How to Transfer Title of a Vehicle into the Beneficiary’s Name After Probate

The physical Nevada Certificate of Title form does not immediately lend itself to transferring title of a vehicle to an inheriting party.  It’s barely straight-forward enough to accommodate a simple private party sale, let alone a transfer from a decedent’s estate to the deserving beneficiary.  With that in mind, I did a little research, made some calls, and have been able to put together a step-by-step process for transferring title from the decedent to the estate beneficiary after close of probate.  Please be aware that this information is current as of April 25, 2016 and gathered from multiple calls with the DMV and some online research.  Your situation may cause the process to be a little different.  When in doubt, call DMV Title Research at 1-877-368-7828.  I found them to be very helpful and patient.

*Note completing an affidavit of entitlement (NV DMV Form VP 024) may oftentimes be the more appropriate method to transfer title where no formal probate was opened.

Before you get started you will need two documents.  The first, of course, is the original Certificate of Title.  If you do not have that give the DMV call.  The second is a copy of the court order naming the petitioning party/appointed executor and the entitled beneficiary.  Refer to these when filling in the title information as the DMV will be confirming your inputted information with the provided order.

1. Note the existing owner name just below the vehicle info on the physical Certificate of Title.  That must be the named decedent in the probate.
2. Just below the owner name will be the lienholder info.  If there is a lienholder, a release must be obtained before title can be transferred.
3. Below the lienholder info are the names of the buyer(s).  Here, you will write in the name or names of the beneficiary(ies) entitled to the vehicle.  This must match the order of distribution from the court.  Print their names and their driver’s license numbers.  Check either the ‘and’ or ‘or’ boxes depending on how the title will be vested based on the court order.
4. Next, write in the address of the new owner.
5. If the vehicle is nine years old or newer, write in the current odometer reading.  If older than nine years, check the ‘Exempt’ box and you may leave the mileage.
6. Next, you will complete the seller information.  Jump over to the ‘Print’ line.  Fill that in as follows: write in the decedent’s name (who should be the same as the existing owner listed above), the name of the Executor/Petitioner, followed by the title of the signing party.  For example, if Johnathan Doe was the deceased vehicle owner and James Doe was the petitioner at probate you would write:  Johnathan Doe, James Doe, Petitioner.  Now jump back to the ‘Signature’ line and sign.
7. Have the new owner print their name and sign the odometer certification.
8. Finally, flip over the title.  At the very bottom you’ll find the ‘Lien’ box.  Fill in the lienholder info (if it’s not already completed).  If there is no lienholder, then write ‘NONE.’
9. Mail in the title, a copy of the court order supporting the information you filled in, and the title fee of $29.25 (as of 4/25/16) to: DMV Title Research, 555 Wright Way, Carson City, NV 89711.  It also doesn’t hurt to include a cover letter explaining exactly what you are sending in, what you are trying to achieve, and contact information for the DMV to follow up with you, if necessary.  The spaces to write in are very small so supplementary info can be helpful.

You also have the option of visiting a local DMV office to submit the paperwork in person.  When successfully completed, a new Certificate of Title will be
mailed to the address you provided enabling you to sell or register the vehicle as your own.