Transfer ownership

Learn how to let the DMV know that a vehicle has a new owner

Transfer ownership

Learn how to let the DMV know that a vehicle has a new owner

What you need to know

This page provides vital information about:

  • Transferring a vehicle from a deceased family member
  • When and where to take an emissions test
  • What the Passports to the Parks fee is and associated fees
  • Transferring a vehicle from one immediate family member to another
  • The process for selling a vehicle and related tax information

Important notice on Passports to the Parks fee

Beginning in 2018, Connecticut began offering all residents with Connecticut license plates on their vehicles free parking at all state parks and beaches.

Connecticut wants to make state parks, forests, trails, historic sites, and beaches more available to our residents so they can enjoy the many attractions and beauty they offer.

A $15 fee, which amounts to $5 per year, will be included in all three-year non-commercial vehicles with new registrations, renewals, and plate transfers. These are passenger cars and vehicles with combination plates as well as motorcycles, campers/motor homes, and vehicles with antique car plates.

In addition, seniors age 65 and older with a one-year registration renewal will have only an additional $5 fee each year.

The new program allows the Connecticut to give more to the public that has now invested in our park system:

  • Increased lifeguards
  • Improved park maintenance
  • Shoulder season camping for opening day of fishing and into the fall foliage
  • Longer hours at our museums and nature centers

When people visit our state parks and other sites they visit local restaurants, shops, and local farms. This program brings many economic benefits for our state. 

Click to learn more about Connecticut state parks

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  • Essential information
  • Vehicle transfer process
  • Emissions requirements
  • Tax exemption information
  • Additional information

Essential information

When an immediate family member dies, their vehicle may be able to be passed on to an immediate family member (designated as the purchaser) by the executor or administrator of the deceased family member’s estate (designated as the seller). This happens by updating the vehicle’s title and/or registration to be in the purchaser’s name.

If the vehicle is titled in the state of Connecticut, the seller needs to assign the Certificate of Title to the purchaser. If there are two executors of the estate, both executors are required to reassign ownership to the purchaser. 
Required forms
If the vehicle is registered in Connecticut but doesn’t require a Certificate of Title, the seller needs to request and complete a supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1) assigning ownership to the purchaser. This form is required, as well as a copy of the vehicle’s most recent registration certificate. Learn how to reprint a vehicle registration certificate online for free.

A certified version of the original probate document naming the administrator or executor of the estate is required at the time the vehicle is being registered. The following probate court documents are acceptable for this purpose:

  • PC-160 decree. 
  • PC-212B petitioner's probate certificate. This document must state that transfer of ownership is allowed. 
  • PC-260 decree granting administration of probate will. 
  • PC-264 or PC-264S decree/transfer of personal property without probate proceedings.
  • PC-450 fiduciary's probate certificate.

In certain cases where the estate of the decedent falls within certain monetary limits, the court may authorize the transfer of the decedent’s vehicle by issuing a transfer of personal property without probate proceedings (Form PC-264 or PC-264S).

Vehicle transfer process

To transfer a vehicle from the estate of a deceased immediate family member to another family member (“you”), you must make an appointment at a DMV hub office or branch office.

 

Make an appointment


Bring the following documents to your appointment:

  • The Certificate of Title. The title must be assigned to the new owner by the executor or the administrator of the estate (“seller”). If the vehicle is registered in Connecticut but doesn’t require a title, then the seller will need to complete a supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1) and provide the most recent registration certificate.

  • A certified document of the original Probate Court appointment or authority to dispose of the vehicle. The purchaser of the car will need a certified copy of the probate document naming the administrator or executor of the estate at the time the vehicle is being registered. See Essential Information on this page for acceptable documents.
    • If the estate of the decedent falls within certain monetary limits, the court may authorize the transfer of the decedent’s vehicle by issuing a transfer of personal property without probate proceedings (Form PC-264 or PC-264S).
  • Completed section 7 of the application for registration and title (Form H-13B). For registration purposes, you will be designated as the purchaser and the estate as the seller.
    • If the transfer is tax exempt (see list of tax exemptions in Form H-13B) please additionally fill out section 5 (as long as the vehicle had been previously registered in the immediate family member's name for a period of at least 60 days).
  • A current Connecticut Insurance Card in your name for the vehicle. Learn more about minimum insurance requirements.
  • The most recent registration certificate. Learn how to reprint a vehicle registration certificate online for free.
  • Identification required—see list of acceptable forms of identification for registration.
  • The Certificate of Title showing assignment of ownership  and indicating release of all liens (if any). A title is not required for vehicles with a model year more than 20 years prior to the current year. In that case, a supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1) can be used; you would be designated as the purchaser, and your immediate family member would be designated as the seller.
  • The most recent registration certificate (if available). Learn how to reprint a vehicle registration certificate online for free.
  • A current Connecticut Insurance Card in your name for the vehicle. Learn more about minimum insurance requirements.
  • Completed application for registration and title (Form H-13B). For registration purposes, you will be designated as the purchaser and your immediate family member as the seller.
  • Identification required—see list of acceptable forms of identification for registration.
  • A permission letter from the immediate family member is required to keep the same plates.

Note: If the vehicle was previously registered out of state, please see purchase of a used vehicle previously registered out of state for additional requirements.

Emissions requirements

If the vehicle was previously registered in Connecticut and isn’t compliant with emissions testing, you may register it first. However, you will need to have the vehicle’s emissions tested within 30 days of the date of registration or you will get a late fee. Note: You will not receive a notice for testing.

 

To find out if the vehicle you are buying is compliant, check the date online. Please have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) ready.

Tax exemption information

The vehicle must have been registered in the previous immediate family member’s name for at least 60 days in order to qualify for the sales tax exemption. Section 7 on the application for registration and title (Form H-13B) must be completed to obtain this exemption.


A vehicle exempt from sales tax by a family* or business relationship can’t be registered if it has delinquent property tax or parking tickets are owed, or if the registration is under suspension. Learn more about resolving suspensions.


*No sales tax is due on a vehicle received through the transfer or sale to a member of the immediate family. Immediate family is defined as one’s mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband or wife. Refer to transfer/sale between immediate family members. Delinquent property tax restrictions apply.

Additional information

A letter of authorization from the executor or the administrator of the estate (i.e., the seller) is necessary for transfer of a vanity plate.
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  • Gift process

Gift process

The vehicle must have been registered in the previous immediate family member’s name for at least 60 days in order to qualify for the sales tax exemption. Section 7 on the application for registration and title (Form H-13B) must be completed to obtain this exemption.

Vehicles (and/or vessels) received as gifts have several special requirements. Review the following:

Forms
A completed motor vehicle or vessel gift declaration (Form AU-463), signed by the donor, is required. Note: The donor can’t receive any consideration (cash, property, service, assumption of debt, etc.) in return.

Taxes

  • No sales and use tax are due on a vehicle or vessel received as a gift.
  • The donor of a vehicle or vessel may be subject to Connecticut gift tax. Generally, the gift tax is imposed on the transfer of property by gift during each calendar year. The tax is measured by taxable gifts, as defined for federal gift tax purposes. For more information on tax exemption, please contact the CT Department of Revenue Services.
  • Any vehicle exempt from the sales tax is unable to be transferred if delinquent tax is owed on the vehicle. If the registration is suspended, the vehicle is unable to be transferred to an immediate family member—even as a gift.