How to Transfer a Car Title After Death in Wisconsin

We found no transfer-on-death (TOD) beneficiary option for Wisconsin vehicle titles. Wisconsin's vehicle title law (Wis. Stat. ch. 342) has no TOD provision, and the Title/License Plate Application (MV1) only offers "And" or "Or" co-ownership.

If there is a co-owner on the title, see The Car Was Co-Owned. If the deceased was the only owner, see the surviving spouse, no-probate or executor situations below.

When it applies: the title lists the deceased and another person. What happens depends on the word between the names.

Steps:

1. Look at the title to see whether the names are joined by "or" or "and".
2. "Or" title: only one seller signature is needed. The surviving co-owner signs.
3. "And" title: the surviving co-owner and the deceased's legal representative must both sign. If you are both, sign twice as seller. WisDOT does not define "legal representative" here; usually it is the court-appointed personal representative. If no probate is opened, contact WisDOT to confirm whether a surviving spouse or heir signing MV2300 can sign for the deceased.
4. To take the deceased's name off and get a new title, complete the Statement of Transfer (MV2300) and a Title/License Plate Application (MV1).
5. If the title is lost, add a Replacement Title Application (MV2119).
6. Mail everything with any fee to WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949, or take it to a DMV Customer Service Center.

The $214.50 title fee is waived if every owner on the new title is a Wisconsin resident and the deceased's spouse, domestic partner or another qualifying immediate family member. Submit MV2300 to claim the waiver.

Forms:

• Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner, or Heir (MV2300)
• Title/License Plate Application (MV1)
• Replacement Title Application (MV2119), only if the title is lost

Documents: the original Wisconsin title, MV2300, MV1, the title fee (unless waived) and a lien release, if there is a lien.

When it applies: your spouse or domestic partner was the only name on the title. A surviving spouse or domestic partner can transfer up to 5 solely-owned vehicles without probate (Wis. Stat. 342.17).

• No dollar limit for this route. The limit is the number of vehicles.
• The 5-vehicle limit counts only Wisconsin-titled vehicles less than 20 years old. It does not apply if you use the $50,000 small-estate route instead.
• Vehicles beyond the limit must go through the estate's administrator or executor, or a court order.
• By signing MV2300, you state that you are personally liable for the deceased's debts up to the value of the vehicle(s). The transfer does not remove any liens.

Steps:

1. Confirm your spouse or partner was the only owner. If you were both on the title, see The Car Was Co-Owned.
2. Complete MV2300, checking "Spouse" or "Domestic Partner".
3. Complete an MV1 in your name. Or, to sell the car, you can sign the title as surviving spouse instead (see Selling the Car Instead).
4. If the title is lost, also complete MV2119. The replacement fee is waived for you, but the form is still needed.
5. If a lender holds the title, contact the lender for the title and lien release.
6. Mail the title, MV2300 and MV1 to WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949, or take them to a DMV Customer Service Center.

There is no title fee for a qualifying surviving spouse or domestic partner, and the existing plates can transfer if the car was solely owned by the deceased.

Forms:

• Statement of Transfer of Vehicles (MV2300)
• Title/License Plate Application (MV1)
• Replacement Title Application (MV2119), only if the title is lost

Documents: the original Wisconsin title, MV2300, MV1 and a lien release, if there is a lien.

When it applies: the deceased owned the car alone and left property subject to administration in Wisconsin worth $50,000 or less in gross value (Wis. Stat. 867.03). An heir, or a family member such as a child, parent or sibling, can transfer the car using MV2300.

On MV2300, you certify that "the decedent has no solely-owned property that exceeds $50,000 in value." Up to two new owners fit on one form; use extra MV2300s for more. You can title the car in your name or sign as heir to sell it.

Steps:

1. Confirm the deceased's solely-owned Wisconsin property is $50,000 or less.
2. If the deceased or their spouse ever received Medicaid long-term care or certain other state aid, state law requires notice to the Department of Health Services by certified mail before using this route.
3. Complete MV2300, check your relationship to the deceased (or "None of the above (Heir)"), and sign the certification.
4. Complete an MV1. WisDOT's MV1 Online Application Guide can pre-fill it and estimate fees.
5. If the title is lost, add MV2119 and the $20 replacement fee (waived for qualifying family members).
6. If a lender holds the title, contact the lender for the title and lien release.
7. Mail the title, MV2300, MV1 and fee (check payable to "Registration Fee Trust") to WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949.

Title fee: $214.50, waived only if every new owner is a Wisconsin resident and an immediate family member of the deceased: spouse, domestic partner, parent, child, stepparent, stepchild, sibling, grandparent, grandchild, or the spouse of any of these. Other heirs pay the full fee and cannot take the deceased's license plates, unless another new owner qualifies or the plate type normally stays with the vehicle.

If the property is over $50,000, see An Executor Has Been Appointed.

Forms:

• Statement of Transfer of Vehicles (MV2300)
• Title/License Plate Application (MV1)
• Replacement Title Application (MV2119), only if the title is lost

Documents: the original Wisconsin title, MV2300, MV1, the title fee (unless waived) and a lien release, if there is a lien.

When it applies: the deceased's solely-owned property is over $50,000, or the family opened probate. The car is transferred by the court-appointed personal representative (executor or administrator). WisDOT takes a copy of the personal representative papers instead of MV2300.

Steps:

1. Get the court papers appointing the personal representative (domiciliary letters).
2. The personal representative signs the title as seller and writes "personal representative" after their name.
3. The new owner (an heir or a buyer) completes an MV1.
4. If the new owner is a qualifying family member who wants the title fee waived, they also submit MV2300.
5. Mail the signed title, a copy of the personal representative papers, MV1 and any fees to WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949, or take them to a DMV Customer Service Center.

In a court summary settlement of a small estate, the court's order can direct the transfer of a vehicle title. Contact WisDOT to confirm what it accepts in that case.

Forms:

• Title/License Plate Application (MV1)
• Statement of Transfer of Vehicles (MV2300), only to request the family-member fee waiver

Documents: the original title signed by the personal representative, a copy of the personal representative papers, MV1, the $214.50 title fee (unless waived) and a lien release, if there is a lien.

When it applies: a lender is listed on the title. A transfer to a surviving spouse does not remove any liens (Wis. Stat. 342.17).

Since July 30, 2012, a Wisconsin title with a lien listed is sent to the lienholder. The owner gets a Confirmation of Ownership instead, and the actual title is sent once all liens are cleared.

Steps:

1. Check the title or Confirmation of Ownership for a lienholder. WisDOT also offers an online lien check.
2. Contact the lender about the payoff and what they need from the family or estate.
3. Get the title and lien release from the lender.
4. Submit the lien release with MV2300 and MV1, or with the personal representative papers.
5. If the new owner takes out a new loan on the car, the MV1 loan filing fee is $10 per loan.

To sell the car, WisDOT says you generally need the title first, which means paying off the loan.

Documents: the lien release from the lender and the original title (from the lender, if they hold it).

• Title transfer: $214.50 per title, made up of a $207 title fee and a $7.50 supplemental fee (Wis. Stat. 342.14). This took effect October 1, 2025; older guides may still show $164.50.
• Family waiver: the title fee is waived for a surviving spouse, domestic partner or immediate family member. On MV2300, WisDOT applies it only when every owner on the new title is a Wisconsin resident and qualifies.
• Replacement title (lost title): $20, waived for qualifying family members.
• In person: a $5 counter service fee.
• New loan: $10 per loan.
• License plates: existing plates can transfer to a spouse, domestic partner or qualifying family member if the car was solely owned by the deceased. Other heirs need new plates to drive the car: $85 a year for a passenger vehicle, plus a $12 plate issuance fee ($6 per plate), any local wheel tax, and a $175 (electric) or $75 (hybrid) annual surcharge if it applies.

Sales tax: inheriting a car is not subject to Wisconsin sales or use tax. The state's tax rule says the distribution of a vehicle to an estate's heirs is not a taxable transfer (Wis. Admin. Code Tax 11.83; DOR Publication 202). A sale by the estate's personal representative is taxable to the buyer. The MV1 has no code labeled "inheritance," so contact WisDOT to confirm which tax-exempt code to enter in Section E.

Deceased-owner transfers go to the Wisconsin DMV, by mail or at a DMV Customer Service Center. WisDOT's family guide (BDS367) says: "Please submit these documents by mail."

• By mail: WI Dept. of Transportation, P.O. Box 7949, Madison WI 53707-7949. Make checks payable to "Registration Fee Trust".
• In person: a DMV Customer Service Center, with a $5 counter service fee. Contact the office to confirm whether you need an appointment.
• Online: we found no fully online option for a deceased owner's vehicle. The MV1 Online Application Guide only pre-fills and prints the application with estimated fees.

If the vehicle is titled in another state, a copy of the death certificate may be required. WisDOT's main pages for this are Transfer a vehicle to an heir and Transfer a vehicle to/from a surviving spouse or domestic partner.

You do not always have to retitle the car before selling it. WisDOT's deceased-owner rules allow:

• Surviving spouse or domestic partner: sign the title as seller and give the buyer form MV2300.
• Heir (property of $50,000 or less): sign the title as heir; the buyer submits MV2300, MV1 and fees.
• Personal representative: sign the title as seller with "personal representative" after your name; the buyer submits a copy of the personal representative papers.

In every case, fill in the odometer mileage statement on the title (required by federal law), the selling price, and the buyer's name and address. A Vehicle Transfer and Odometer Mileage Statement (MV2488) may also be needed. Give the buyer a lien release if a lien is listed.

To trade the car in to a Wisconsin dealer, an heir must first get a title in their own name. The buyer pays sales tax on a sale by the estate's personal representative.

If probate is needed, our Wisconsin probate guide walks through it.