Department of Motor Vehicles

The death of a family member can be a busy and difficult time.  When someone dies, they often leave outstanding issues that need to be resolved.  On this page, you’ll find information that will help you take care of any issues with the deceased individual’s driver’s license and vehicle registration and title.

Driver license, permit, and ID  

If your loved one has passed away, please mail a copy of the death certificate and a photocopy of their license or ID (if you have it) to the DMV. This will prevent further mailings or identity theft. 

DMV License Production Bureau
P.O. Box 2688 ESP
Albany, NY 12220-0668

Plate surrender and registration refund

It may be possible to request a refund of the deceased individual’s registration fee.  DMV will issue the refund to the name of the estate. To request a refund

• surrender the vehicle plates at a DMV office and request a ‘transfer receipt’, not a ‘refund receipt’
• have the executor of the deceased's estate send these items to the address listed on the request for refund
• completed and signed Request for Refund (PDF) (MV-215), with "deceased" written on the form
• a photocopy of the death certificate
• the transfer receipt

 

See location, instructions and reservation information for your DMV

 

If the estate of the registrant is settled, call the DMV Revenue Accounting Unit at

518-474-0902

to request a 'Next of Kin' form. Send the 'Next of Kin' form, Request for Refund (MV-215) and the transfer receipt to the address on form MV-215. The refund is issued in the name of the next of kin.

Transferring ownership of a deceased individual's vehicle

Use this checklist to help you transfer the ownership when the vehicle owner is deceased (PDF) (MV-843). 

The DMV has more information on how to transfer ownership of a vehicle if someone is deceased.