Form 31

What is Form 31?

Form 31 is an official application used to request the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle in case of the registered owner's death. In such cases, the legal heir or nominee must apply to the concerned Regional Transport Office to transfer the vehicle in their name. Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 make this application form mandatory for processing the vehicle ownership transfer after the registered owner's death. You must ensure submitting a duplicate copy of Form 31 to the financier (if applicable) after endorsement by the registering authority.

Form 30 vs Form 31: What is the Difference?

The table given below contains some of the common differences between Form 30 and Form 31:

What Details are Included in Form 31?

Some of the important information provided in a Form 31 is as follows:

• The Addressee: The registering authority to whom the application is to be submitted.
• Details of the Vehicle: The registration number of the vehicle, make, model, chassis number, engine number or motor number in case of battery-operated vehicles, type of vehicle, etc.
• Details of the Registered Owner: The name of the deceased registered owner of the vehicle, as indicated in the Registration Certificate (RC) of the vehicle.
• Details of the Nominee: The name of the nominee, the name of the husband/father of the nominee, the relationship of the nominee to the registered owner of the vehicle, proof of nomination, the mobile number of the nominee, signature of the nominee, etc.
• Details of the Financier: The name, full address, and the signature of the financier.
• Details of the Registering Authority: The reference number, name/designation of the officer of the registering authority, signature of the registering authority, etc.

How to Download Form 31?

You can check the steps given below to download Form 31 from Parivahan Sewa:

• Step 1: Visit the official Parivahan Sewa website.
• Step 2: From the navigation bar, tap on the 'Informational Services' option.
• Step 3: Click on the 'Downloadable Forms' option.
• Step 4: Tap on the 'Form 31' link to download it.

How to Fill Out Form 31?

Here are the steps to fill out Form 31:

• Step 1: Address the form to the registering authority.
• Step 2: Enter the required vehicle details, including the registration number, chassis number, etc.
• Step 3: Fill out the details required about the applicant, along with the signature and the name of the deceased owner.
• Step 4: Get the consent of the financier with their name, address, and signature (if applicable).
• Step 5: Submit the form along with the certificate of registration to the registering authority for office endorsement.
• Step 6: The registering authority will now process the form after entering the required details.

Documents Required with Form 31

Here is the list of documents required with Form 31:

• Form 29 and Form 30 (if required by the RTO)
• Proof of succession
• Death certificate of the registered owner
• A passport-size photograph of the transferee
• A passport-size photograph of the transferor
• Proof of address of the transferee
• Proof of the date of birth of the transferee
• No Objection Certificate (if applicable)

Importance of Form 31

Take a look at the pointers below to understand the importance of Form 31:

• Legal Succession: It is the mandatory legal document used to apply for the transfer of ownership of a motor vehicle to a legal heir. You cannot legally claim the vehicle as your own without it.
• Adherence to Timelines: You are legally required to inform the RTO about the owner's death within 30 days and submit Form 31 within 3 months to avoid penalties or legal complications.
• Liability Transition: The submission of this form will ensure that all legal and financial liabilities, such as traffic tickets, accidents, or taxes, are transferred from the name of the deceased owner to that of the successor.
• Enabling Future Transactions: You cannot renew the vehicle's insurance, get a fitness certificate, or eventually sell the car unless the vehicle RC is updated via Form 31 to reflect the current owner.

Common Reasons for Form 31 Rejection

Given below are some of the common reasons that result in rejection of Form 31:

• Missing or Invalid Succession Proof: The most frequent cause for rejection of Form 31 is failing to provide a valid succession certificate.
• Exceeding the Statutory Timeline: Form 31 is time-sensitive. If you do not notify the RTO about the death of the registered owner within 30 days or do not make the Form 31 application within 90 days, the RTO may reject the application, demand a formal explanation or impose a fine.
• Inconsistent Name Records: If the name of the deceased owner on the death certificate does not exactly match the name on the RC, the application is often flagged. Even minor spelling discrepancies can cause a rejection until an affidavit is provided.
• Active Loan (Hypothecation): If the vehicle was bought on a loan that has not been closed yet, the RTO cannot transfer the vehicle ownership without an NOC from the financier.