RHODE ISLAND’S TITLE LAW HAS CHANGED ***Effective March 1, 2024*** The Rhode Island DMV will no longer be accepting photocopies, images, or electronic copies of titles. All new registration and/or new title transactions will now REQUIRE THE ORIGINAL TITLE to be submitted to the RI DMV at the time the transaction takes place. Your lienholder or leasing company can send the original title to the RI DMV, ATTN: Research Office, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920 or to you directly. We highly recommend that the title and other documents are sent with tracking information to enable customers and lienholders to know when the title was received. As long as your contact information (name, address, phone and e-mail) is included with the title, the RI DMV will contact you once your original title has been received so you can complete your transaction. Be advised that this process can take several weeks for the original title to be sent to the RI DMV. Please also be advised that the RI DMV cannot request a title from a lienholder or lease company. A VIN check is required for all transactions involving an Out-of-State title/vehicle. Reservations are required for all visits. PLEASE PLAN ACCORDINGLY. For more information on RI’s new title laws, and new requirements for registration and title transactions, CLICK HERE and scroll down.
Moving into RI from Out of State Forms and Fees You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration. Refer to the Checklist for Registration below for a list of documents needed to perform this transaction. You need to complete and sign the Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form. You need to complete and sign the Sales Tax Exemption Affidavit. Costs are listed in the DMV Registration Fee Table Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Tax Exempt Certificate (T-333-1) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Transferring In From Out-Of-State (SU-NR-1) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Checklist for Registrations PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Title Request for Lienholder or Leasing Company PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Things to Know Within 30 days of moving to Rhode Island you must obtain a new title and registration for your vehicle. Insurance is mandatory in Rhode Island. You must carry liability at the minimum and your insurance company must be licensed to do business in the State of Rhode Island. New residents need to have their cars inspected within five days of being registered. A title is required for registration unless the vehicle is older than model year 2001 AND the jurisdiction from which the vehicle is coming is one that does not require a title for that vehicle If two owners are on the title, both parties must be present during registration, if not, the signature of the absent party must be notarized on the Application for Registration.(TR-1 form) If the title is from another state or the vehicle was registered in another state a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check is required before you register the car. Contact the police station you are going to visit to inquire what forms of payment they accept, as not all Police Departments accept cash. If the lien holder has sent your valid out of state title to the RI DMV, you must first obtain it from the Research Office at the Cranston DMV before any transaction can be processed. Leased Vehicles: The Division of Motor Vehicles will not request a title from a leasing company.