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Probate Court Appointment or Small Estates Proceedings

When a title shows only the deceased name the following legal documents are required to change ownership:

  • Title in decedents name
  • Copy of court order appointing personal representative 
    or executor of estate     or  Letters of Testamentary or  Original Small Estates Proceedings *
  • Official copy of Death Certificate

The representative named on court papers or Small Estates Proceedings must sign in the seller’s section for the deceased party when transferring ownership.

*County motor vehicle compliance agents can provide Small Estate Proceedings at local motor vehicle offices.

If two names appear on the title and JTWROS (Joint Tenancy With Rights of Survivorship) does not appear the following documents are required when transferring ownership:

  • Title
  • Original copy of Death Certificate
  • Court order with personal representative named or Original Small Estates Proceedings

To transfer ownership the title must be signed in seller’s section by surviving owner and personal representative or executor for the deceased owner.

The appearance of two names on the title and JTWROS means that only the death certificate and the signature of the surviving owner in the seller’s section are all that is needed to transfer ownership.
 
For more information please contact us or visit any Denver Motor Vehicle branch office.
 
Page revised July 24, 2009

 
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