Beneficiary Designation for a Motor Vehicle
Information
An owner or joint owners may designate a beneficiary to whom interest in the motor vehicle transfers upon the death
of the owner or last surviving owner. A designated beneficiary has no interest in a motor vehicle until the owner’s (or
last surviving owner’s) death. Note: A beneficiary does not have to consent to this designation for it to be valid.
The beneficiary designation can only be applied when all the recorded owners are individuals. If any recorded owner
is an entity (such as a business or trust), the beneficiary designation cannot be applied to the motor vehicle record.
In order for a beneficiary to be designated, changed or revoked, this form must be submitted with an Application for
Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), the $28 or $33 title application fee, and valid ownership evidence to a
county tax assessor-collector’s office before the owner’s death. This form must contain original signatures of all
owners.
Multiple Owners
In order for joint owners of a motor vehicle to designate a beneficiary, the joint owners must have entered into a
Rights of Survivorship Agreement (refer to the Rights of Survivorship Agreement for a Motor Vehicle (Form VTR-122)
for more information). Joint owners will not be able to designate a beneficiary unless they have recorded (or are also
recording) the Rights of Survivorship Agreement with the department. The Rights of Survivorship must be indicated
on the Texas title record in order to apply the beneficiary designation. The beneficiary will only have claim to the
motor vehicle after the death of the last surviving owner.
Whether adding, changing, or revoking a beneficiary designation, each owner is required to sign the same form.
Revoking/Changing Beneficiary Designation
This designation may be changed or revoked at any time without the consent of the designated beneficiary. To revoke
or change a beneficiary, this form must be completed. This completed form must be submitted with an Application for
Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), the $28 or $33 title application fee, and the current Texas title.
Upon Owner’s Death
Upon the owner’s (or last surviving owner’s) death, the beneficiary may transfer the motor vehicle into their name if
they survive the owner (or last surviving owner) by 120 hours and the title application is submitted not later than the
180th day after the owner’s (or last surviving owner’s) death. Alternatively, the beneficiary may disclaim (decline)
interest i n the motor vehicle. A beneficiary must obtain a title in their name prior to any subsequent transfer by the
beneficiary. If the beneficiary has not submitted an application by the 180th day or the beneficiary has disclaimed
interest, the motor vehicle may be transferred through heirship or must be probated. A beneficiary that claims a
motor vehicle subject to a lien (or other interest) is subject to those liens (or other interests). A release of lien from
the lienholder on record is required if the current record reflects a lien unless the lien carries forward.
To claim the vehicle, the beneficiary must submit an Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), the
$28 or $33 title application fee, the Texas title in the deceased owner’s name listing the beneficiary, and a death
certificate. A release of lien from the lienholder on record is required if the current record reflects a lien unless the
lien carries forward. If the Texas title in the deceased owner’s name is not available, the beneficiary may obtain a
printout of the motor vehicle record at the time of title application from the county tax assessor-collector.
Note: A will does not revoke or supersede a beneficiary designation, regardless of when the will is made.
VTR-121 Rev 05/18 Form available online at www.TxDMV.gov Page 2 of 2
