Transfer a car title after a death in New Jersey

All transfers are done in person at an MVC vehicle center (make an appointment). If the title is in both spouses' or partners' names, the survivor brings the signed title, a copy of the death certificate and a notarized affidavit.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in New Jersey

All transfers are done in person at an MVC vehicle center (make an appointment). If the title is in both spouses' or partners' names, the survivor brings the signed title, a copy of the death certificate and a notarized affidavit. If the title is in the person's name alone and there was no will: a surviving spouse or partner (estate up to $50,000) brings the title and an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse with the County Surrogate's raised seal; an heir with no spouse or partner (estate up to $20,000) brings the title and an Affidavit of Next of Kin with the Surrogate's raised seal. For larger estates, or when there is a will, the administrator or executor signs the title and presents the Surrogate's short certificate. Liens must be paid before a new title is issued unless the lien moves to the sole owner.

Law: N.J.S.A. 39:3-30.1b, 39:3-30.1c; N.J.S. 3B:10-3, 3B:10-4

Source: form BA-62

Agency
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC)
Fee

$60 title fee. An existing registration can be transferred to an immediate family member for $4.50.

Transfer-on-death title

An owner can name a transfer-on-death beneficiary for a New Jersey-titled vehicle. The vehicle is then not part of the estate and no letters are needed: after the death the beneficiary presents the completed Transfer on Death Beneficiary form, the title, the death certificate and a Universal Title Application. A will does not override the TOD designation.

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; the MVC accepts the sealed affidavit to transfer it. A vehicle titled with a transfer-on-death beneficiary, or in both spouses' names, passes outside the estate.

Law: N.J.S. 3B:10-3, 3B:10-4; N.J.S.A. 39:3-30.1b

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

A boat, mobile home or other personal property in the person's name alone counts.

Law: N.J.S. 3B:10-3, 3B:10-4

Related pages

Free help in New Jersey

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