Transfer a vehicle to/from a surviving spouse or domestic partner

Sole ownership of vehicle

If the deceased is the only name on the title(s), a surviving spouse or domestic partner can transfer ownership of up to five vehicles solely owned by the deceased spouse or domestic partner.

You may either title the vehicle(s) in your name or sign the title on the back as the surviving spouse or domestic partner in order to sell the vehicle

To transfer ownership to your name, please submit by mail or at a DMV Customer Service Center:

  • Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner or Heir Form MV2300
  • Certificate of Title
  • Wisconsin Title & License Plate Form MV1
  • There is no title transfer fee for qualifying surviving spouses or surviving domestic partners

Send to: WI Dept. of Transportation

P.O. Box 7949
Madison WI 53707-7949

When more than five vehicles that are less than 20 years old were solely owned by the deceased, the remaining vehicles must be disposed of through:

  • An administrator of the estate
  • An executor of the estate
  • A court order

Joint ownership with spouse or domestic partner

  • If the title lists you “or” the deceased, only one seller signature is required; the surviving co-owner should sign as the seller.
  • If the title lists you “and” the deceased, the surviving co-owner and the deceased’s legal representative must sign the title as the seller. If you are both the co-owner and the deceased’s legal representative you should sign the title twice as the seller.
  • To remove the name of the deceased on the title and receive a new title, send to WisDOT:
    • Form MV2300 Statement of Transfer of Vehicles to or by a Surviving Family Member, Domestic Partner or Heir
    • The Certificate of Title. If the title is lost, a form MV2119 Replacement Title Application is required.

How to transfer ownership to heir

An heir may transfer vehicle ownership when a decedent leaves solely-owned property not exceeding $50,000 in value. See transfer a vehicle to an heir.

Resource: Wisconsin DMV guide for family members of recently deceased

Questions?
Email Wisconsin DMV email service

Phone