Deal with a vehicle in Washington, D.C.

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.

Vehicle Jointly Titled

A vehicle may be jointly owned. If one party is deceased, the living owner must apply for the certificate of the title. This title transfer is exempt from excise tax. The living owner must bring the following to the DMV office:

• An authenticated Death Certificate

• The certificate of title in the names of the living and deceased parties

Vehicle Not Jointly Titled

If the vehicle is not jointly titled, the living inheritor wishing to transfer a vehicle title from the deceased must bring the following to the DMV office:

• The assignment of title executed by the deceased’s estate executor or administrator

• One of the following documents:

  • An authenticated copy of the letters of testamentary or administration issued by probate court, or,

  • An authenticated copy of the small estate order (that includes the given vehicle as an estate asset), or

  • The trust agreement (in the event that the deceased titled the vehicle in the name of a trust), which should include the name of the trust, trustor, trustee, beneficiary, and the signature of the trustor and trustee

• A DC DMV application for a Certificate of Title

• An authenticated Death Certificate

If eligible for an excise tax gift exemption, this form lists additional documents you must provide for the exemption.

Note: there are certain circumstances in which the inheritor may need to bring additional documentation to the DC DMV office. This link provides additional information on these special situations.

Additionally, if you need to deal with driver’s licenses, license plates, or disabled person placards, please click here.