Transfer a car title after a death in Rhode Island

Unless the will says otherwise, the person's motor vehicles belong by law to the surviving spouse. The DMV registers them in the spouse's name when the spouse brings a certified death certificate and the vehicle registrations, with no fee for the new title.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in Rhode Island

Unless the will says otherwise, the person's motor vehicles belong by law to the surviving spouse. The DMV registers them in the spouse's name when the spouse brings a certified death certificate and the vehicle registrations, with no fee for the new title. Others who receive a vehicle by inheritance apply for a new title with the last title, proof of the transfer (such as a probate court certificate of a voluntary administrator or executor) and a title application.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws secs. 31-3.1-37, 31-3.1-14

Agency
Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV)
Fee

No title fee for a surviving spouse; in the year of transfer the spouse pays no registration fee if the person had paid it (otherwise a pro rata amount). Other title fees are set by the DMV.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

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

A car is tangible personal property, so it is not counted. Unless the will says otherwise, the person's cars pass by law to the surviving spouse.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws secs. 33-24-1(a), 31-3.1-37

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Left out

Boats and other tangible personal property are not counted.

Law: R.I. Gen. Laws sec. 33-24-1(a)

Related pages

Free help in Rhode Island

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