Updated October 8, 2026. Quick answer: Yes, for securities. Washington’s Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act, chapter 21.35 RCW, says a transfer on death registration “is effective by reason of the contract regarding the registration” and is not testamentary.
How Washington handles transfer-on-death registration
| Item | What the state documents say |
|---|---|
| Brokerage and securities accounts | Chapter 21.35 RCW, the Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act, lets a security, whether held as a certificate or an account, be registered in beneficiary form with the words transfer on death, TOD, pay on death or POD. Only an individual whose registration shows sole ownership, or joint ownership with right of survivorship, may use beneficiary form. The source says: “Registration in beneficiary form may be shown by the words”. A registering entity decides the terms and conditions for accepting these requests. |
| Effect on the will and probate | Under RCW 21.35.035, ownership passes to the surviving beneficiary by the registration. RCW 21.35.045 states that the transfer works through the contract between the owner and the registering entity and is not testamentary, so it does not run through the will. The source says: “ownership of securities registered in beneficiary form passes to the beneficiary”. The security falls into the owner’s estate only if no beneficiary survives all owners. |
| Changing the beneficiary | RCW 21.35.030 provides that naming a beneficiary has no effect on ownership until the owner’s death, and that the owner may cancel or change the registration at any time. The source says: “without the consent of the beneficiary”. The statute also says the designation does not affect community property rights and obligations of owners. |
| Vehicle titles | The Washington Department of Licensing rule on a deceased owner, WAC 308-56A-335, lists three titling options: the estate, a new owner through a personal representative, or the surviving joint tenant. The rule cited here does not describe naming a transfer on death beneficiary on a vehicle title, and the Department of Licensing is the place to confirm whether one is available. Joint ownership with right of survivorship must be indicated on the certificate of ownership for the surviving owner to transfer the vehicle into their name. |
A $250,000 brokerage account split
An owner holds a brokerage account worth $250,000 and registers it in beneficiary form to two named beneficiaries, with each to receive half. Each share is computed as $250,000 x 50% = $125,000. The 50/50 split is the owner’s illustration, not a rule of the state: the owner names the beneficiaries and, where the form allows it, the shares.
Real estate, probate and estate tax
A transfer on death deed is a different instrument for real property: see Washington transfer on death deed. For what probate costs in Washington, see Washington probate cost, and for Washington’s own estate or inheritance tax, see Washington estate and inheritance tax. Which of these your account or vehicle falls under depends on how it is titled.
Related: Washington probate cost, how Washington taxes retirement income, Washington estate and inheritance tax, Washington transfer on death deed, car titles after a death, by state, and transfer-on-death registration by state.
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Answer againSources
- Chapter 21.35 RCW, Uniform Transfer on Death Security Registration Act (Washington State Legislature): app.leg.wa.gov
- WAC 308-56A-335, Owner deceased (Washington State Legislature, Department of Licensing rule): https://app.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=308-56A-335
Sources: the primary documents linked above, read on October 8, 2026. General information, not tax advice. Your own facts decide the outcome, and a preparer, the plan administrator or the agency itself is the right place to confirm anything consequential.