State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles

Adding, Dropping or Changing a Name
on a Registration and Title

This service is provided by appointment only at a DMV office.  When adding, dropping or changing a name on a vehicle that is currently registered, the owner will need to make an appointment at a DMV office and present the following:

To Add a Name:

  • The original certificate of title signed by the owner (seller), showing the additional names on the reverse side. Both names must be listed as buyer with the proper conjunction. Please see Definition of Joint/Common Ownership for conjunction information. If title is currently held by a lien holder, the title must be released for "transfer purposes only."  And the lienholder needs to specify who they are allowing to add on the Title.
  • If this is a non-titled vehicle (vehicles with a model year over 20 years prior to the current year), a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (form Q-1) must be completed in full indicating the additional name.
  • Application for Registration and Title (form H-13B) must be completed and signed by both registering persons.  Indicate the conjunction of ownership as it will appear on the new registration and title.  Both parties must sign the application and also include dates of birth.
  • The owner's current Connecticut Insurance Identification Card, which can be obtained from his/her insurance company. The insurance card must be in the name of both registered owner(s) of vehicle.
  • Identification is required for all people listed on the registration.  Photocopies are accepted.  See list of acceptable forms of ID. 

To Drop a Name:

  • The original certificate of title showing the change of name on the reverse side, signed by both owners,  must be presented to the DMV (if the title is currently held by a lien holder, the title must be released for "transfer purposes only"). And the lienholder needs to specify who they are allowing to drop on the Title.  If the name being dropped is that of a deceased person, please see information page concerning Deceased Person’s Vehicle.
  • Application for Registration and Title (form H-13B) must be completed and signed by the individual person registering the vehicle.
  • If this is a non-titled vehicle (vehicles with a model year over 20 years prior to the current year), a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (form Q-1) must be completed in full indicating the change of ownership.
  • If the purpose of dropping a name is due to a divorce and the vehicle is registered with the conjunction "and" or "and/or", you must submit a certified copy of the divorce decree, which specifically states you were awarded the vehicle. Otherwise, you will be required to pay sales tax on 1/2 of the book value.
  • The owner's current Connecticut Insurance Identification Card, which can be obtained from his/her insurance company. The insurance card must be in the name of registered owner of vehicle.

To Change a Name:

  • The original certificate of title showing the change of name on the reverse side, signed by the owner, must be presented to the DMV (if the title is currently held by a lien holder, the title must be released for "transfer purposes only").  And the lienholder needs to specify who they are allowing to change on the Title.  If the name being changed is that of a deceased person, please see information page concerning Deceased Person’s Vehicle.
  • If this is a non-titled vehicle (vehicles with a model year over 20 years prior to the current year), a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (form Q-1) must be completed in full indicating the change of name.
  • Application for Registration and Certificate of Title (form H-13B) must be completed and signed. If vehicle is being registered in two (2) names, proper ownership conjunction must be indicated as it will appear on the new registration and title.  Please see Definition of Joint/Common Ownership for conjunction information.   Both parties must sign the application and also include dates of birth.
  • Owner's current Connecticut Insurance Identification Card, which can be obtained from his/her insurance company. The insurance card must be in the new name of registered owner(s) of vehicle.
  • If the reason for the name change is due to marriage, civil union or divorce, the owner must show certified documentation showing the name change (ie: marriage license, civil union certificate or divorce decree).  Only the registration document must be presented, as the ownership on the title is not changing.  If you do not turn in your current registration a $20 duplicate registration fee will be charged.

No sales tax is due on a vehicle obtained through the transfer or sale to a member of the  immediate family. Immediate family is defined as one's mother, father, sister, brother, son, daughter, husband or wife. Please see Transfer/Sale Between Immediate Family Members for further information. Delinquent property tax restrictions also apply.

Make an Appointment at a DMV Office