TRENTON — New Jersey allows vehicle owners to designate a Transfer on Death beneficiary for their car, helping next of kin bypass the probate process.
How Transfer on Death Works in New Jersey
- The Designation: Registered vehicle owners can complete a Transfer on Death Beneficiary Designation Form to name a beneficiary who will receive ownership after the owner’s death.
- Bypassing Probate: The vehicle does not become part of the formal estate, meaning no letters of administration are required for the transfer.
- Keeping the Form: The form is kept by the vehicle owner rather than filed immediately with the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC).
Claiming the Vehicle After the Owner’s Death
When the owner passes away, the designated beneficiary must present the following documents to the MVC:
- The completed Transfer on Death Beneficiary Designation Form. Click here to download the form.
- The current vehicle title
- A certified copy of the owner’s death certificate
- A universal title application along with valid personal identification
- Proof that any existing liens on the vehicle have been paid or transferred
The Next-of-Kin Registry
The Next-of-Kin Registry is a New Jersey statewide web-based system that allows individuals at least 14 years of age to voluntarily submit and maintain emergency contact information through the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission. This non-public information will only be used by law enforcement officers to locate designated emergency contacts in the event that a person is involved in a vehicle crash that renders him or her unable to communicate.
The Next-of-Kin Registry was established in response to “Sara’s Law,” which was created in memory of Sara Elizabeth Dubinin of Sayreville. Miss Dubinin became unresponsive following a motor vehicle crash and lapsed into a coma before her parents could be notified. She eventually passed away. The law sought to ensure that an emergency contact could be notified immediately in the event of a vehicle crash.
Residents can register or update Next-of-Kin information online, or by mail by printing out the form, completing the information and mailing it to:
New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Driver Management Unit – Data Entry
Post Office Box 134
Trenton, New Jersey 08666-0134
Information needed to fill out the form:
- Applicant’s first and last name
- Applicant’s address
- Applicant’s driver’s license number (or non-driver identification card number)
- Applicant’s full Social Security number (online only)
- Up to two emergency contacts, with first name, last name and primary 10-digit phone number (example: (609) 292-6500) for each
- Applicant’s signature
- Parent or guardian signature, if the applicant is under 18 years old
- If you are a parent of a minor, the same last name, a birth certificate and marriage license are required for verification
- If you are the guardian of the minor, guardianship papers and/or any legal paperwork showing this must be shown for verification
Note:
- It is the sole responsibility of all individuals who use the registry to ensure the accuracy of the information they submit and to keep it up to date.
- Emergency contacts must be at least 18 years old.
- If the registry user is under 18 years of age, the emergency contact must be his or her parent or legal guardian.
Contacts may be changed and/or added at any time by logging onto the registry online or mailing in an updated form.
To learn more about the Next-of-Kin Registry, click here.
