Texas Form VTR-130-UIF is the Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle that heirs use to transfer ownership of a deceased Texas resident’s vehicle when there is no probated will, no court-appointed executor, and no formal estate administration. The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) requires this notarized affidavit so the county tax assessor-collector can issue a new title without forcing the family through probate court.
Roughly 200,000 Texans die each year, and the Texas Comptroller’s vehicle tax data shows that a meaningful share of those estates include at least one titled vehicle, making VTR-130-UIF one of the most frequently filed non-court inheritance documents in the state. Getting one line wrong on this affidavit, especially the heir list or the notary block, will bounce the title application back and restart the 30-day transfer clock that triggers late penalties.
Here is what this guide gives you:
- 📋 A plain-English walkthrough of every box, line, and signature space on VTR-130-UIF
- 👨👩👧 Three full filled-out examples for the most common Texas inheritance scenarios
- 💰 The exact fees, taxes, and penalties tied to inherited-vehicle transfers
- 🏛️ How the affidavit interacts with the Texas Estates Code and probate alternatives
- ⚠️ The ten field-level mistakes that get VTR-130-UIF rejected at the county window
What Form VTR-130-UIF Is and Who Must File It
Form VTR-130-UIF, titled Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle, is a sworn statement that lets the legal heirs of a deceased Texas vehicle owner transfer the title without opening a probate estate. The current revision is printed in the lower-left corner of the form (look for the date stamp such as Form VTR-130-UIF Rev 09/2024), and you should always download the latest copy from the TxDMV forms library before filing. The affidavit replaces the court orders, letters testamentary, or letters of administration that a county tax office would otherwise need to see.
You must file VTR-130-UIF when four conditions are all true. First, the registered owner of the vehicle has died. Second, the decedent left no will, or the will was never probated. Third, no formal administration of the estate is pending or planned. Fourth, all known heirs agree on who inherits the vehicle under Texas intestate succession rules in Estates Code Chapters 201–205.
The form is filed by the heir or heirs receiving the vehicle, with signatures from every heir-at-law identified on the affidavit. If the vehicle is being sold directly to a third party rather than retitled into an heir’s name, that buyer is treated as the “Purchaser” and is the person who actually submits the package to the county tax assessor-collector. Dealers acquiring an inherited vehicle from heirs use the same affidavit but pair it with a Form 130-U Application for Texas Title in the dealer’s resale chain.
VTR-130-UIF cannot be used when the estate is already in probate, when the heirs disagree on distribution, or when the decedent was not the sole or primary owner of record. In those cases, the family must use Letters Testamentary, a Small Estate Affidavit under Estates Code Chapter 205, or a Muniment of Title order under Estates Code Chapter 257 instead. The TxDMV Motor Vehicle Title Manual Chapter 11 lays out exactly which document the county must accept in each situation.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Open the form only after you have every supporting document in front of you, because the notary will not let you sign in pieces, and the county will not process a partial package. The TxDMV inherited vehicle checklist is the baseline, but the working list below is what experienced filers actually bring to the window.
- Certified death certificate. The county wants a certified copy, not a photocopy, because uncertified copies are rejected under standard TxDMV documentation rules. Missing this triggers an automatic file-and-hold.
- Original Texas Certificate of Title. If the title is lost, you must file Form VTR-34 Application for a Certified Copy of Title first, which adds two to three weeks.
- Completed Form 130-U. Every title transfer in Texas requires the Application for Texas Title and/or Registration (Form 130-U), even when an affidavit of heirship is the supporting document.
- Government-issued photo ID for each heir signing. A Texas driver license, Texas ID, U.S. passport, or military ID is accepted under the TxDMV ID standards.
- Proof of liability insurance in the new owner’s name. The minimum 30/60/25 coverage required by the Texas Department of Insurance applies the moment the vehicle is registered.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and odometer reading. Federal odometer disclosure under the Truth in Mileage Act is required for vehicles less than 20 model years old.
- Names, addresses, and relationships of all known heirs. Even heirs who waive their share must be listed, per Texas Estates Code § 201.001.
- Any existing lien release. If the decedent still owed money on the vehicle, you need the lienholder’s release before retitling under Transportation Code § 501.114.
- Notary access. The affidavit must be signed before a notary public commissioned under the Texas Government Code Chapter 406.
- Funds for fees and tax. Plan on the $33 title application fee, the $2.50 transfer fee, the gift-tax-equivalent treatment for inherited vehicles, and any local fees set by your county tax office.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
The only authoritative copy of VTR-130-UIF lives on the TxDMV forms page, where the agency posts the current revision as a fillable PDF. Never download the form from a third-party “form mill” site, because outdated revisions are rejected at the county window and the TxDMV warns against unofficial copies. The direct link to the live PDF is the Affidavit of Heirship for a Motor Vehicle (VTR-130-UIF).
You can also pick up a paper copy at any county tax assessor-collector’s office, and most counties keep both English and Spanish versions in the lobby. Larger urban counties such as Harris County Tax Office and Travis County Tax Office post mirror copies of the form on their own sites for convenience, but those PDFs link back to the TxDMV master file.
Filers who prefer to complete the affidavit on screen can use the fillable fields in the official PDF using free Adobe Acrobat Reader before printing for notarization. The form must be printed single-sided on standard 8.5 × 11 paper, because the TxDMV scanning standards reject double-sided submissions that hide the notary block. There is currently no fully online submission portal for VTR-130-UIF, because the notarized original is required in physical form under Transportation Code § 501.052.
If you need help completing the form, free assistance is available from many Texas legal aid providers and from the TxDMV regional service centers. Pro bono attorneys at Texas Legal Services Center can also review the affidavit before notarization for filers worried about intestate succession nuances.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form VTR-130-UIF Line by Line
The affidavit is a single page split into a vehicle description block, an heirship statement, an heir-at-law list, a sole-heir or multi-heir checkbox set, signature blocks, and a notary acknowledgment. Work top to bottom and resist the urge to skip “obvious” fields, because the county clerk scans every line.
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
The VIN field asks for the 17-character serial number of the deceased owner’s vehicle. Pull it from the dashboard plate visible through the windshield or from the door-jamb sticker, and write each character in capital letters with no spaces or dashes.
Maria Lopez writes 1HGCM82633A123456 in the VIN box for her late father’s 2003 Honda Accord. If the vehicle is a pre-1981 model with a shorter VIN, enter the exact characters shown on the title and leave the remaining boxes blank, because the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration VIN rules only standardized 17 characters from 1981 forward.
The most common mistake here is transposing a zero and the letter “O,” which causes the TxDMV title database to fail VIN verification and bounce the entire application. Many heirs also believe the VIN on the insurance card is good enough, but the county compares against the physical vehicle and the title, so always copy from the title itself.
Year, Make, and Body Style
This grouping asks for the model year, manufacturer, and body style of the inherited vehicle. Enter the four-digit year, the full make spelled out, and the body style code printed on the existing title (such as 4D for four-door sedan or PK for pickup).
For example, 2003, HONDA, 4D matches the Lopez family’s Accord exactly as it reads on the existing Texas title. If the body style on the door jamb conflicts with the title, always use the title’s value, because the TxDMV body style code list is the controlling reference.
A frequent error is using the marketing trim name (EX-L, Limited, Platinum) in the make or body style box, which is not a recognized TxDMV code and triggers a manual review. Filers sometimes think “make” includes the model, but Honda is the make, Accord is the model, and only the make goes in this field.
License Plate Number
This field captures the current Texas license plate number assigned to the vehicle. Copy the plate exactly as displayed, including any leading letters or numbers, with no dashes between characters.
Maria enters KJL1234 in the plate field. If the plates have been surrendered, lost, or were never issued (as with a brand-new vehicle), write NONE in the box rather than leaving it blank, because a blank field reads as missing data under TxDMV intake rules.
The biggest mistake is entering personalized-plate text incorrectly because of stylized fonts on the plate itself, and the TxDMV plate lookup is the only authoritative source. Many filers also incorrectly believe the plate must be transferred with the vehicle, but Texas allows the heir to keep, transfer, or surrender plates separately.
Decedent’s Full Legal Name
The field requires the deceased owner’s full legal name exactly as it appears on the existing Certificate of Title. Use the format Last, First Middle Suffix and match every spelling, hyphen, and suffix character.
The Lopez family’s title reads Lopez, Carlos Andres Sr., so Maria writes that exact string in the field. If the decedent’s name on the title differs from the death certificate (a common issue after marriage or divorce), attach a brief signed explanation noting that both documents refer to the same person, because the TxDMV name-discrepancy guidance requires written reconciliation.
A common error is writing the decedent’s name as the heir would call them (“Dad” or a nickname like “Charlie”), which fails the title cross-check. Some filers think initials are enough, but TxDMV requires the full middle name when the title shows it, otherwise the application returns for correction.
Date of Death
This field asks for the exact date the owner died, in MM/DD/YYYY format. Copy it from the certified death certificate, not from memory.
Maria writes 03/14/2026 in the date of death box for her father. If the death certificate shows only an approximate date (rare, but possible after late discovery), use the official “presumed” date listed by the Texas Department of State Health Services Vital Statistics.
The single biggest mistake here is using the funeral or burial date instead of the death date, which then conflicts with the death certificate and pauses processing. Heirs sometimes believe the date of death does not matter on a title transfer, but it actually starts the 30-day transfer clock under Transportation Code § 501.0234 and any delay can trigger a $25-per-month late penalty.
Decedent’s County of Residence
Enter the Texas county where the decedent lived at the time of death, not the county where the vehicle is being titled. The county of residence sets the venue for intestate succession under Estates Code § 33.001.
For example, Bexar County is correct for Carlos Lopez, who lived in San Antonio at the time of death. If the decedent split time between two counties, use the county listed on the death certificate as the legal residence, because that controls under DSHS recordkeeping standards.
A common mistake is writing the county where the heir lives now, which has no legal bearing and creates confusion in the file. Some heirs also believe a non-Texas residence disqualifies the vehicle from VTR-130-UIF, but a Texas-titled vehicle owned by an out-of-state decedent can still be transferred this way if the vehicle is in Texas.
Marital Status at Time of Death
Check the single box that matches the decedent’s marital status: Single, Married, Widowed, or Divorced. This drives community-property and surviving-spouse calculations under Estates Code Chapter 201.
Maria checks Widowed for her father, whose wife predeceased him in 2018. If the decedent was legally separated but not divorced at death, Texas still treats them as Married for inheritance purposes, because Texas does not recognize legal separation under Texas Family Code § 6.001.
The most damaging mistake is checking Single when the decedent had a surviving spouse, because that erases the spouse’s community-property share and exposes the heirs to later claims. Some filers wrongly think long-term informal partners count as spouses, but Texas only counts ceremonial marriages or formally declared informal marriages under Family Code § 2.401.
Surviving Spouse Information
If the Married box is checked, fill in the surviving spouse’s full legal name, mailing address, and relationship confirmation. Leave this section blank only if marital status is Single, Widowed, or Divorced.
For example, Elena Ruiz Garcia, 412 Pecan Street, Austin, TX 78704 identifies the surviving spouse for a different filer, Janet Garcia. If the surviving spouse signs a written disclaimer of interest under Estates Code Chapter 240, attach that disclaimer and still list the spouse in this block.
A frequent mistake is omitting the surviving spouse because they “don’t want the car,” which voids the affidavit until the disclaimer is attached. Some filers think a prenuptial agreement automatically removes the spouse, but the prenup must be attached and referenced on the affidavit for the county to honor it.
Names and Addresses of All Heirs
List the full legal name, current mailing address, age, and relationship to the decedent for every heir-at-law identified under Estates Code §§ 201.001–201.003. Include heirs who are minors and heirs who will not receive the vehicle.
For example, the Lopez children list reads:
- Maria Lopez, 88 Mission Road, San Antonio, TX 78210, Age 42, Daughter
- Diego Lopez, 1207 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, Age 39, Son
- Sofia Lopez, 5 Riverwalk Lane, Austin, TX 78701, Age 35, Daughter
If an heir is deceased, list that heir, mark them as deceased, and then list their descendants who inherit by representation under Estates Code § 201.101. The classic mistake is leaving off a half-sibling or a child from a prior marriage, which voids the affidavit because Texas intestate law treats half-blood and whole-blood siblings differently. Many filers wrongly believe stepchildren inherit automatically, but stepchildren only inherit when legally adopted under Family Code § 162.507.
Sole Heir or Multiple Heirs Checkbox
Check Sole Heir if only one person inherits the entire vehicle, or Multiple Heirs if the vehicle is being inherited by two or more people. The form then requires each multi-heir signature line to be completed below.
For example, if Maria is the sole inheritor because her siblings have signed disclaimers, she checks Sole Heir and attaches the disclaimer form under Estates Code § 240.051. If all three Lopez children take title together, the Multiple Heirs box is checked and all three sign.
The biggest mistake is checking Sole Heir without attached disclaimers from the other heirs, which the county rejects on sight. Many filers think a verbal family agreement is enough, but Texas requires the disclaimer in writing, signed, and notarized to remove an heir from the chain.
Signatures of All Heirs
Every heir listed must sign in blue or black ink in front of the notary, with each signature line including the printed name and date. Minors cannot sign; their court-appointed guardian signs on their behalf under Estates Code § 1104.151.
For example, all three Lopez siblings sign, each writing their printed name, signature, and the date 05/02/2026 on their respective lines. If an heir lives out of state, that heir can sign before a notary in their own state and mail the original signed page to the lead filer, because the Texas Government Code § 406.014 recognizes out-of-state notarizations.
The most common mistake is having heirs sign before reaching the notary, which voids the notarization and forces a full re-do. Some filers think one heir can sign “on behalf of” the others, but Texas does not allow proxy signatures on heirship affidavits without a notarized power of attorney attached.
Notary Acknowledgment Block
The notary public completes this block by entering the date of acknowledgment, the names of all signers, the notary’s commission number, the commission expiration date, and the notary’s seal. The notary must witness every signature in person under Texas Government Code § 406.016.
A correct entry shows Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2nd day of May, 2026, by Maria Lopez, Diego Lopez, and Sofia Lopez, followed by the notary’s seal. Online notarization is allowed in Texas under Government Code § 406.101, but the printed PDF must still show the official electronic seal.
The single most fatal mistake is a missing notary seal, which makes the affidavit legally void on its face. Many filers also assume a notary at a bank or shipping store can notarize for free, but most charge the maximum $10 per acknowledgment set by the Texas Secretary of State.
Purchaser Information (If Vehicle Is Being Sold)
If the heirs are selling the vehicle directly to a third party rather than retitling into an heir’s name, fill in the purchaser’s full legal name and address in the lower block. Leave this block blank if the heir is keeping the vehicle.
For example, Marcus Reed, 700 Live Oak Drive, Houston, TX 77002 identifies the buyer when the Lopez siblings sell the Accord. If the sale is to a licensed Texas dealer, the dealer’s name and General Distinguishing Number (GDN) go here, because the TxDMV Motor Vehicle Dealer rules require GDN identification on every dealer-acquired vehicle.
The most common mistake is listing the heir as both seller and purchaser, which signals a fraudulent or unnecessary entry. Filers sometimes think the purchaser does not have to be named on the affidavit if they will file their own 130-U later, but the affidavit and the 130-U must show the same chain of ownership.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez — Sole Heir After Sibling Disclaimers
Carlos Lopez, a widowed San Antonio retiree, dies without a will leaving a 2003 Honda Accord. His son Diego and daughter Sofia sign written disclaimers so that Maria becomes the sole heir.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 1HGCM82633A123456 |
| Year / Make / Body Style | 2003 / HONDA / 4D |
| License Plate | KJL1234 |
| Decedent’s Name | Lopez, Carlos Andres Sr. |
| Date of Death | 03/14/2026 |
| County of Residence | Bexar County |
| Marital Status | Widowed |
| Heirs Listed | Maria Lopez, Diego Lopez (disclaimed), Sofia Lopez (disclaimed) |
| Sole/Multiple Heirs | Sole Heir (with attached disclaimers) |
| Signatures | Maria Lopez, 05/02/2026 |
Scenario 2: Garcia Family — Surviving Spouse With Three Adult Children
David Garcia of Austin dies intestate, leaving his wife Elena and three adult children. The family agrees that the 2018 Ford F-150 transfers to Elena.
| Form Section | What Elena Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 1FTEW1EP7JKD12345 |
| Year / Make / Body Style | 2018 / FORD / PK |
| License Plate | TXX8821 |
| Decedent’s Name | Garcia, David Michael |
| Date of Death | 01/22/2026 |
| County of Residence | Travis County |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Surviving Spouse | Elena Ruiz Garcia, 412 Pecan Street, Austin, TX 78704 |
| Heirs Listed | Elena Garcia (spouse), Luis Garcia, Ana Garcia, Tomas Garcia (children with attached disclaimers) |
| Sole/Multiple Heirs | Sole Heir (Elena, with child disclaimers) |
| Signatures | Elena Garcia and all three adult children, 04/15/2026 |
Scenario 3: Johnson Heirs — Multiple Heirs Selling to a Third Party
Aisha Johnson, a single Dallas resident, dies intestate leaving a 2012 Toyota Camry to her two adult children, Marcus and Janelle, who choose to sell the car immediately to a coworker named Marcus Reed (no relation).
| Form Section | What the Johnson Heirs Enter |
|---|---|
| VIN | 4T1BF1FK4CU567890 |
| Year / Make / Body Style | 2012 / TOYOTA / 4D |
| License Plate | DLZ4477 |
| Decedent’s Name | Johnson, Aisha Renee |
| Date of Death | 02/09/2026 |
| County of Residence | Dallas County |
| Marital Status | Single |
| Heirs Listed | Marcus Johnson and Janelle Johnson, both adult children |
| Sole/Multiple Heirs | Multiple Heirs |
| Purchaser | Marcus Reed, 700 Live Oak Drive, Houston, TX 77002 |
| Signatures | Marcus Johnson and Janelle Johnson, 04/30/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
VTR-130-UIF cannot stand alone; it must be filed together with a completed Form 130-U, the original Texas title, the certified death certificate, proof of insurance, and government photo ID for the person presenting the package. The county tax assessor-collector reviews, accepts payment, and forwards the package to TxDMV for issuance of the new title.
Filing in person is the most common channel. Walk into any Texas county tax assessor-collector office, take a number, and present the package at the title window. The clerk reviews the package on the spot, accepts cash, check, money order, debit, or credit (a 2.15% card fee is typical), and provides a stamped receipt that serves as proof of filing. Expect 4–6 weeks for the new title to arrive by mail under TxDMV processing standards.
Filing by mail is allowed in most counties. Send the full package by U.S. Postal Service certified mail with return receipt, or by a tracked private carrier, to the mailing address listed on your county tax office page. Payment must be by check or money order made out to the county tax assessor-collector, because most counties do not accept cards by mail. Processing times for mailed packages run 6–8 weeks, and your certified-mail receipt is your proof of timely filing.
Filing by an authorized agent lets a friend, family member, or attorney appear at the window on the heir’s behalf, provided they bring a notarized Form VTR-271-A Power of Attorney. The agent pays the same fees and receives the same stamped receipt. There is currently no fully online filing channel for VTR-130-UIF, because the original notarized affidavit must be physically delivered, although some counties allow an online appointment booking through Texas.gov vehicle services.
The standard fees are the $33 title application fee under Transportation Code § 501.138, a $2.50 transfer fee, any local county fees up to $31.50, and the motor vehicle sales/use tax. Inherited vehicles are taxed under the $10 gift tax provision in Tax Code § 152.025 when transferred to a qualifying relative, or at the standard 6.25% rate when sold to a third party.
What Happens After You File
Once the county tax office accepts the package, a temporary receipt is issued the same day showing the heir or purchaser as the new owner of record. That receipt allows the new owner to operate the vehicle legally and to register license plates immediately under Transportation Code § 502.040.
The physical Certificate of Title is printed and mailed by the TxDMV from its Austin processing center, typically within 20 business days but sometimes longer during peak inheritance seasons. You can check title status through the TxDMV Title Check tool using the VIN. If 30 days pass with no title in the mail, call the TxDMV customer help line or visit a TxDMV regional service center.
After title issuance, the new owner is responsible for annual registration renewal, state inspection (in counties that still require it), and any local emissions testing under Texas Commission on Environmental Quality rules. If a later-discovered heir comes forward to dispute the affidavit, the dispute is resolved in probate court under Estates Code Chapter 202, and the heirs who signed the affidavit may face civil liability for false statements. The notarized affidavit itself is permanently stored in the TxDMV title history record attached to the VIN.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Skipping an heir. Leaving off a half-sibling, child from a prior marriage, or adopted child voids the affidavit and exposes signers to fraud claims under Penal Code § 37.02.
- Signing before the notary witnesses. A pre-signed affidavit is not a valid acknowledgment, and the county will reject it on sight.
- Using a nickname for the decedent. Names that do not match the title cause a database mismatch and a hold under TxDMV title rules.
- Mixing up date of death and burial date. This conflict with the death certificate stops processing.
- Checking Sole Heir without disclaimers. Missing disclaimers from the other heirs make the affidavit incomplete and unenforceable.
- Forgetting the certified death certificate. A photocopy will not pass intake; the county requires a certified copy.
- Leaving the VIN partial or wrong. A single transposed digit fails NHTSA VIN decoding.
- Filing without Form 130-U. VTR-130-UIF is a supporting document, not a standalone title application.
- Missing the 30-day transfer window. Late filing under Transportation Code § 501.0234 costs $25 per month up to $250.
- Not paying the $10 gift tax for eligible relatives. Filing as a sale instead of a gift can needlessly trigger 6.25% sales tax under Tax Code § 152.025.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do download the form fresh from the TxDMV forms library every time, because revisions change without notice.
- Do bring every heir to the notary together so signatures are witnessed in one sitting.
- Do attach written disclaimers when one heir is taking the vehicle alone.
- Do double-check the VIN against the dashboard plate, not just the title.
- Do file within 30 days of the date of death to avoid late transfer penalties.
- Do keep a full photocopy of the notarized affidavit for the family record.
Don’t:
- Don’t use VTR-130-UIF if a will has been or will be probated; use Letters Testamentary instead.
- Don’t omit minor children; their guardian must sign on their behalf.
- Don’t write nicknames or abbreviated names for the decedent.
- Don’t leave the marital status box blank, because intestate distribution depends on it.
- Don’t assume one heir can sign for all heirs without a notarized power of attorney.
- Don’t mail the package without certified-mail tracking, because lost packages are not reissued for free.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Pros of filing on your own:
- Saves attorney fees that typically run $300–$1,500 for a probate alternative.
- Faster than opening an estate in probate court.
- Keeps family information private rather than in public court records.
- Uses straightforward forms and standard county procedures.
- Lets the heir register and drive the vehicle within days, not months.
Cons of filing on your own:
- Risk of missing an heir under Texas intestate succession rules.
- Notary and document logistics can be hard for distant or estranged families.
- Mistakes in the affidavit expose signers to perjury liability under Penal Code § 37.02.
- Lien releases, name discrepancies, or out-of-state heirs add complexity that a non-lawyer may miss.
- Errors can force a later, costlier probate filing to clean up the title.
Comparison: VTR-130-UIF vs. Other Texas Inheritance Paths
| Path | When to Use |
|---|---|
| VTR-130-UIF Affidavit of Heirship | No will, no probate, heirs agree, vehicle only |
| Small Estate Affidavit (Estates Code Ch. 205) | No will, total estate under $75,000, includes vehicles plus other assets |
| Muniment of Title (Estates Code Ch. 257) | Valid will exists, no unpaid debts other than secured by real estate |
| Letters Testamentary | Valid will exists, full estate administration needed |
| Independent Administration | Estate is complex, multiple assets, heir disputes possible |
FAQs
Can I use VTR-130-UIF if the decedent left a will?
No. Use this affidavit only when the will is not being probated. If the will is probated, file Letters Testamentary and a Form 130-U instead.
Do I need a lawyer to complete VTR-130-UIF?
No. Most heirs file the affidavit on their own, but consulting a Texas probate lawyer is wise when heirs disagree or when intestate succession is unclear.
How much does it cost to transfer an inherited vehicle?
Yes, you will pay $33 title fee, $2.50 transfer fee, local county fees up to about $31.50, and either the $10 gift tax for eligible relatives or 6.25% sales tax for non-relatives.
Is there a deadline to file VTR-130-UIF?
Yes. Under Transportation Code § 501.0234, the transfer must be filed within 30 days of the date of death or a $25 monthly late penalty applies, capped at $250.
Do all heirs have to sign even if they don’t want the vehicle?
Yes, every heir-at-law must sign or file a notarized disclaimer under Estates Code Chapter 240 before the vehicle can transfer to a sole heir.
What if the title is lost?
No transfer can happen until you replace it. File Form VTR-34 first for a certified copy of the missing title.
Do I write my maiden name or married name in the heirs box?
Yes, use your current legal name as shown on your driver license, with your former name in parentheses if helpful for clarity.
Can a minor heir sign the affidavit themselves?
No. A court-appointed guardian must sign on the minor’s behalf under Estates Code § 1104.151.
Do stepchildren count as heirs on VTR-130-UIF?
No, unless they were legally adopted by the decedent under Family Code § 162.507.
Can I check “Sole Heir” if my siblings verbally agreed I get the car?
No. Verbal agreement is not enough; each sibling must sign a written, notarized disclaimer for you to file as sole heir.
Is online notarization accepted for this affidavit?
Yes, Texas online notarization under Government Code § 406.101 is accepted as long as the printed PDF shows the electronic seal.
Can the heirs sell the vehicle directly without retitling first?
Yes. The heirs can name a purchaser in the lower block of the affidavit, and the purchaser files Form 130-U to retitle the vehicle directly in their own name.
Do I owe sales tax if I inherit a vehicle from a parent?
No standard sales tax applies; instead, the $10 gift tax under Tax Code § 152.025 applies to transfers between eligible relatives, including parents and children.
What if a previously unknown heir surfaces after I file?
Yes, they can challenge the transfer in probate court under Estates Code Chapter 202, which is why listing every known heir on the affidavit matters.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out Texas Affidavit of Heirship (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Application for Letters of Administration + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Application to Probate Will (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Muniment of Title Application (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Texas Small Estate Affidavit (Texas Probate) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out a Texas Transfer on Death Deed (w/ Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs