Surviving Spouse/Heirship/Inheritance

Learn about transferring the certificate of title of a vehicle following the death of the owner.

The following people can transfer the certificate of title following the death of the owner:

• A surviving spouse
• The personal representative of the decedent's estate
• A court appointed personal representative

Surviving Spouse

To qualify as a surviving spouse, you must have been married to the deceased person at the time of death. Live-in companions and ex-spouses do not qualify.

To obtain a new title and registration for your vehicle, you must submit the following in person at any RMV Service Center:

• A Registration and Title Application (RTA Form) completed and signed by the surviving spouse. It must be stamped by an authorized agent of the insurance company if the vehicle is to remain registered
• Decedent's certificate of title assigned by surviving spouse. If the title is an Electronic Certificate of Title (E-Title), you can skip this step.
• An Affidavit of Surviving Spouse
• A copy of the death certificate listing the name of the spouse

For a Surviving Spouse who is retaining ownership of a passenger vehicle or motorcycle and does NOT wish to keep it registered, please see the instruction below.

To obtain a new title for your vehicle, you must submit the following in person at any RMV Service Center:

• A Registration and Title Application (RTA Form) completed and signed by the surviving spouse.
• Decedent's certificate of title. If the title is an Electronic Title (E-Title), you can skip this step.
• An Affidavit of Surviving Spouse
• A copy of the death certificate listing the name of the spouse

Note: If the title is an E-Title, the title will be issued to you in your name and you will receive a paper title. To keep as an E-Title, you must submit a  Replace/Convert your MA Certificate of Title Application to convert from an E-Title to a paper title and pay the applicable fee. 

For a Surviving Spouse who is NOT retaining ownership of a passenger vehicle or motorcycle and wish to sell the vehicle, you will need to provide following to the purchaser:

If the title is an (E-Title), you must submit aReplace/Convert your MA Certificate of Title Applicationto convert from a paper title to an E-Title and pay the applicable fee. 

Once you receive the paper title, you must submit the following:

• Decedent's Certificate of Title assigned by surviving spouse to the purchaser
• An Affidavit of Surviving Spouse
• A copy of the death certificate listing the name of the spouse

If the Certificate of Title is being held by a lienholder, please contact the lienholder to obtain the title.

A surviving spouse can not transfer a disability plate into their name. 

Heirship (will)

If a decedent has left a will, the personal representative of the estate may transfer ownership of the vehicle. He/she must give the following documents to the new owner:

• A copy of the appointment of personal representative
• Decedent's certificate of title assigned by the personal representative

Inheritance

If a decedent has not left a will, the court appointed personal representative may transfer the title. He/she must provide the following documents:

• A copy of the appointment of personal representative
• Decedent's certificate of title assigned by the personal representative