When the registered owner of a vehicle dies, the vehicle becomes part of their estate. The following documents must be submitted to transfer the vehicle:

• Transfer of Vehicle Registration Upon a Death Application (which includes a sworn affidavit)
• Bill of Sale (on the back of the Vehicle Registration)
• Death Certificate: Original or certified copy of funeral director’s death certificate or government issued death certificate (also see Vital Statistics Division Newfoundland and Labrador).

About the Application:

Please read the application carefully before signing.

Section 1: must be completed by all applicants

Section 2: must be completed by all applicants

Section 3:

• completed when the deceased left a Will; The Executor/Executrix will sign the back of the registration documents as the “seller” of the vehicle.
• completed when the vehicle is identified in the Will as a specific bequest; or when a vehicle has not been identified in the Will as a specific bequest and the entire estate is left to a single individual or to various individuals

Section 4: completed when the deceased did not have a Will.

• Where Letters of Administration have been granted, the Administrator of the estate will sign for the estate.
• Where no Letters of Administration have been granted, the estate, including vehicles, is subject to the terms of the Family Law Act and the Intestate Succession Act. The applicant must complete and sign the application for the estate.

Section 5: must be completed by all applicants

Section 6: completed when the vehicle will be transferred to a common-law spouse. In addition to the Transfer of Vehicle Registration Upon Death application, one of the following documents must also be submitted:

• Cohabitation agreement signed by both parties stating that the vehicle is to be given to the applicant in the event that cohabitation ceases by reason of separation/death;
• Copy of the Will and Letters of Probate; and Bill of Sale from executor of the estate to common law spouse;
• Copy of Will without Letters of Probate with the vehicle left to the applicant or entire estate left to the applicant and/or others; and Bill of Sale from executor of estate to common law spouse; or
• Newfoundland Supreme Court trial division decision specific to those parties that a constructive trust exists, entitling the common law spouse to the vehicle.

Section 7: must be completed by all applicants

Section 8: This section must be completed. If there is more than one vehicle, and the insurance information is not the same for all vehicles, a separate insurance verification must be completed for each vehicle and attached.

Fee

There is no fee for transfer of registered ownership of a vehicle upon the death of a registrant, where the vehicle is transferred as the result of a bequest and is not sold as part of the assets of the estate.