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Beneficiaries and Surviving Spouse Transfers

Adding a Beneficiary

An individual, as a sole owner of a motor vehicle, watercraft or outboard motor, may elect to designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to an Ohio title. The beneficiary may be an individual, a corporation, an organization, a trust or other legal entity. 
What do I need to add a beneficiary to my title?

  1. Original Ohio Title 
  2. Affidavit for designation of beneficiary (BMV 3811) 
  3. Application for Certificate of Title. 
  4. A government issued driver’s license or identification card. 
  5. $15.00 title fee* * add $1.00 fee per notarization. We accept cash, check or credit card payments (with a 3% fee). Please make checks payable to: Franklin County Clerk of Courts. Note: Affidavit for designation of beneficiary and application for certificate of title can be obtained and completed in our office

Upon the death of the owner, the beneficiary submits the title, a certified copy of the death certificate and proper identification to apply for a title in their name. (ORC §2131.13)
The beneficiary may receive title transfers without probate court proceedings if none of the items are disposed of by a will.

Surviving Spouse Transfers

If the owner did not add a beneficiary to their title prior to their death, the surviving spouse may still apply for a Surviving Spouse Transfer. 
Steps to obtaining a title transfer upon death of a spouse.

  1. Surviving Spouse Affidavit must be signed by the surviving spouse and notarized and will include the value of the vehicle. This form will accompany the certificate of title for issuance.
  2. A certified copy of the death certificate.
  3. Provide a government issued driver’s license or identification card
  4. Any number of vehicles may be transferred whose combined value does not exceed $65,000
  5. Odometer reading is not required 
  6. No tax or tax form is due
  7. If there is a lien on the decedent's title that is going to be carried forward, the title may be issued "without" the loan agreement or letter from the lien holder. A memorandum certificate will be issue for the surviving spouse to obtain license plates.

Surviving Spouse Q and A's

Can a person take title to a recreational vehicle by surviving spouse?

No, a recreational vehicle is not an automobile as defined in External linkORC §2106.18.

Can a person take title to a truck by surviving spouse?

Yes, if the truck was used as a conveyance vehicle by the deceased or the decedent's family. Commercial trucks such as a Kenworth or Peterbilt cannot be titled by Surviving Spouse.

Can a person take title to a motorcycle by surviving spouse?

Yes, this went into effect on March 23, 2006 in House Bill 246. The decedent must have passed away after March 23, 2006.

Can a person take title to a mobile home/manufactured home by surviving spouse?

No, we cannot title a mobile or manufactured home as it is not an automobile as defined in External linkORC §2106.18.