What is needed to register a car gifted to me? | Ask the DMV

Chuck Hollis
·4 min read
1

Q: What exactly is needed to register a car — a 2010 Hyundai Elantra — that my uncle purchased brand new in 2010? He has since died and his daughter signed the title over to me.

The DMV website has a section on how to transfer registrations after death.
The DMV website has a section on how to transfer registrations after death.

Is the title signed by his daughter acceptable? She also gave me a gift bill of sale.

Other than a VIN check and a TR-1 form, what else is needed?

— Laura Y.

A: Our website, dmv.ri.gov, has a whole section in the “Registration, Plates & Title” tab called “Transfer at Death.” I have provided the four scenarios that your situation has to fit into. These scenarios are the ones for vehicles 2001 and newer, since you indicated the vehicle is a 2010 model. We also provide information for each of these scenarios if the vehicle is 2000 and older; that information can be found in the same area. Forms required are also listed, and all our forms can be printed from our website, found in the “Forms” tab under the “Registration Forms” and Taxation Forms”. Since you indicated that vehicle and title are from Massachusetts, please do get the VIN check.

This transaction can be done in person with a reservation, or all the paperwork can be dropped off at the Cranston DMV Drop Box, 600 New London Ave. Instructions on how to make a reservation can be found on the front page of our website.

Death with Appointment as Administrator or Executor

  • Certificate of Title in deceased's name for all vehicles 2001 and newer.

  • Bill of Sale or Letter of Gift, gifts from non-immediate family members must have gift letter notarized. Immediate family members for purposes of taxation are: parent, stepparent, sibling, stepsibling, spouse, child or stepchild. Complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form if the vehicle is a gift.

  • Original Notice of Appointment from Probate Court naming administrator/trix or executor/trix is the only acceptable document.

  • Administrator/Executor signs title as seller.

  • You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration.

  • You need to complete and sign the Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form.

  • Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table

Next of Kin or Adult Children: No Surviving Spouse, No Executor

  • Certificate of Title in deceased's name for all vehicles 2001 and newer.

  • Bill of Sale or Letter of Gift. Gifts from non-immediate family members must have gift letter notarized. Immediate family members for purposes of taxation are : parent, stepparent, sibling, stepsibling, spouse, child, or stepchild. Complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form if the vehicle is a gift.

  • You need to complete and sign the Sole Heir Affidavit form. The Heir Affidavit is the assignment or transfer. The transfer of ownership on the back of the title is left blank.

  • Original Death Certificate.

  • You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration.

  • You need to complete and sign the Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form.

  • Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table

Parents of Deceased: No Surviving Spouse or Executor

  • Certificate of Title in deceased's name for all vehicles 2001 and newer.

  • Bill of Sale or Letter of Gift. Gifts from non-immediate family members must have gift letter notarized. Immediate family members for purposes of taxation are : parent, stepparent, sibling, stepsibling, spouse, child, or stepchild. Complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form if the vehicle is a gift.

  • Original Death Certificate.

  • You need to complete and sign the Sole Heir Affidavit form. The Heir Affidavit is the assignment or transfer. Transfer of ownership on the back of the title is left blank.

  • You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration.

  • You need to complete and sign the Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form.

  • Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table

No Survivors, No Executor

  • Certificate of Title in deceased's name for all vehicles 2001 and newer.

  • Bill of Sale or Letter of Gift. Gifts from non-immediate family members must have gift letter notarized. Immediate family members for purposes of taxation are : parent, stepparent, sibling, stepsibling, spouse, child, or stepchild. Complete the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicles form if the vehicle is a gift.

  • Original Death Certificate.

  • Voluntary Executor under small estates RIGL 33-24.1. This can be obtained at your local City or Town Hall.

  • You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration.

  • You need to complete and sign the Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form.

  • Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table

Chuck Hollis
Chuck Hollis

Chuck Hollis is assistant administrator of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with “Ask the DMV” in the subject field.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: What is needed to register a car gifted to me? | Ask the RI DMV