State of Alaska

Department of Administration

Division Of Motor Vehicles

Alaska Department of Administration, Divison of Motor Vehicles
Administration >  Motor Vehicles >  Deceased Owner                                             
 

     

Deceased Owner

If a vehicle is jointly owned by a deceased person with the conjunction "OR", the surviving owner may release the title. If the vehicle is owned solely by the deceased person or jointly with the conjunction "AND", the vehicle becomes part of the deceased person's estate and the estate must go through formal or informal probate procedure. In the probate proceedings the court or a probate master will appoint a person to distribute the assets of the estate. This person could be called the Estate Administrator, the Executor or Executrix of the Will, or the Personal Representative. The court order authorizing the person to act is called Letters of Testamentary, Letters of Administration, or Letter of Appointment.

A person holding such an authorization from the courts may release the title or complete a lost title affidavit for the deceased person in the same manner as a person holding a power of attorney. If the title is lost a duplicate title must be obtained before a transfer may be processed.

For small estates of $150,000.00 or less, a successor to the deceased owner may obtain title by completing an Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less (Form 827). This procedure eliminates the need for probate proceedings and the probate court does not need to sign, issue, record, or take any other action on the affidavit. The affidavit must state the following:

  • The value of the entire estate*, wherever located, less liens and encumbrances, consists of not more than
    1. vehicles subject to registration under AS 28.10.011 with a total value that does not exceed $100,00; AND
    2. personal property, other than vehicles described in (1) of this paragraph, that does not exceed $50,000;
  • Thirty (30) days have elapsed since the death of the owner.
  • No application or petition for the appointment of a personal representative is pending or has been granted in any jurisdiction
  • The individual is entitled to the vehicle as the next of kin or successor .

*Entire estate means the value of all assets of the individual, not just the value of the vehicle for which they’re completing an affidavit.

The Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less must be notarized and must contain the full and complete serial number of the vehicle. The person completing the affidavit must title the vehicle in their name before the vehicle may by sold to another individual.

A person will be required to submit the following documents in order to title and register the vehicle in their name:

  • A properly completed Application for Title & Registration, with odometer reading
  • A properly released title or a notarized lost title affidavit.
  • An original or certified copy of the Letters of Testamentary, Letters of Administration, Letter of Appointment, or Affidavit for an Estate with Assets of $150,000 or Less