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.
Probated Estate
Bring the following to your local county treasurer’s office:
- The original Title Certificate
- A copy of the executor appointment papers issued by Probate Court
- A completed South Dakota Exemptions form (Form MV-609)
- A completed South Dakota Salvage, Recovered Theft, and Uniform Damage Disclosure Statement (Form MV-610), if applicable
- The driver’s license and Social Security numbers of each individual taking ownership of the vehicle
- A $10 title transfer fee
Non-probated Estate
If no executor has been appointed for the estate, the vehicle title will be transferred to the deceased’s immediate heir(s). Bring the following to your local county treasurer’s office, 30 days after the owner’s death:
- An Affidavit of Vehicle Ownership by Succession (Form MV215)
- The original Vehicle Title
- A completed South Dakota Exemptions form (Form MV-609)
- A completed South Dakota Salvage, Recovered Theft, and Uniform Damage Disclosure Statement (Form MV-610), if applicable
- Each heir’s driver’s license number and social security number
- A $10 title transfer fee
If you need assistance dealing with the driver’s license, license plates, or disabled person placards of the deceased, please click here.
