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Ten Copies

Clerk's desk/October 2, 2026

The DMV wants its own paper

A title transfer is a separate errand from the bank. Some motor vehicle offices want an original or certified death certificate. Others accept a photocopy on a named form and hand the paper back. Read that state's form and set one certified copy aside.

USA.gov says to contact the state motor vehicles office to cancel a license or ID and to transfer the title of a vehicle the person owned. It also says most agencies and programs want certified copies. The form for the state where the vehicle is titled is the list that matters. This desk does not say who may sign the title.

What three offices printed this check

  • Florida form HSMV 82152, surviving-spouse title transfer: an original or certified copy of the death certificate is mandatory. A marriage certificate is also required unless the surviving spouse is already named on the death certificate.
  • California form REG 5, one path when the registered owner is deceased: an original death certificate is required. The DMV says that original will be returned.
  • New York, on the spouse transfer to another person: the DMV says it accepts a photocopy of the death certificate or a certification of death, with form MV-349.1. Canceling the license is a different mailing. New York asks you to mail a copy of the death certificate and a photocopy of the license so the mailings stop. That envelope is not the title.

Order one certified copy and keep it with the title papers. If the counter keeps it, the bank stack is untouched. If they hand it back, you still have it. This desk does not give legal advice and does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Read the motor vehicle form before you pay.