Titles will be issued about 30 days from the registration date.

Who receives the title?
If there is no lien on the title, the title will be mailed to the new owner (the name that appears on the registration).

 

If there is a lien on the title, the title is mailed to the lienholder.

Will the CT DMV accept an electronic title?
We do not participate in any electronic title or electronic lien holder programs and are unable to receive an electronic title or lienholder record.

A lot of time has passed, and I haven’t received my title. What should I do?
You have 90 days from the transaction date to re-apply for a title at no cost. Please fill out a statement of non-receipt of title and mail it to:

 

Department of Motor Vehicles
Room 305, Specialized Registry Services
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

 

Once the form is received, we will verify if you’re eligible to receive a title at no fee. The process will take about 30 days.

How to apply

Step 1: Gather what you’ll need. Completed Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form H-6B).
A lien release letter is needed unless the lien date is greater than 10 years. The lien release letter needs to be printed on official letterhead.

Step 2:

Complete your transaction in-person or by mail.

In-person

A replacement title can be issued at any DMV hub office or limited service office during your appointment.

 

Appointments are required. Make an appointment online.

By mail

Mail the application and $25 check or money order payable DMV to:

 

State of Connecticut
Department of Motor Vehicles
Attn: Specialized Registry Services
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

 

It may take up to 90 days to complete requests made through the mail.

Step 1:

Gather what you need.

• Completed Application for Registration and Title (Form H-13B).

Tip: You’ll need the current odometer reading.

• Submit the current Connecticut title.

If you do not have the Connecticut title, you can submit form H-6B application for a duplicate title.

• Payment. Check or money order payable to the Department of Motor Vehicles for $45.

Tip: If you’re using Form H-6B, and there is currently a lien on the vehicle, you’ll need a lien release letter. Additionally, there is a $25 fee. Your total fees will be $50.

• If someone other than the titled owner is signing the application, please submit a Power of Attorney

Step 2: Mail all documents

The above documentation should be mailed to:

 

Department of Motor Vehicles
Specialized Registry Services
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

Note: A new title will be issued and sent directly to the lienholder listed.

 

You may have received a lien release letter stating that the loan has been satisfied. It is not necessary for you to obtain a new certificate of title removing your previous lienholder. You may keep the stamped paid certificate of title from your lienholder and use this title for future sale or transfer of the vehicle.

 

Please note: Connecticut does not participate in any electronic title or electronic lien holder programs.

A title search will verify who the current titled owner of record of a motor vehicle is in the State of Connecticut. If you want more information, such as odometer readings or a complete ownership history on record, then note it in Section 3 (Miscellaneous Request) of a Title Copy Records Request (form J-23T).

 

Step 1: Gather what you’ll need:

• Complete a title copy records request Form J-23T to request a title search. You need to include:
  
  • Make
  • Year
  • Identification number of the vehicle
  • Registration number or name
• Include one form of identification on the front and back of the form.
• Check or money order for $20 payable to “DMV.” (Certification is an additional $20.)

Step 2: Mail materials to:

 

Department of Motor Vehicles
Copy Records Unit
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

 

Tip: If evidence is needed for tax purposes that ownership of a motor vehicle has been transferred, don’t request a title search. Instead, request a photocopy of copy the cancelled title. Requesting a certified copy will cost an additional $20.)

Titles aren’t required in all circumstances. Exceptions include:

• Vehicles more than 20 model years old. This letter can be used as proof of title exemption
• Special mobile equipment
• Any trailer having a gross weight not in excess of 3,000 lbs.
• A snowmobile or ATV
• Vessels older than the year 2017.

Additional information can be found online or by calling 860-263-5710.

If your title has been misplaced and you are selling your vehicle to a Connecticut resident:

• Fill out Application for Replacement Certificate of Title (Form H-6B).
• Complete an Original Connecticut DMV Supplemental Assignment of Ownership Form (Q1 Form).

The transfer of ownership won’t be valid unless the Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (Q1 Form) is completed. Additionally, the lien release letter needs to be provided if the lienholder is listed on the title.

You need to get a lien release letter from your loan company. The letter should be on loan institution letterhead. Information and must include owner(s) name, vehicle description: year, make, identification number, state the loan has been paid in full or there is no interest in the vehicle and signed by authorized agent.

 

If the loan is more than ten years old, and you are unable to obtain a lien release, please complete section 2 on the H6B form. (Lien status for lien over 10 years old)(e.g., out of business, change name, etc.), the Motor Vehicle Ownership Affidavit (Form H-115) can be completed in lieu of the lien release.

 

The legal representative must provide documentation (e.g., power of attorney or probate with proper identification required).

Joint ownership is characterized by the right of survivorship. When a Certificate of Title is in two names and one owner dies, the surviving owner would acquire the interest of the deceased owner. Joint ownership is identified by use of the conjunction or. Both owners are required to sign the original Application for Registration and Title (form H-13B). However, only one signature is required to change ownership of this vehicle.

 

Example of Joint ownership: John Jones or Mary Jones.

 

Common ownership is characterized by the lack of the right of survivorship. Upon the death of one of two owners of a motor vehicle, the Probate Court will appoint a fiduciary (Administrator or Executor) to convey the deceased owner’s interest. A copy of the probate document will be required and should be attached to the Certificate of Title. In those cases where the estate of the decedent falls within certain monetary limits, the court may authorize the transfer of the deceased owner’s interest by letter. In this instance, a copy of the letter should be attached to the Certificate of Title. Common ownership is identified by use of the conjunction and. Both owners are required to sign the original Application for Registration and Title (form H-13B), as well as all future transactions for this vehicle, unless probate documents are shown as mentioned above.

 

Example of Common ownership: John Jones and Mary Jones.

 

When there isn't a conjunction listed either party can transfer ownership; only one signature is required.

Legends are used when a title is branded based on previous title history. Here are the different types of legends that may appear when making an inquiry.

Rebuilt:
This vehicle has gone through a salvage inspection after the vehicle has been declared a total loss and the title has been stamped salvage by an insurance company.

This is a duplicate title and may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate: 
The customer has lost the original title and has been issued a duplicate title.

This vehicle may be subject to undisclosed lien: 
This legend is recorded when the vehicle was either last registered in a state that doesn’t title that model year vehicle or a state in which the title is not the exclusive means of recording a lien on a motor vehicle.

Bond posted under section 14-176 C.G.S.: 
Customer did not have necessary documents for proof of ownership and a surety bond was required to protect the State of Connecticut against any ownership claims.

Glider kit: 
The vehicle was constructed from kit.

True mileage unknown: 
Mileage was not submitted at time title was applied for. May also indicate some discrepancy in the odometer reading.

Manufacturers buyback: 
Vehicle was returned to manufacturer by previous owner.

Flood: 
Vehicle has sustained flood damage and has been declared a loss by an insurance company.

Odometer exceeds mechanical limits: 
The odometer reading reflects the amount of mileage in excess of its mechanical limits. (The odometer started at zero again).

Warning odometer discrepancy: 
The odometer does not reflect the actual mileage.

Salvage
When a vehicle has been declared a total loss by an insurance company. It is illegal to operate this vehicle upon any road in Connecticut. 

Not actual mileage
This when a vehicle odometer reading cannot be determined.

Online dealers: Correction after title issuance for title-only transactions

A permanent registration and title are assigned when a vehicle is registered in the online system. The proper fee and a completed H-13 form should be sent to Mail Operations Division for any corrections.

Corrections after title issuance are processed differently than error corrections processed prior to title issuance. After a title has been issued, all errors are required to be processed as ownership transfers.

These transactions are not dealer transactions (dealer section is not to be completed on the H-13). The dealer is only acting as the agent for these transactions. 

Example of common errors:

• Loan agreements not matching the current registration and title 
• The lease company’s name isn’t the name the lease company wanted i.e., Nissan Infiniti LT vs. NILT Inc.,
• The customer wanted to add or drop a name on the new vehicle. 

These errors can’t be corrected by going back to the original application; once it has been completed and processed a new registration and title have to be applied for.

Required documents

• Application form H-13 must be completed in full (see below) 
  
  • Odometer Reading: must be the current mileage. 
  • Seller: must be the name listed on the current title. 
  • Dealer section: do not complete. 
  • New or Used: must be “used” **. 
• Outstanding certificate of title properly assigned from seller (the name that appears on the front of the title) to buyer (how the vehicle should be registered and titled). 
• A letter of lien release for lien correction (if applicable). 
• A current Connecticut Insurance Card in the name of the applicants(s). 
• Photocopies of the current applicant’s driver license. 
• The proper fees for a record transfer, title, and lien fees (if applicable). 
• A power of attorney is needed if the lien holder or dealer is signing paperwork for applicant, accompanied by that person’s photo ID. 
• A photocopy of the current registration.
• Fees required to be submitted in check or money order: 
  
  • $65.00 with lienholder
  • $55.00 without lienholder. 

Mailing information

Please mail these transactions to:

Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161
Attn: Specialized Registry Services

If you have any questions regarding this type of transaction, please contact the Dealer Processing Unit at (860) 263-5181.

** In order to keep the vehicle listed as “New” a letter from the dealer, on dealer letterhead, must be submitted within six months from the title issuance date. The letter must state that the lien holder/lease company has requested a new title because it was registered and titled incorrectly.