State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Transfer Vehicle from Name of Deceased
Member of Immediate Family

***Important notice on Passport to the Parks fee below***

In order for a vehicle to be transferred to you from the estate of a deceased immediate family member, you must proceed to your local DMV Hub Office or Limited Service Office and present the following:

  • The Certificate of Title, the Title must be assigned to the new owner by the Executor or the Administrator of the estate. If the vehicle is registered in Connecticut but does not require a Certificate of Title, a Supplemental Assignment Of Ownership (form Q-1) completed by the Administrator or Executor of the estate to the purchaser will be required as well as a copy of the most recent registration certificate.
  • An original certified document of the Probate Court Appointment or authority to dispose of the vehicle. A certified copy of the probate document naming the Administrator or Executor of the estate will be needed by the purchaser at the time the vehicle is being registered.
    In those cases where the estate of the decedent falls within certain monetary limits, the court may authorize the transfer of the decedent’s vehicle by issuing a Transfer of Personal Property without Probate Proceedings (form PC-264 or PC-264S).
  •  Acceptable forms of probate documents for vehicle transfers are as follows:  
    • PC-160 Decree
    • PC-212B Petitioner's Probate Certificate
    • PC-260 Decree Granting Administration of Probate of Will
    • PC-264 or PC-264S Decree/Transfer of Personal Property Without Probate Proceedings         
    • PC-450 Fiduciary's Probate Certificate
  • For registration purposes you will be designated as the Purchaser and the estate as the Seller. Section 7 of the Application for Registration and Title (Form H-13B) must be completed. Download the form, fill out online, and print to bring with you. This will make the transaction Exempt from Sales Tax, as long as the vehicle had been previously registered in the immediate family member's name for a period of at least 60 days.
  • A current Connecticut Insurance Card in your name for the vehicle.
  • The most recent registration certificate.
  • Identification is required to register a vehicle. Please see our list of Acceptable Forms of Identification. 
  • If the vehicle was previously registered out of state, please see Purchase of a Used Vehicle Previously Registered Out of State for additional requirements.

Emissions - If the vehicle was previously registered in Connecticut and is not in compliance with Emissions, you may register it first, however you will need to have the vehicle Emissions tested within 30 days of the date of registration or you will accrue a late fee. You will not receive a notice for testing.

To find out if the vehicle you are buying is in compliance, check the date on-line or call (888) 828-8399. Please have Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready.

Note:
A vehicle exempt from sales tax by a family or business relationship cannot be registered if delinquent Property Tax or Parking Tickets are owed, or if the registration is under suspension.
A letter of authorization from the Executor or the Administrator of the estate is required for transfer of a vanity plate.
Beginning in 2018, Connecticut will offer all residents with Connecticut license plates on their vehicles free parking at all state parks and beaches. Connecticut wants to make state parks, forests, trails, historic sites and beaches more available to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer.
A $10 fee, which amounts to $5 per year, will be included in all two-year non-commercial vehicles with new registrations, renewals and plate transfers.  These are passenger cars and vehicles with combination plates as well as motorcycles, campers/motor homes and vehicles with antique car plates.
In addition, seniors 65 years old and older with a one-year registration renewal will have only an additional $5 fee each year.
The new program allows the State of Connecticut to give more to the public that has now invested in our park system: Increased lifeguards, improved park maintenance, shoulder season camping for opening day of fishing and into the fall foliage, and longer hours at our museums and nature centers. When people visit our state parks and other sites they visit local restaurants, shops and local farms. This program brings many economic benefits for our state.
For more information about Connecticut state parks, visit www.ct.gov/deep/stateparks