Who fills this out
The vehicle's current titled owner fills out and signs. If the vehicle is jointly titled with right of survivorship, the survivor names the beneficiary after the first owner dies (or both owners can sign one form together).
When to file
Any time during the owner's life. The designation becomes part of the title record and is honored by the MVD at death.
What you will need
- Current Arizona certificate of title.
- Owner's driver license number.
- Beneficiary's full legal name and date of birth.
- $4 title fee.
- Notarization is not required for the beneficiary form itself, but the title transfer at death requires the surviving beneficiary's signed application.
Common mistakes
- Skipping a lienholder release. If the vehicle has a loan, the lien must be cleared before the new title issues to the beneficiary.
- Naming multiple beneficiaries without clarifying shares. The MVD treats multiple beneficiaries as joint tenants; selling later requires every beneficiary's signature.
- Forgetting boats and ATVs. The same beneficiary process applies to titled watercraft and off-highway vehicles registered with AZ Game and Fish.
- Confusing it with a will provision. A vehicle named to a beneficiary on title passes outside the will; will provisions for that car are ignored.
Questions families ask
Does the beneficiary inherit the loan too?
Yes, in effect. The lien stays with the vehicle; the beneficiary either pays off the loan or refinances to take title free of the lien.
Can I change the beneficiary?
Yes. File a new 96-0561; the most recent on file controls. There is no need to revoke the old one separately.