The Virginia DMV Heir Title Affidavit is the Certification of Authority to Transfer Virginia Title (VSA 24), a sworn form that lets an heir move a deceased person’s vehicle title into a new name when no executor or administrator has been appointed for the estate. You file it with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles when a loved one dies and you need to sell, keep, or re-register their car.
Losing someone is hard, and paperwork only adds to the weight. This form is shorter than it looks, but small errors can stall a transfer for weeks. Virginia uses a “small estate” rule for these transfers, and the estate value must be under $50,000 for the heir route to apply. Get the names and signatures right the first time, and most heirs walk out of the DMV the same day with a new title.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📄 What the VSA 24 is, who must file it, and when it is the wrong form to use
- 🗂️ Every document and detail you need to gather before you start
- ✍️ A line-by-line walkthrough of all four sections, with real sample entries
- 👨👩👧 Three full filled-out examples that match the most common family situations
- ⚠️ The mistakes that get this affidavit rejected, and how to dodge each one
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The VSA 24, revision 01/25/2013, is titled the Certification of Authority to Transfer Virginia Title. Some people call it the “heir affidavit,” the “Authority to Transfer Virginia Title Certification,” or the older “Statement of Authority to Assign Title.” All of these names point to the same document. Check the bottom-left corner of your copy for the revision date so you know you have the current version.
The form documents one thing: that an heir has the legal right to transfer a dead owner’s vehicle. The Virginia DMV is the agency that receives it, and it works hand in hand with Virginia’s small estate laws found in Title 64.2 of the Virginia Code. In plain English, those laws let families skip a full court probate when an estate is small. If you ignore this form and try to sign the title yourself, the DMV will refuse the transfer because you are not the legal owner of record.
You must file the VSA 24 if you are an heir, there is no will or there is a will, and no executor or administrator has been appointed by a court. If a court has appointed someone to run the estate, that person handles the transfer and you do not use this form. A common misconception is that any family member can grab the keys and sign the title. That is false. Without this affidavit, the DMV has no proof you may act for the estate, and a forged signature on a title is a criminal act.
Do not use this form in three situations: an executor or administrator has been appointed, the vehicle is titled in another state, or there has already been a qualification on the estate at the courthouse. An out-of-state car must follow the laws of the state where it is titled. Using the wrong form wastes a trip and delays the transfer.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Missing one item is the top reason heirs get turned away at the counter.
- Certified or notarized death certificate. The DMV needs proof the owner died; a plain photocopy is rejected, and you can request one from the Office of Vital Records.
- The vehicle title. You assign it to the new owner; if it is lost or stolen, you must also file an Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles (VSA 67).
- The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). It must match the title exactly, or the DMV cannot pull the right record.
- The decedent’s full legal name and date of death. These confirm the owner of record and tie the car to the estate.
- The decedent’s residence address at time of death. This proves Virginia was the home state for the small estate rule.
- Names of every other person with an interest in the vehicle. Heirs left off the form can later challenge the transfer.
- Proof of your own address. Virginia requires this to issue the new title and registration in your name.
- Payment for the $15 titling fee. Bring a payment method the DMV accepts, or the clerk cannot finish the transfer.
- A completed Application for Certificate of Title and Registration (VSA 17A). This is the form that actually puts the title in your name.
- A copy of the will, if one exists. The DMV pairs the VSA 24 with the will so each named heir (legatee) is accounted for.
If the estate is claiming the car as a family allowance, exempt property, or homestead allowance, attach an attested copy of that claim filed with the court. Skipping it means the surviving spouse cannot use the simplified single-signer path the form allows.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download the VSA 24 free from the Virginia DMV vehicle forms page or print it straight from the official VSA 24 PDF. The form is two pages: page one holds the four fillable sections, and page two holds the instructions you should read before writing anything. Print both pages on white paper in black ink.
There is no online portal to file the VSA 24 itself, so plan to print and sign a paper copy. You can fill it on a computer using a free PDF reader and then print it, or print it blank and write by hand in dark ink. If you write by hand, use clear block letters so the clerk can read every name.
You can also pick up a blank copy in person at any DMV Customer Service Center or DMV Select office. Grab the companion VSA 17A at the same time so you have both forms ready. A common misconception is that third-party “form filler” websites are official; they are not, and some charge fees for a document the state gives away for free.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the VSA 24 Line by Line
The form has four numbered sections. Complete them in order. The person filing (the heir) completes Sections 1 and 2, signs the certification in Section 3, lists every other interested person in Section 3, and then collects their consent signatures in Section 4.
Section 1: Vehicle Information — VIN
This box asks for the Vehicle Identification Number of the car you are transferring. Copy the 17-character VIN exactly from the title or the dashboard plate, using all capital letters and no spaces. For example, Carla Mendez writes 1HGCM82633A004352 for her late father’s sedan. If the VIN on the title is hard to read, match it to the VIN stamped on the lower driver-side windshield. The most common mistake is swapping the number zero for the letter O or the number one for the letter I, which makes the DMV record not match and freezes the transfer. Many people think a license plate number works here, but the plate is not the VIN, and the form will be returned.
Section 1: Vehicle Information — Make, Model, and Year
These three boxes ask for the brand, model name, and model year of the vehicle. Write them as they appear on the title, not as you say them in conversation. For example, Carla writes Make: HONDA, Model: ACCORD, Year: 2003. If the title abbreviates the make, copy the abbreviation rather than spelling it out. The common error is entering the year you bought the car instead of the model year printed on the title, which creates a mismatch. People often think the trim level (like EX or LX) belongs here; it does not, and adding it can confuse the clerk.
Section 2: Vehicle Owner (Decedent) Information — Name
This box asks for the full legal name of the deceased owner exactly as it reads on the title. Print the first, middle, and last name in capital letters. For example, Carla writes ROBERT JAMES MENDEZ because that is how her father’s name prints on the title. If the owner used a suffix like JR or SR on the title, include it. The biggest mistake is using a nickname or shortened name, which will not match the DMV record and stops the transfer. Some heirs believe they can list a married daughter’s new last name here; this box is only for the dead owner, not the heir.
Section 2: Vehicle Owner (Decedent) Information — Date of Death
This box asks for the date the owner died, written in MM/DD/YYYY format. Copy the date straight from the certified death certificate so the two documents agree. For example, Carla writes 02/14/2026. If the death certificate shows an “approximate” or “found on” date, use that exact wording from the certificate and be ready to explain it. The common error is guessing the date from memory and getting it wrong, which makes the DMV question the whole filing. People sometimes think the funeral date or burial date goes here; it does not — only the date of death listed on the official record.
Section 2: Vehicle Owner (Decedent) Information — Residence Address at Time of Death
This box asks for the home address where the owner lived when they died. Write the full street address, city, state, and ZIP code. For example, Carla writes 412 Oak Lane, Richmond, VA 23220. If the owner lived in a nursing home or with family at the end, use that final residence, not an old address. The common mistake is entering a mailing P.O. Box instead of a physical address, which fails to prove Virginia residency for the small estate rule. Many people assume the car’s parking location matters here; it does not — this box is about where the person lived.
Section 3: Heir Certification — Heir Name and Signature
This part asks the filing heir to print their name, sign, and date to swear the certification statements are true. Print your full legal name, sign in ink, and add the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. For example, Carla Mendez prints CARLA ELENA MENDEZ, signs Carla Mendez, and dates 03/02/2026. The certification swears the owner is dead, that you are an heir, that no estate qualification is expected, and that the decedent’s debts are paid or the sale proceeds will cover them. If you sign without reading these statements, you may certify something untrue, and the form warns this is made under penalty of perjury. A common misconception is that this signature is a formality; in truth, a knowingly false statement here is a criminal violation.
Section 3: Heir Certification — Names of All Other Persons With an Interest
This part asks you to print the full legal name of every other person who has a legal interest in the vehicle. Print each name in the numbered fields, using capital letters, and do not list yourself here. For example, Carla lists her two brothers: 1. DANIEL MENDEZ and 2. LUIS MENDEZ. If the owner left a will, every legatee with an interest in the car must be named; if there was no will, every intestate heir must be named. The rules differ by family setup, which the next paragraphs explain. The biggest mistake is leaving out an heir to speed things up, because a missing heir can later void the transfer and even trigger a fraud claim. People often think only adults need to be listed; minors with an interest must still be named, even though they cannot sign.
If there is a surviving spouse and all children belong to that spouse, only the surviving spouse completes and submits the form. But if there are children (or their descendants) from someone other than the surviving spouse, the spouse and those children must be named in Section 3, and, if of legal age, must sign in Section 4. If the vehicle is part of a family allowance, exempt property, or homestead allowance claim, only the surviving spouse needs to file. If there is no surviving spouse, every person with an interest must be named and, if of legal age, must consent.
Section 4: Consent to Transfer Title — Signatures
This section asks each person you listed in Section 3 to sign their consent to the transfer. Each named person who is of legal age signs on the matching numbered line. For example, Daniel Mendez signs on line 1 and Luis Mendez signs on line 2, matching the order Carla used in Section 3. The form holds six signature lines, which covers most families; if you have more than six heirs, ask the DMV how to attach an addendum. The common mistake is a Section 3 name with no matching Section 4 signature, which leaves the consent incomplete and the transfer blocked. Some people think a phone call or text consent is enough; only an ink signature on this line counts.
Although the VSA 24 itself does not print a notary block, the DMV may verify signatures and often expects the supporting death certificate to be certified or notarized. Sign the form in front of the clerk when filing in person if you are unsure. If you mail it, confirm with the DMV whether a notary is needed for your situation, because an unverified signature can cause a hold.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three of the most common family situations, each followed through the form by a named heir. Use the one that fits your case as a model.
Scenario 1: Surviving spouse, no will, one car under $50,000. Maria Flores’s husband, Tomas, died with no will and left only a paid-off pickup truck. Because all of their children are shared, Maria is the only person who must sign.
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 — VIN | 1FTRW08L23KB12345 |
| Section 1 — Make / Model / Year | FORD / F-150 / 2003 |
| Section 2 — Decedent Name | TOMAS RUIZ FLORES |
| Section 2 — Date of Death | 01/20/2026 |
| Section 2 — Residence Address | 88 Pine Street, Roanoke, VA 24011 |
| Section 3 — Other Interested Persons | (left blank — none required) |
| Section 3 — Heir Name and Signature | MARIA FLORES, signed, dated 02/05/2026 |
| Section 4 — Consent Signatures | (left blank — spouse is sole filer) |
Scenario 2: Adult child, no surviving spouse, multiple siblings consent. Kevin Park’s mother died a widow with no will, leaving a sedan to be split among three adult children. Kevin files, and his two siblings must consent.
| Form Section | What Kevin Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 — VIN | 2T1BURHE0FC123987 |
| Section 1 — Make / Model / Year | TOYOTA / COROLLA / 2015 |
| Section 2 — Decedent Name | SUN HEE PARK |
| Section 2 — Date of Death | 03/11/2026 |
| Section 2 — Residence Address | 204 Maple Court, Fairfax, VA 22030 |
| Section 3 — Other Interested Persons | 1. GRACE PARK; 2. DANIEL PARK |
| Section 3 — Heir Name and Signature | KEVIN PARK, signed, dated 03/28/2026 |
| Section 4 — Consent Signatures | 1. Grace Park; 2. Daniel Park |
Scenario 3: Blended family, surviving spouse plus stepchildren. Janet Cole’s husband died without a will. He had two adult children from a prior marriage, so Janet and both stepchildren must be named and sign.
| Form Section | What Janet Enters |
|---|---|
| Section 1 — VIN | 3VWdp7AJ5DM298765 |
| Section 1 — Make / Model / Year | VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA / 2013 |
| Section 2 — Decedent Name | HAROLD DEAN COLE |
| Section 2 — Date of Death | 04/02/2026 |
| Section 2 — Residence Address | 15 River Road, Norfolk, VA 23510 |
| Section 3 — Other Interested Persons | 1. AMY COLE; 2. BRIAN COLE |
| Section 3 — Heir Name and Signature | JANET COLE, signed, dated 04/19/2026 |
| Section 4 — Consent Signatures | 1. Amy Cole; 2. Brian Cole |
How to File the Completed Form
You can file the VSA 24 two ways: in person or by mail. There is no online filing for this affidavit. Bring or send the completed VSA 24, the certified death certificate, the assigned title, your VSA 17A, proof of address, and payment.
In person. Take everything to any DMV Customer Service Center or DMV Select office. The titling fee is $15, and most centers accept cash, check, money order, or card. Heir and spouse transfers are exempt from the 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax, so you should not be charged it. In-person filing is usually same-day, and you walk out with a new title or a printed receipt as proof.
By mail. Send the packet to the Virginia DMV, Attn: Titles and Registration Work Center, P.O. Box 27412, Richmond, VA 23269-0001, with a check or money order for the $15 fee. Mailed titles take longer to process, often a few weeks, so keep a copy of everything you send. Use tracked mail so you have proof of delivery as your proof of filing.
What Happens After You File
Once the DMV accepts your packet, it cancels the decedent’s title and issues a new title in the heir’s name. If you also completed the VSA 17A and paid registration fees, the car can be registered to you at the same time. Keep your stamped receipt until the new title arrives in the mail.
If the DMV finds a problem, it places the transfer on hold and contacts you, usually about a name mismatch, a missing signature, or an uncertified death certificate. Fixing the issue and resubmitting clears the hold. Once the title prints, you own the vehicle on record and may sell it, insure it, or drive it like any other titled owner.
The new title reflects only the heir who filed, even when several siblings consented. That is normal, because the consenting heirs signed away their claim to let one person take title. If the family later wants to sell and split the money, they handle that among themselves outside the DMV.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Using a nickname for the decedent — the name will not match the title and the transfer stops.
- Mistyping the VIN — a single wrong character pulls the wrong record and freezes processing.
- Listing yourself among the “other interested persons” — this confuses the clerk and delays review.
- Leaving out an heir to move faster — a missing heir can void the transfer and trigger a fraud claim.
- A Section 3 name with no Section 4 signature — the consent is incomplete and the form is rejected.
- Submitting a photocopied death certificate — only a certified or notarized copy is accepted.
- Using this form when an executor was appointed — the executor must handle the transfer instead.
- Using this form for an out-of-state car — the other state’s laws govern and the DMV returns it.
- Forgetting the companion VSA 17A — without it the title cannot be placed in your name.
- Skipping proof of address — the DMV cannot issue your new title and registration.
- Entering a P.O. Box for the decedent’s residence — it fails to prove Virginia residency.
- Guessing the date of death — a wrong date conflicts with the death certificate and stalls the filing.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do’s
- Do print every name in clear capital letters, because an unreadable name can be entered wrong.
- Do match the VIN, make, model, and year to the title exactly, because mismatches stop the transfer.
- Do read the Section 3 certification before signing, because you swear to it under penalty of perjury.
- Do bring a certified death certificate, because only a certified or notarized copy is accepted.
- Do list every interested heir, because a missing heir can later void the title.
- Do keep copies of everything you file, because they serve as your proof if a question arises.
Don’ts
- Don’t sign a title yourself before the affidavit clears, because you are not yet the legal owner.
- Don’t use this form if a court appointed an executor, because that person handles the transfer.
- Don’t add the heir’s name in the decedent box, because that box is only for the dead owner.
- Don’t accept verbal consent from siblings, because only ink signatures in Section 4 count.
- Don’t use a third-party paid form site, because the official VSA 24 is free from the DMV.
- Don’t mail originals you cannot replace, because mailed packets can be delayed or lost.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Professional Help |
|---|---|
| Free except the $15 titling fee, because you do the work yourself. | Costs attorney or service fees, because someone else handles it. |
| Same-day result in person, because you control the timing. | May add days, because you wait on the professional’s schedule. |
| Full control over accuracy, because you check each box yourself. | Expert review catches errors, because they file these often. |
| Simple cases are easy to do alone, because one signer means one form. | Complex estates run smoother, because pros manage many heirs. |
| You learn the process, because you handle each step directly. | Less stress for grieving families, because the burden shifts away. |
FAQs
Is the VSA 24 the same as the heir title affidavit?
Yes. The VSA 24, formally the Certification of Authority to Transfer Virginia Title, is the document people call the Virginia DMV heir title affidavit. The names refer to one form.
Do I write my own name in the “other persons having an interest” list in Section 3?
No. The filing heir signs the certification but does not appear in the list of other interested persons. List only the other heirs there.
Is a notary required on the VSA 24?
No. The form has no notary block, but the death certificate must be certified or notarized, and the DMV may verify signatures when you file.
Do I write the date of death or the funeral date in Section 2?
No. Only the date of death goes in that box, written MM/DD/YYYY, and it must match the certified death certificate exactly.
Can I use this form if the car is titled in another state?
No. An out-of-state vehicle must follow the titling laws of the state where it is titled, not Virginia’s VSA 24 process.
Can I use this form if a court appointed an executor?
No. If an executor or administrator has been appointed, that person handles the transfer, and the VSA 24 does not apply.
Do all siblings have to sign in Section 4?
Yes. Every interested person you name in Section 3 who is of legal age must sign their consent in Section 4 for the transfer to proceed.
Does the surviving spouse always have to gather other signatures?
No. If all children are shared with the spouse, only the spouse files; stepchildren from a prior marriage must also be named and sign.
Is there a fee to transfer the title?
Yes. The titling fee is $15, but heir and spouse transfers are exempt from the 4.15% Motor Vehicle Sales and Use Tax.
Can I file the VSA 24 online?
No. There is no online portal for this affidavit; you file it in person at a DMV office or by mail to Richmond.
Do I need the VSA 17A too?
Yes. The VSA 17A application puts the title in your name, so the VSA 24 and VSA 17A are filed together.
Does the estate value limit matter for this form?
Yes. The simplified heir route relies on Virginia’s small estate rule, and the estate value must currently be under $50,000.
Can I list more than six heirs on the form?
No. The form has only six signature lines, so if you have more heirs, ask the DMV how to attach an addendum.
What if the title is lost?
Yes, you can still transfer it, but you must also file the Application for Replacement and Substitute Titles (VSA 67) along with the VSA 24.
Related reading
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