---
type: Authority
title: RSMo §301.681 (transfer-on-death vehicle title)
description: Missouri statute allowing a motor-vehicle certificate of ownership in beneficiary (transfer-on-death) form so a vehicle passes outside probate.
resource: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=301.681
tags: [transfer-on-death, vehicle, deeds, probate-avoidance, missouri]
timestamp: 2026-06-22
jurisdiction: Missouri
author: Patrick Nolan
authority_type: statute
citation: RSMo §301.681
---

# Summary

RSMo §301.681 lets a Missouri vehicle owner hold the certificate of ownership in beneficiary form, also called transfer-on-death. The named beneficiary takes the vehicle at the owner's death without probate, and the owner keeps full control of the vehicle during life.

# Operative text

Paraphrased: §301.681 authorizes a certificate of ownership in beneficiary form for a motor vehicle. The owner names a transfer-on-death beneficiary on the title; the beneficiary has no rights while the owner is alive, and the vehicle passes to the beneficiary at death outside probate. Read the full section at the official source linked above.

# Decision rule

If you want a vehicle to pass outside probate, title it in beneficiary form under §301.681; this is the personal-property counterpart to a real-property beneficiary deed, which Missouri allows only for real estate.

# Related

- [Non-Probate Transfers](/okf/trusts-probate-avoidance/non-probate-transfers.md)
- [RSMo §461.025 (beneficiary deed, real property)](/okf/authorities/missouri/rsmo-461-025-beneficiary-deed.md)
- Official source: https://revisor.mo.gov/main/OneSection.aspx?section=301.681