Houston County District Court probate division Guide

Transfer scenarios

Forms

• Assignment of a Vehicle to a Surviving Spouse / Not Subject to Probate(PS2071)(Must be notarized. Used for both the 'surviving spouse' and 'no surviving spouse/not subject to probate' transfer scenarios. Available at deputy registrar offices and from DVS.)
• Application to Title and Register a Motor Vehicle(PS2000A)(Completed by the recipient of the vehicle. Available at deputy registrar offices and from DVS.)
• Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property(PRO202)(Available from Minnesota Courts (mncourts.gov). Must be completed and notarized. Estate value (net of liens/encumbrances) must not exceed $75,000 as of date of death.)
• Application for Duplicate Title, Registration, Cab or Lien Card(PS2067A)(May be filed in person at a deputy registrar (same-day duplicate title available at most locations) or mailed to DVS. Total fees by mail: $21.50 ($7.25 duplicate title + $2.25 tech fee + $12 filing fee). $1 surcharge for in-person processing at a deputy registrar.)

Fees

Small-estate vehicle transfer

Minnesota's small-estate affidavit procedure under Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 allows a successor to collect a deceased person's personal property — including motor vehicles — without opening a probate proceeding, when the net estate value does not exceed $75,000 and 30 days have elapsed since death. The motor vehicle registrar shall issue a new certificate of title upon presentation of the affidavit (§ 524.3-1201(d)).

This path is labeled 'No legal heirs' on the DVS page but also applies when there are heirs — the key requirement is the estate value threshold and 30-day wait. If there is a surviving spouse, the spouse is first entitled to use the Surviving Spouse form (PS2071) instead. The motor vehicle registrar shall issue new title under § 524.3-1201(d). A will cannot be used to transfer a motor vehicle title directly, but may be used to show inheritance and establish sales-tax exemption.

Lost or duplicate title

If the original certificate of title is lost, mutilated, stolen, destroyed, or illegible, a duplicate title must be obtained before completing the deceased-owner transfer.

Apply in person at any deputy registrar (most can print same-day). Or mail completed Form PS2067A with $21.50 (check payable to DVS) to DVS. Issuance of a duplicate title invalidates all previously issued titles.

Fee: $7.25

Helpful resources

• Minnesota DVS — Deceased Relative Vehicle Title Transfer

  Official DVS page covering all transfer scenarios with document requirements: joint owner, surviving spouse, non-probate heir, probate estate, no legal heirs (affidavit), TOD beneficiary, and revocable trust.

• Minnesota DVS — Vehicle Fees

  Official fee schedule: title fee $8.25, filing fee $12, technology surcharge $2.25, local office surcharge $1, transfer tax $10, duplicate title fee $7.25, late transfer penalty $2.

• Minnesota DVS — Duplicate Vehicle Title Application

  How to apply for a duplicate title when the original is lost. Same-day service available at most deputy registrars.

• Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201 — Collection of Personal Property by Affidavit

  Official statute authorizing small-estate affidavit procedure. $75,000 net estate threshold; 30-day waiting period; motor vehicle registrar shall issue new title upon presentation (subd. (d)).

• Minn. Stat. § 168A.125 — Transfer-on-Death Title to Motor Vehicle

  Official statute authorizing TOD beneficiary designations on vehicle titles. Beneficiary applies for new title with certified death record.

• Minnesota DVS Office Locator — Find a Deputy Registrar

  Official DVS tool to find authorized deputy registrar offices by zip code and service type. Select 'Vehicle Title Transactions' to find offices that process title transfers.

• Affidavit for Collection of Personal Property (Form PRO202)

  Official Minnesota Courts form for small-estate affidavit under Minn. Stat. § 524.3-1201. Required when using the affidavit path for vehicle transfer with no legal heirs or non-probate estates.