You need to continue regular car payments, maintain vehicle registration, and then transfer the car’s ownership. You cannot drive the car unless you have proper registration, and penalties will be charged if this is not done on time.
Surviving Spouse
Bring the following to the DMV:
- Completed and signed Application for Registration (refer to the third page of the document for information on what document sections need to be completed)
- Completed and signed Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form
- If the model year of the vehicle is 2001 or newer, a title in the name of the deceased person is required
- The current registration in the name of the deceased person
- An original Death Certificate
There is no fee associated with this transaction.
Death with Appointed Administrator or Executor
For vehicles from year 2001 and newer, bring the following to the DMV:
- Certificate of Title in deceased name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Original Notice of Appointment from Probate Court naming the administrator or executor
- Signed title (by executor or administrator as seller)
- Completed and signed Application for Registration
- Completed and signed Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form
- Fee
For vehicles from year 2000 and older, bring the following to the DMV:
- Old Registration in Deceased’s name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Original Notice of Appointment from Probate Court naming the administrator or executor
- Signed title (by executor or administrator as seller)
- Completed and signed Application for Registration (TR-1 form)
- Completed and signed Sales Tax Form (T-334-2 form) or Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form (T-333-1 form)
Next of Kin or Adult Children: No Surviving Spouse, No Executor
For all vehicles from year 2001 and newer, bring the following to the DMV:
- Certificate of Title in deceased name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Completed and signed Sole Heir Affidavit form
- Original Death Certificate
- Completed and signed Application for Registration
- Completed and signed Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form
- Fee
For vehicles from year 2000 and older, bring the following to the DMV:
- Old Registration in Deceased’s name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Completed and signed Application for Registration (TR-1 form)
- Completed and signed Sales Tax Form (T-334-2 form) or Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form (T-333-1 form)
- Completed and signed Sole Heir Affidavit form
Parents of Deceased: No Surviving Spouse or Executor
For all vehicles from year 2001 and newer, bring the following to the DMV:
- Certificate of Title in deceased name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Completed and signed Sole Heir Affidavit form
- Original Death Certificate
- Completed and signed Application for Registration
- Completed and signed Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form
- Fee
For vehicles from year 2000 and older, bring the following to the DMV:
- Old Registration in Deceased’s name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Completed and signed Application for Registration (TR-1 form)
- Completed and signed Sales Tax Form (T-334-2 form) or Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form (T-333-1 form)
- Completed and signed Sole Heir Affidavit form
No Survivors, No Executor
- For all vehicles from year 2001 and newer, bring the following to the DMV:
- Certificate of Title in deceased name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Original Death Certificate
- Voluntary Executor under small estates RI General Law 33-24.1 (obtained at local City or Town Hall)
- Completed and signed Application for Registration
- Completed and signed Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form
- Fee
For vehicles from year 2000 and older, bring the following to the DMV:
- Old Registration in Deceased’s name
- Bill of Sales or Letter of Gift. If the vehicle is a gift, complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form
- Completed and signed Application for Registration (TR-1 form)
- Completed and signed Sales Tax Form (T-334-2 form) or Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form (T-333-1 form)
- Voluntary Executor under small estates RI General Law 33-24.1 (obtained at local City or Town Hall)
If you need assistance dealing with the driver’s license, license plates, or disabled person placards of the deceased, please click here.
