Can I donate a deceased
person’s car?
Yes, you can.
Different states have different requirements when a deceased owner is listed on a title.
Please check out our title page for more information or contact our office at 877-527-7454.
You’ll need to contact the DMV and sign some forms (each state has different ones).
In most states, we can take the car if the donor has executive paperwork showing they can sign on behalf of the deceased title owner.
In some states, though, you’ll need to transfer the title ownership to yourself.
It’s always good to check with our office – sometimes things change over time.
Where do I sign the title, and is there anything else I need to have?
On our title transfer page, we have a drop-down menu so you can select your state, and you’ll then be able to view a sample of a title with indicators showing where to sign your name.
We also tell you which additional forms your state requires, if any.
Some examples include
Many PDFs of these documents are available on the page, as well as any necessary notarizations and other state-specific instructions.
What if there’s a lien on the car?
Kars4Kids does not take cars with a balance on them.
If there is a lienholder listed on the title, we’ll need a lien release letter from the holder before we can take the car.
We can get a lien release for many donors if we know the vehicle is paid up and the bank is willing to work with a third party.
What if I don’t have a title?
No problem!
We can usually pick up a vehicle without a title.
We’ll either register for a new one at no cost to you, or we’ll simply ask you to sign some duplicate title paperwork for us.
Based on the condition of the vehicle, we either send it to an auction house or a junker, each of whom need different requirements. The DMV requirements to allow us to re-sell your vehicle are listed below.
Necessary documents for deceased person's car donation by state
Alaska (AK)
In Alaska, the title needs to be in a living person’s name.
Arizona (AZ)
In Arizona, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate. We will need multiple copies of the probate paperwork if there is no title.
Arkansas (AR)
In Arkansas, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
California (CA)
In California, you’ll need an original death certificate and some paperwork that we’ll send to you.
Colorado (CO)
In Colorado, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
Connecticut (CT)
In Connecticut, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
Delaware (DE)
In Delaware, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
Florida (FL)
In Florida, you’ll need original court document(s), a title, and a copy of the death certificate. We cannot take a vehicle of a deceased title owner without a title.
Georgia (GA)
In Georgia, you’ll need court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
Hawaii (HI)
In Hawaii, you’ll need an original death certificate and some paperwork that we’ll send to you.
Idaho (ID)
In Idaho, you’ll need a title, a copy of the death certificate, & some paperwork that we’ll send to you. We cannot take a vehicle of a deceased title owner without a title.
Illinois (IL)
In Illinois, you’ll just need some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Indiana (IN)
In Indiana, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate. We may also send you an additional form to sign.
Iowa (IA)
In Iowa, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate.
Kansas (KA)
In Kansas, you’ll need a title in a living person’s name, as you can’t donate a car in a deceased title owner’s name.
Kentucky (KY)
In Kentucky, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate.
Louisiana (LA)
In Louisiana, you’ll need a title, a copy of the death certificate, a copy of the obituary & some paperwork that we’ll send to you. We cannot take a vehicle of a deceased title owner without a title.
Maine (ME)
In Maine, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate.
Maryland (MD)
In Maryland, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
Massachusetts (MA)
In Massachusetts, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate.
Michigan (MI)
In Michigan, you’ll need a title, a copy of the death certificate & some paperwork that we’ll send to you. We cannot take a vehicle of a deceased title owner without a title.
Minnesota (MN)
In Minnesota, you’ll just need some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Mississippi (MS)
In Mississippi, you’ll need a title in a living person’s name; cannot donate a car in a deceased title owner's name.
Missouri (MO)
In Missouri, you’ll just need some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate. If there is a TOD (Transfer of Death) listed on the title, we will only need a copy of the death certificate.
Montana (MT)
In Montana, if the estate is under $50,000, you’ll need an original death certificate and we can send you any additional paperwork. If the estate is over $50,000, we need original court document(s) and an original death certificate.
Nebraska (NE)
In Nebraska, you’ll need a title in a living person’s name; cannot donate a car in a deceased title owner's name. If there are 2 people listed on the title and 1 is alive, it can be donated with a title and a copy of the death certificate.
Nevada (NV)
in Nevada, all we need is a copy of the death certificate.
New Hampshire (NH)
In New Hampshire, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate. If there are two title owners, we only need a copy of the death certificate.
New Jersey (NJ)
In New Jersey, you’ll need an original court document, called a surrogate letter, and a copy of the death certificate.
New Mexico (NM)
In New Mexico, you’ll need a title in a living person’s name,; cannot donate a car in a deceased title owner's name.
New York (NY)
In New York, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and an original of the death certificate.
North Carolina (NC)
In North Carolina, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
North Dakota (ND)
In North Dakota, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Ohio (OH)
In Ohio, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine), a title, and a copy of the death certificate.
Oklahoma (OK)
In Oklahoma, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate. But the only person who can sign the paperwork is someone who is listed on the death certificate.
Oregon (OR)
In Oregon, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Pennsylvania (PA)
In Pennsylvania, you’ll need an original death certificate if there is a title. We will need 2 original death certificates if there is no title.
Rhode Island (RI)
In Rhode Island, you’ll need original court document(s) and an original death certificate.
South Carolina (SC)
In South Carolina, you’ll need original court document(s) and a copy of the death certificate.
South Dakota (SD)
In South Dakota, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Tennessee (TN)
In Tennessee, you’ll need some paperwork that we’ll send to you, a copy of the death certificate, and a title.
Texas (TX)
In Texas, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Utah (UT)
In Utah, you’ll need some paperwork that we’ll send to you, a copy of the death certificate, and a title.
Vermont (VT)
In Vermont, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate.
Virginia (VA)
In Virginia, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and an original death certificate.
Washington (WA)
In Washington, you’ll need some paperwork that we’ll send to you, and a copy of the front and back of the death certificate.
West Virginia (WV)
In West Virginia, you’ll need court document(s) (a copy is fine) and a copy of the death certificate.
Wisconsin (WI)
In Wisconsin, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
Wyoming (WY)
In Wyoming, all you’ll need is some paperwork that we’ll send to you and a copy of the death certificate.
