Title services

Here you’ll find everything you need to manage a wide variety of title services—including requesting a replacement title, adding a lienholder, and requesting a title search.

If your loan has been satisfied, you don’t need to request a new certificate of title removing the previous lienholder. You may retain the stamped paid certificate of title from your lienholder. This title can be used for the future sale or transfer of the vehicle.

Related resources

Obtaining a CT title

• Make changes to a title
• Additional title information
• National Motor Vehicle Titling Information System (NMVTIS)

Make changes to a title

• Requesting a replacement title
• Adding a lienholder
• Requesting a title record/history

Requesting a replacement title

Adding a lienholder

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 in place of the current Connecticut title , 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 $70.

• 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, Room 305
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.

Requesting a title record/history

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

  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 the cancelled title. Requesting a certified copy will cost an additional $20.)

  Additional title information

  • Recently applied for titles
  • When a title isn’t needed
  • Ownership transfer in absence of a title
  • Additional lienholder information
  • Definition of a joint or common ownership
  • Branded titles (legends)
  • Title information by state

  Recently applied for titles

  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.

  When a title isn’t needed

  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.

  Ownership transfer in absence of a title

  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.

  Additional lienholder information

  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).

  Definition of a joint or common ownership

  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.
  • To transfer ownership on a titled vessel, signatures from both owners are required regardless of conjunction.

  Branded titles (legends)

  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.

  Title information by state

  State (State with asterisk are not all titled)	Type of vehicle	Title boats?	Became a titled service	Telephone number
  Alabama*	1980 & newer	No	1975	334-242-9000
  Alaska	All vehicles	No	1951	907-269-5551
  Arizona	All vehicles	No	1927	602-255-0072
  Arkansas	All vehicles	No	1950	501-682-4692
  California	All vehicles	Yes	1936	800-777-0133
  Colorado	All vehicles	No	1925	303-205-5600
  Connecticut*	20 years and newer	Yes, 2017	1959	860-263-5700
  Delaware	All vehicles	No	1941	302-744-2500
  District of Columbia	All vehicles	Yes	1932	202-737-4404
  Florida	All vehicles	Yes	1923	850-617-2000
  Georgia*	1986 and newer	No	1962	855-406-5221
  Hawaii	All vehicles	No	1929	808-532-7700
  Idaho	All vehicles	Yes	1927	208-334-8663
  Illinois	All vehicles	Yes	1934	217-785-3000
  Indiana	All vehicles	Yes	1921	888-692-6841
  Iowa	All vehicles	Yes	1953	515-237-3110
  Kansas	All vehicles	No	1937	785-296-3621
  Kentucky	All vehicles	Yes	1974	502-567-1257
  Louisiana	All vehicles	No	1950	225-925-6146
  Maine*	1995 & newer	No	1974	207-624-9000
  Maryland	All vehicles	Yes	1920	301-729-4550
  Massachusetts	1990 & newer	Yes	1972	857-368-8000
  Michigan	All vehicles	Yes	1921	888-767-6424
  Minnesota	All vehicles	Yes	1972	651-297-2126
  Mississippi	All vehicles	No	1969	601-923-7200
  Missouri	All vehicles	Yes	1921	573-526-3669
  Montana	All vehicles	Yes	1926	406-444-3661
  Nebraska	All vehicles	Yes	1939	402-471-2281
  Nevada	All vehicles	Yes	1931	775-684-4368
  New Hampshire*	15 years and newer	No	1968	603-227-4000
  New Jersey	All vehicles	Yes	1946	609-292-6500
  New Mexico	All vehicles	Yes	1912	888-683-4636
  New York	1973 and newer	Yes	1972	718-477-4820
  North Carolina	All vehicles	Yes	1923	919-715-7000
  North Dakota	All vehicles	No	1927	701-328-2725
  Ohio	All vehicles	Yes	1938	614-752-7500
  Oklahoma	All vehicles	Yes	1925	405-521-3160
  Oregon	All vehicles	Yes	1925	503-945-5000
  Pennsylvania	All vehicles	Yes	1923	717-412-5300
  Rhode Island	2001 and newer	Yes	1972	401-462-5774
  South Carolina	All vehicles	Yes	1958	803-896-5000
  South Dakota	All vehicles	Yes	1925	605-773-3541
  Tennessee	All vehicles	No	1951	615-741-3101
  Texas	All vehicles	Yes	1939	888-368-4689
  Utah	All vehicles	Yes	1934	801-297-7780
  Vermont*	15 years and newer	Yes	1971	802-828-2000
  Virginia	All vehicles	Yes	1924	804-497-7100
  Washington	All vehicles	Yes	1967	360-902-3770
  West Virginia	All vehicles	Yes	1930	304-558-3900
  Wisconsin	All vehicles	Yes	1927	608-266-1466
  Wyoming	All vehicles	Yes	1935	307-777-4851