State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Requirements to Register Your Personal Car, SUV and Pickup Truck

 

 

The documents you need to register a vehicle will vary on whether 1) your title is from Connecticut or a different state, 2) your vehicle has a lien, or 3) if your vehicle is leased. 

 

This service is offered by appointment only at DMV offices. Make an appointment here. 

 

Please carefully read the instructions below to be sure you have the correct documents prior to visiting a DMV office.

If you are new to Connecticut, you have 60 days to transfer your vehicle registration to this state once you have established residency.

 

Here are the steps to take:

 

Step 1: Check for outstanding issues
  • Prior to registering your vehicle, be sure you do not have any issues (such as property taxes or insurance lapses) that may stop you. Check online here. 
Step 2: Gather your documents

Documents required:

  • Identification. You must present an acceptable form of identification to register your vehicle. See full list of acceptable forms of identification.
  • Proof of insurance.  Your insurance card must include this information.
  • Completed registration application (Form H-13B).  Download and fill out this form before coming into the office.
  • Bill of sale.For vehicles recently purchased. You can use this form.  
  • Payment:  A passenger vehicle registration with new plates (and no lien) will cost $195. (There is an additional $10 fee for processing a vehicle with a lien). Pickup truck fees vary by weight. Please see the fee chart for more information.  In addition, sales tax will be charged on recently purchased vehicles. 
  • Proof of ownership.  An original title is required.  If it is a vehicle from outside Connecticut, please see Title Information By State to know if title is needed. If vehicle is not title in that state, valid registration from previous owner is needed. If registration is expired, you will need to obtain a letter of registration verification from the previous state DMV.

A leased vehicle requires an original power of attorney from the leasing company.  If you have a lien or are leasing a vehicle, you must contact your lienholder or leasing company to notify them that Connecticut requires the original vehicle title to register a vehicle.  

Please notify the lien holder or leasing company using this letter and ask them to mail the title to the address below:

 

State of Connecticut
Department of Motor Vehicles
ATTN: Record Updates
60 State Street
Wethersfield, CT 06161

 

Upon confirmation of receipt of your title documents, please allow 5 business days for the vehicle to be processed into the system before visiting a branch office.

 

If the original title is not available, you can request a six-month registration (called a courtesy registration) to give your lienholder or leasing company time to mail your original title to Connecticut DMV. This applies only when there is a lien holder holding the original title. More information on how to apply for a courtesy registration.

 

Step 3: (Out-of-State Titled Vehicles only) Bring Vehicle to an Emissions Test Center 

 

Visit an official emissions test center to check your vehicle prior to visiting DMV office.  This is required only for vehicles with an out-of-state title. The inspection fee will be $20.  Be sure to bring your inspection report to DMV when registering your vehicle.

 

Step 4: Make an Appointment at a DMV office - Make Appointment Here

 

If you are transferring your license and registration, you must make an appointment for "Out-of-State Transfers" here.