Transfer a car title after a death in Massachusetts

A married resident's passenger car or motorcycle passes to the surviving spouse by law unless the will says otherwise; the spouse uses the RMV Affidavit of Surviving Spouse with the death certificate and title, and no court case is needed.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Massachusetts

A married resident's passenger car or motorcycle passes to the surviving spouse by law unless the will says otherwise; the spouse uses the RMV Affidavit of Surviving Spouse with the death certificate and title, and no court case is needed. For other heirs, a voluntary personal representative (or an appointed personal representative) is treated as the estate's representative for vehicle transfers and can sign over the title. An heir who receives a vehicle from an estate can claim a sales or use tax exemption on Department of Revenue form MVU-27, with the personal representative's notice of appointment attached.

Law: Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 90D, sec. 15A

Agency
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV), MassDOT
Form
RMV Affidavit of Surviving Spouse
Fee

Title change fee waived for a surviving spouse. Other transfers pay the RMV's regular title and registration fees.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Left out

One motor vehicle owned by the person is not counted toward the $25,000. A married resident's passenger car passes to the surviving spouse by law unless the will says otherwise.

Law: G.L. c. 190B, sec. 3-1201; G.L. c. 90D, sec. 15A

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

A boat or other personal property in the person's name alone counts. Ask the Probate and Family Court registry how to treat a mobile home.

Law: G.L. c. 190B, sec. 3-1201

Related pages

Free help in Massachusetts

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