Inheritance & Estate: Vehicle Registration Certificate After Death 2026

Comprehensive guide for transferring or selling an inherited vehicle — spouse, sole heir, or multiple heirs

✅ Authorized professionals ⚡ 24h processing 📬 48h delivery 🔒 100% online

Are you inheriting a vehicle after the death of a loved one? The process of changing the vehicle registration certificate (carte grise) due to inheritance is mandatory in most cases to be able to use or resell the vehicle. The rules vary depending on your situation: surviving spouse, sole heir, or multiple heirs.

CarteGriseFrançaise.fr relies on a network of approved and authorized professionals to process your registration procedures in full compliance. We check your file, prepare the documents, and submit your request to the ANTS, without you having to travel.

📍 Important: If you sell the vehicle less than 3 months after the death and it has not been driven, you are not obliged to register the vehicle in your name before the sale.

Why get a vehicle registration certificate for an inherited vehicle?

To legally drive an inherited vehicle, you must have a vehicle registration certificate in your name. Without it, you risk a fine if stopped. This step is also essential if you wish to resell the vehicle more than 3 months after the death.

Getting a new vehicle registration certificate allows you to:

  • ✅ Use the vehicle as an heir
  • ✅ Sell the vehicle more than 3 months after the death
  • ✅ Be in compliance with the administration

✅ Exceptions (no new vehicle registration certificate needed):

  • Sale of the vehicle less than 3 months after death
  • The vehicle has not been driven since the death
  • Scrapping of the vehicle

Different inheritance situations

1️⃣ You inherit as a spouse

💍 Community of property regime: You must complete a change of marital status following the death.

  • ✅ Tax-free in this case
  • 📝 Additional documents: notary's certificate, death certificate, certificate of no objection to the inheritance

Separation of property regime: The vehicle falls within the estate — you must complete a standard change of owner.

2️⃣ You are the sole heir

Procedure identical to a standard change of owner. Additional documents:

  • Notary's certificate confirming that the vehicle belongs to you
  • Or deed of notoriety issued by the notary
  • Or death certificate + sworn statement that there is no objection

3️⃣ Multiple heirs become co-owners

Additional documents:

  • Document attesting to the owner's death
  • Letter of renunciation from heirs who do not wish to become co-owners
  • Letter signed by co-owners to designate the main owner

Only the name of the main owner will appear on the vehicle registration certificate, but all co-owners are registered in the SIV.

📝 Documents required for inheritance

Basic documents:

  • Cerfa 13750 (application for vehicle registration certificate)
  • Valid ID (front/back)
  • Proof of address less than 6 months old
  • Copy of the old vehicle registration certificate
  • Valid insurance certificate
  • Technical inspection certificate less than 6 months old (for vehicles +4 years old)

Inheritance documents (one of the three):

  • Notary's certificate attesting to the death and that the vehicle is part of the estate
  • Or deed of notoriety established by a notary
  • Or death certificate + sworn statement from the heir

Selling the inherited vehicle

✅ Sale less than 3 months after death:

No need to register the vehicle in your name if it has not been driven. Required documents:

  • Certificate of transfer (Cerfa 15776) signed by you and the buyer
  • Notary's certificate or deed of notoriety
  • Sworn statement of non-circulation

Sale more than 3 months after death:

You must obligatorily register the vehicle in your name before you can resell it.

Special cases

Vehicle under LOA and death

  1. Inform the leasing company of the death
  2. If an heir wishes to take over the contract: provide death certificate, certificate of inheritance, transfer request
  3. If accepted: transfer of the vehicle registration certificate to the heir's name
  4. If refused: the company repossesses the vehicle

Collector vehicle and inheritance

Additional documents:

  • Certificate of authenticity or FFVE certificate
  • Confirmation that the vehicle is over 30 years old

Tip: If the vehicle is over 30 years old without collector mention, it is the ideal time to request it during the change of owner.

🎯 Entrust us with your vehicle registration inheritance

CarteGriseFrançaise.fr relies on a network of approved and authorized professionals to process your registration procedures in full compliance. Document verification, file preparation, change of owner — 100% online.

  • ✅ Verification of your situation (spouse, sole heir, co-owners)
  • ✅ Complete preparation of the inheritance file
  • ✅ Management of letters of renunciation
  • ✅ 100% online procedure, processed within 24h
🚀 Make my inheritance request

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to register the vehicle in my name?

No, if you sell the vehicle less than 3 months after the death and it has not been driven. In all other cases, yes.

What to do if the vehicle registration certificate is lost?

You must apply for a duplicate before you can use or sell the vehicle. Required documents: declaration of loss (Cerfa 13753) + SIV identification sheet.

Is changing the vehicle registration certificate for inheritance subject to a fee?

Free for the surviving spouse under community of property. Paid in other cases (applicable regional taxes).

Can I drive the vehicle while waiting for the new vehicle registration certificate?

Yes, with the temporary registration certificate (CPI) you receive after your application.

Where can I complete the vehicle registration procedures for inheritance?

It is no longer possible to complete the procedures at the prefecture since 2017. Everything is done 100% online via the ANTS or an authorized professional like CarteGriseFrançaise.fr.

What is the deadline for obtaining the vehicle registration certificate after a death?

There is no legal deadline imposed for changing the vehicle registration certificate after a death. However, if you wish to sell the vehicle more than 3 months after the death, you will first have to register it in your name.

📚 Useful resources

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