When an immediate family member dies, their vehicle may be able to be passed on to an immediate family member (designated as the purchaser) by the executor or administrator of the deceased family member’s estate (designated as the seller). This happens by updating the vehicle’s title and/or registration to be in the purchaser’s name.

If the vehicle is titled in the state of Connecticut, the seller needs to assign the Certificate of Title to the purchaser. If there are two executors of the estate, both executors are required to reassign ownership to the purchaser. 
Required forms
If the vehicle is registered in Connecticut but doesn’t require a Certificate of Title, the seller needs to request and complete a supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1) assigning ownership to the purchaser. This form is required, as well as a copy of the vehicle’s most recent registration certificate. Learn how to reprint a vehicle registration certificate online for free.

A certified version of the original probate document naming the administrator or executor of the estate is required at the time the vehicle is being registered. The following probate court documents are acceptable for this purpose:

• PC-160 decree. 
• PC-212B petitioner's probate certificate. This document must state that transfer of ownership is allowed. 
• PC-260 decree granting administration of probate will. 
• PC-264 or PC-264S decree/transfer of personal property without probate proceedings.
• PC-450 fiduciary's probate certificate.

In certain 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).

To transfer a vehicle from the estate of a deceased immediate family member to another family member (“you”), you must make an appointment at a DMV hub office or branch office.

Make an appointment

Bring the following documents to your appointment:

• The Certificate of Title. The title must be assigned to the new owner by the executor or the administrator of the estate (“seller”). If the vehicle is registered in Connecticut but doesn’t require a title, then the seller will need to complete a supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1) and provide the most recent registration certificate.
  
  
• A certified document of the original Probate Court appointment or authority to dispose of the vehicle. The purchaser of the car will need a certified copy of the probate document naming the administrator or executor of the estate at the time the vehicle is being registered. See Essential Information on this page for acceptable documents.
  • If 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).
• Completed section 7 of the application for registration and title (Form H-13B). For registration purposes, you will be designated as the purchaser and the estate as the seller.
  • If the transfer is tax exempt (see list of tax exemptions in Form H-13B) please additionally fill out section 5 (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. Learn more about minimum insurance requirements.
• The most recent registration certificate. Learn how to reprint a vehicle registration certificate online for free.
• Identification required—see list of acceptable forms of identification for registration.
• The Certificate of Title showing assignment of ownership  and indicating release of all liens (if any). A title is not required for vehicles with a model year more than 20 years prior to the current year. In that case, a supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1) can be used; you would be designated as the purchaser, and your immediate family member would be designated as the seller.
• The most recent registration certificate (if available). Learn how to reprint a vehicle registration certificate online for free.
• A current Connecticut Insurance Card in your name for the vehicle. Learn more about minimum insurance requirements.
• Completed application for registration and title (Form H-13B). For registration purposes, you will be designated as the purchaser and your immediate family member as the seller.
• Identification required—see list of acceptable forms of identification for registration.
• A permission letter from the immediate family member is required to keep the same plates.

Note: If the vehicle was previously registered out of state, please see purchase of a used vehicle previously registered out of state for additional requirements.

If the vehicle was previously registered in Connecticut and isn’t compliant with emissions testing, you may register it first. However, you will need to have the vehicle’s emissions tested within 30 days of the date of registration or you will get a late fee. Note: You will not receive a notice for testing.

To find out if the vehicle you are buying is compliant, check the date online. Please have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready.

The vehicle must have been registered in the previous immediate family member’s name for at least 60 days in order to qualify for the sales tax exemption. Section 7 on the application for registration and title (Form H-13B) must be completed to obtain this exemption.

A vehicle exempt from sales tax by a family* or business relationship can’t be registered if it has delinquent property tax or parking tickets are owed, or if the registration is under suspension. Learn more about resolving suspensions.

*No sales tax is due on a vehicle received through the transfer or sale to a member of the immediate family. Immediate family is defined as one’s mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband or wife. Refer to transfer/sale between immediate family members. Delinquent property tax restrictions apply.