Transfer on death (TOD)
A designation that passes an asset directly to a named person when the owner dies, without probate.
What it means
A transfer-on-death designation is made by the owner during their lifetime and takes effect only on death. Until then the owner keeps complete control and the named person has no rights at all.
It usually appears on investment accounts, vehicle titles and, in many states, deeds to real property.
Why it matters
It is one of the cleanest ways to keep something out of probate, and it is often available for exactly the assets families find hardest to move.
It generally cannot be overridden by a will, which is a feature when it is intended and a problem when it is forgotten.
When you are likely to meet it
- On a certificate of title that reads 'transfer on death to' or carries the letters TOD.
- On brokerage paperwork.
- When planning ahead and wondering how to avoid probate for one specific thing.
For example
A car titled 'A.B. transfers on death to C.D.' passes to C.D. on A.B.'s death, on proof of the death and an application — even if A.B.'s will leaves the car to somebody else.
How this varies by state
Which assets can carry a designation, how it is made, and whether it can be revoked by will are all state questions. Several states added vehicle designations only recently, and a few have them starting in a future year.
Below is how the states Sahvelo has published describe it, in their own words, each linked to the guide that sources it.
Alaska
Transfer on death title
Alaska's vehicle and boat transfer-on-death instrument, created by AS 13.33.401 and effective 1 July 2026. It is a certificate of title containing the words 'transfer on death to' or the abbreviation 'TOD' and the names of not more than two beneficiaries. It is a nontestamentary transfer, cannot be revoked by will or by a change in circumstances, and passes the title only if the beneficiary survives the owner by 120 hours.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) AS 13.33.401, added by Enrolled SB 104
California
Transfer on Death (TOD) beneficiary
Under California Vehicle Code §4150.7 (Uniform TOD Security Registration Act, Cal. Prob. Code §5500 et seq.), a vehicle owner may name a transfer-on-death beneficiary on the California Certificate of Title. On the owner's death, the title transfers to the named beneficiary without probate. The beneficiary has no ownership interest during the owner's lifetime and may be changed or revoked at any time.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Cal. Veh. Code §4150.7, Cal. Prob. Code §5500
Colorado
Colorado's transfer-on-death instrument for a vehicle under C.R.S. § 42-6-110.5, available since 10 August 2016. The Division must make it available in each public office and on its website. It carries the vehicle's details, every owner's name, the words 'transfer on death to' or 'TOD' and the beneficiary, and every owner's signature — and it cannot be revoked by will.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) C.R.S. § 42-6-110.5
Illinois
Beneficiary on a vehicle title
A person named on the face of an Illinois certificate of title, under the heading BENEFICIARY INFORMATION, who becomes the owner when the present owner dies. The designation is made on the title application and printed on the title. Only one may be named; the car must be solely owned by an individual with no lienholder; and while the owner is alive the beneficiary owns nothing and can be removed without being told. After the owner has died it can only be undone by a court.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) 625 ILCS 5/3-104(a-5) and 3-107(b-5), 92 Ill. Adm. Code 1010.150(d)
Indiana
Transfer on death beneficiary
A person named on an Indiana certificate of title to take the vehicle when the owner dies. The owner creates the interest by obtaining a title conveying it, and the resulting title prints a statement similar to "[Owner] transfers on death to [TOD Beneficiary]". The designation is not valid unless the owner signed the TOD statement, on the signature line on the face of the title, before their death — printing it is not the act.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Indiana BMV — Titles: Transfer on Death
Kansas
Transfer-on-death form
A Kansas certificate of title carrying a designation of a beneficiary or beneficiaries to whom the vehicle transfers on the death of the owner, or of the last survivor of joint tenant with right of survivorship owners — subject to the rights of all lien holders. It is included in the certificate itself rather than filed separately, and it is claimed on form TR-82.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) K.S.A. 59-3508, Kansas DOR — form TR-82
Minnesota
Transfer-on-death title
A Minnesota certificate showing the owner's name, any joint owners with their survivorship rights, and the words "transfer-on-death to" — or "TOD" — followed by the beneficiary's name. No consideration is needed and the certificate never has to reach the beneficiary. Where the owner is married, naming anybody other than their spouse requires the spouse's written consent. Ownership vests in the beneficiary on the death, subject to the rights of secured parties.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Minn. Stat. § 168A.125
Missouri
Certificate of ownership in beneficiary form
A Missouri title that carries the words "transfer on death to" or the abbreviation "TOD" after the owner's name. It can be requested by a sole owner, or by multiple owners holding as joint tenants with right of survivorship or as tenants by the entirety, but not by tenants in common. The beneficiary has no ownership benefit until the owner dies, their consent is never needed for anything in the meantime, and the designation cannot be revoked by a will.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Mo. Rev. Stat. § 301.681
Nevada
Certificate of title in beneficiary form
A Nevada title carrying, after the owners' names, the words transfer on death to or the abbreviation TOD followed by a beneficiary's name. It is a directive to the Department to transfer the title on the death of the owner or of all joint owners. It cannot be issued to a tenant in common, and the designation cannot be revoked by will, by any other instrument or by a change in circumstances.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Nev. Rev. Stat. § 482.247
New Jersey
Transfer on death form
A way of titling a vehicle so that ownership vests in a named beneficiary at the owner's death, created by P.L.2022 c.13 and available since May 2023. The vehicle is not part of the estate and no letters of administration are required. The beneficiary has no interest while the owner lives and can be removed without being told, and a will cannot revoke the designation regardless of when it was made.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) N.J.S.A. 39:3-30.1b
Ohio
Transfer-on-death beneficiary
A person named on an Ohio certificate of title who becomes the owner when the present owner dies, shown after the owner's name by the words transfer-on-death or the abbreviation TOD. The designation has no effect on ownership while the owner is alive, and the owner may cancel or change it at any time without the beneficiary's consent. A beneficiary who does not survive the owner takes nothing.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Ohio R.C. 2131.13
South Carolina
Transfer on Death designation
A beneficiary named on a South Carolina certificate of title, made on form TOD-1 under § 62-6-401. Only the owners can add or remove one, all owners must agree, and the owner must be an individual rather than a business. It cannot be added where the ownership is designated as an "and" relationship. The beneficiary has no ownership, interest or control during the owner's lifetime, and neither divorce nor annulment revokes the designation automatically.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) South Carolina DMV — form TOD-1
South Dakota
Transfer on death designation
A beneficiary named on a South Dakota certificate of title under SDCL § 32-3-80, enacted in 2025. It reaches a motor vehicle, off-road vehicle, snowmobile or boat, may name a trust, and can only be made with the written approval of all owners. It is unavailable while the property is subject to any lien or encumbrance.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) SDCL § 32-3-80
Virginia
Transfer on death designation
A beneficiary named on a Virginia certificate of title, shown after the owners' names as transfer on death or TOD. The owners may add, change or remove it at any time and the beneficiary's signature is never needed while they live. It cannot exist alongside a lien, is removed if a lien is added, and is canceled if the vehicle is sold, traded or donated. The beneficiary has 120 days from the death to apply for a title.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) Virginia DMV — designate a beneficiary on a vehicle title
Wyoming
Beneficiary designation form
Wyoming's transfer-on-death instrument for a vehicle under W.S. § 31-2-104.1. A form each county clerk makes available, carrying the vehicle's details, the names of all owners, the words 'transfer on death to' and a beneficiary, and the notarized signature of every owner — recorded in the county where the vehicle is titled. It cannot be revoked by will, by any other instrument, or by a change in circumstances.
Primary source (opens in a new tab) W.S. § 31-2-104.1