What Is a Vehicle Beneficiary Designation Form — and Why It Matters in Arizona

Vehicle Beneficiary Designation Form

Most people think about their home or bank accounts when planning for the future, but they often forget about their car. In Arizona, if your vehicle is titled in your name alone, there's a simple way to make sure it passes to someone you choose without going through probate: the Beneficiary Designation for Vehicle Title Transfer Upon Death form.

This form, provided by the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), allows a vehicle owner to name a beneficiary who will receive title to the vehicle upon the owner’s death. You don’t need to notarize it, and you don’t submit it in advance. You just fill it out, sign it, and keep it with your estate planning documents.

Here’s the official ADOT version of the form:
Arizona Beneficiary Designation Form (96-0561)

There are a few things to know before you use it:

First, you can only use this form if you're the sole owner of the vehicle. The instructions on the form clearly state that it's only applicable for vehicles titled in one person's name. If the title lists multiple owners, you'll need to retitle it first if you want this form to apply.

Second, the form doesn’t get submitted now. It's held until after your death. The beneficiary presents it to the MVD at that time, along with the title. If the current title is electronic, the form alone may be sufficient. If the title is in paper form, the beneficiary will need to submit the form stapled to the paper title. Either way, this avoids the probate process for the vehicle.

Third, if you’re naming more than one beneficiary, you have to select a legal status — “OR,” “AND,” or “AND/OR.” That determines whether all named individuals must act together, or whether just one can sign and transfer the vehicle. It’s the same language used in joint titles, and it affects what happens if one of the named beneficiaries passes away.

Finally, the form becomes void if altered or erased. If you make a mistake or want to update the designation later, it’s best to fill out a new version from scratch.

For many Arizona residents, this form is an easy way to keep at least one asset out of probate without setting up a trust. But it’s not right for everyone. If your estate plan already involves a trust or multiple vehicle owners, or if you're unsure whether this fits with your overall planning, it's worth getting legal guidance first.

If you’d like help integrating this form into your broader estate plan — or if you’re not sure whether it’s a good fit — get in touch. We can walk through the pros, the limitations, and the alternatives based on your specific situation.

FAQs: How the Arizona Vehicle Beneficiary Form Works in Practice

Do I need to notarize the form?
No. Despite some older guidance online, the current ADOT Form 96‑0561 doesn’t require notarization. You just sign and retain it. However, your beneficiary will need to present it to MVD with a death certificate after your passing.

Where do I submit it?
You don’t. You keep it with your estate documents. It only gets submitted after your death when the beneficiary applies to transfer title.

What if the vehicle title is electronic?
If the title is electronic, your beneficiary can just submit the form when applying for transfer. If it’s a paper title, the form must be physically stapled to the title when submitted.

Can I name multiple beneficiaries?
Yes, but you’ll need to specify whether they hold the future title jointly (“AND”), as alternatives (“OR”), or with survivorship rights (“AND/OR”). The selection you make controls who can sign and when after your death.

What if my vehicle is jointly owned now?
This form won’t apply. You’d need to remove the other owner(s) from title first. Joint owners can’t use this form unless they retitle the vehicle in just one person’s name.

Can the form be changed later?
Yes. Just complete a new version and destroy the old one. Do not try to hand-correct or mark it up — ADOT considers it void if altered or erased.

What else will my beneficiary need?
They’ll need your death certificate, a completed title application, and possibly payment of title transfer fees (depending on the situation).