Transfer a car title after a death in West Virginia

If the title was joint with 'OR', the surviving owner signs the title alone; if joint with 'AND', the survivor signs and an executor, administrator or legal heir signs for the person who died. If the person owned the vehicle alone and left no will and no administrator was appointed, the legal heirs complete the Legal Heir Affidavit, signed before a notary, with a copy of the death certificate; any other heirs sign to give up their rights to the vehicle.

Checked against official sources: October 30, 2026.

Car or vehicle title after a death in West Virginia

If the title was joint with 'OR', the surviving owner signs the title alone; if joint with 'AND', the survivor signs and an executor, administrator or legal heir signs for the person who died. If the person owned the vehicle alone and left no will and no administrator was appointed, the legal heirs complete the Legal Heir Affidavit, signed before a notary, with a copy of the death certificate; any other heirs sign to give up their rights to the vehicle. If there is a will, a certified copy of the executor's or administrator's letters of appointment is needed; the DMV does not accept a copy of a will. License plates can be transferred to legal heirs; the new owner needs insurance in their name to register.

Law: form DMV-185-TR; W. Va. Code 17A-3-4

Source: form DMV-185-TR

Agency
West Virginia Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Department of Transportation
Form
DMV-185-TR Legal Heir Affidavit (Rev. 11/2021)
Fee

$15 title fee, plus registration or transfer fees. Transfers between spouses or between parent and child titled in West Virginia do not need a gift affidavit for the sales tax exemption.

Source: Official page

Do vehicles count toward the small estate limit?

Kind of propertyHow it is treatedDetails
Cars and other vehicles
Counts

A motor vehicle in the person's name alone is a small asset and counts at fair market value. Separately, if there is no will and no administrator, heirs can retitle a vehicle with the DMV's Legal Heir Affidavit.

Law: W. Va. Code 44-1A-1(b)(4); WV DMV form DMV-185-TR

Boats and mobile or manufactured homes
Counts

A boat or other tangible personal property in the person's name alone counts.

Law: W. Va. Code 44-1A-1(b)(4)

Related pages

Free help in West Virginia

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