Detailed Answer

Short answer: To retitle a car owned by your deceased parent in Alaska you will first identify how the vehicle is titled, then use the appropriate pathway — an easy DMV transfer (if the title names a surviving co-owner or transfer-on-death/beneficiary), a small‑estate affidavit or similar summary process (when available), or full probate administration (when required). Which path applies depends on how the vehicle is titled and the size/complexity of the estate.

Step 1 — Gather basic documents and information

Locate the vehicle title (certificate of title).
Obtain a certified copy of the parent’s death certificate from the state vital records office.
Find the will (if any), and any beneficiary or “transfer on death” designation on the title or in estate paperwork.
Get the vehicle information: VIN, make, model, current odometer reading, and any lienholder information.

Step 2 — Determine how the vehicle is owned

The required steps depend on ownership type:

Joint owner with right of survivorship (co‑owner listed on title): The surviving co‑owner usually can have the vehicle retitled by presenting the death certificate and the current title to the Alaska Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Title lists a beneficiary or transfer-on-death designation: Follow the DMV process to transfer to the named beneficiary.
Sole ownership in decedent’s name: You must use either a small‑estate process (if applicable) or probate to get legal authority to transfer title.

Step 3 — Use the appropriate transfer method

Method A — Simple DMV transfer (joint owner or beneficiary)

If the title names a surviving co‑owner or a beneficiary, the DMV generally requires:

The vehicle title signed or reassigned as required.
A certified copy of the death certificate.
Identification for the person applying (driver’s license or ID).
Payment of title and registration fees and any applicable taxes.

Contact the Alaska DMV for the exact forms and steps: https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/

Method B — Small estate/summary transfer (if available)

Alaska law allows limited summary procedures for distributing certain small estates or specific classes of personal property without full probate. If the estate qualifies under Alaska’s probate rules for a summary or small‑estate procedure, a person entitled to the vehicle can use the court‑approved documents or an affidavit to transfer title.

To explore this route, review Alaska probate procedures and small estate rules with the court or an attorney. The Alaska Court System provides probate information and forms: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm

Method C — Probate administration (when required)

If the vehicle is part of an estate that must go through formal probate (for example, if no summary procedure is available or the estate is complex), the personal representative (executor or administrator) must be appointed by an Alaska probate court. The court issues letters testamentary or letters of administration. Those letters give the personal representative the legal authority to transfer or sell estate property, including motor vehicles. The DMV will accept certified copies of the letters along with the death certificate to retitle the car in the estate or the new owner’s name.

See Alaska statutes governing probate (Title 13) and the Alaska Court System for probate filing procedures: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/statutes/13 and https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm

Step 4 — Visit the Alaska DMV to complete the title transfer

Regardless of which method you use, the DMV will typically require:

The original title properly endorsed (or a certified court order + letters);
A certified death certificate;
Proof of the applicant’s authority to transfer (surviving owner’s ID, beneficiary documentation, small‑estate affidavit, or letters from the probate court);
Payment of title fees, registration fees, and any applicable taxes.

Confirm acceptable documents and whether an in‑person visit is necessary at the Alaska DMV website: https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/

Hypothetical example

Anna’s father dies and leaves a car titled solely in his name worth about $4,000. Anna finds a will but no beneficiary listed on the title. She checks the court’s small‑estate options and finds she can use an affidavit procedure for personal property under the threshold set by Alaska law. She completes the required affidavit, obtains a certified death certificate, and takes those documents to the DMV. The DMV accepts the affidavit and issues a new title in Anna’s name after she pays the required fees.

When you likely need an attorney

Consider talking to a probate attorney if:

The estate is large or contains many assets or debts;
There is no will and family heirs disagree about ownership;
A lender is listed on the title (you may need to resolve liens);
Unclear documents, or the small‑estate process is uncertain or contested.

Helpful Hints

Start by locating the title and a certified death certificate — these two items determine most next steps.
Check the title closely for co‑owners, “with rights of survivorship,” or transfer‑on‑death language.
Contact the Alaska DMV early to confirm required forms and fees rather than assuming a one‑size‑fits‑all process: https://doa.alaska.gov/dmv/
Check the Alaska Court System’s probate information and forms before filing anything: https://courts.alaska.gov/shc/probate/index.htm
If a lien appears on the title, contact the listed lender — liens must be released or addressed before a clear transfer.
Keep certified copies of all court and probate documents; the DMV typically requires certified documents, not photocopies.
If you expect disputes or complex creditor issues, obtain an attorney early to avoid costly delays.

Disclaimer: This article explains general processes under Alaska law and is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. For legal advice about a specific situation, consult a licensed attorney in Alaska.