan. The BMV has its own steps for a spouse or heir to retitle it. Law: 18-C M.R.S. sec. 3-1201(1)(A) |
Boats and mobile or manufactured homes | Counts | A boat, camper or mobile home in the person's name counts at its value minus liens. Law: 18-C M.R.S. sec. 3-1201(1)(A) |
Related pages
Free help in Maine
A court self-help center or a legal aid office can check whether the estate qualifies, free of charge or at low cost.
- Pine Tree Legal Assistance
- Maine Probate Courts: probate forms
- Maine Probate Courts: cost-of-living amounts (including the small estate affidavit limit)
- 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