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.
Veteran Plates Disabled Veteran When ordering disabled veteran license plates, you need to provide either discharge papers (form DD-214) or other valid proof supporting your military record. In addition, a special form from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 380 Westminster Street, Providence, RI is required indicating 100% disabled. Available as passenger or commercial (6300 lbs or less) plates Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table You will need to complete the Application for Registration and bring it to the DMV RIGL 31-6-8 Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes National Guard A letter from your commanding officer if active duty or certifying officer if retired, along with the RI National Guard Adjutant General's signature validating your National Guard status must be presented when applying. Available as passenger or commercial (8500 lbs or less) plates Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table You will need to complete the Application for Registration and bring it to the DMV RIGL 31-3-62 Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Prisoner of War (POW) When ordering POW plates, you need to provide either discharge papers (form DD-214) or other valid proof supporting your military record. This plate is issued to former prisoner's of war. Upon the death of the holder of any POW plates, the plates shall be transferred to his or her surviving spouse for the spouse's lifetime until he or she remarries. Available as passenger or commercial (10,001 lbs or less) plates Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table You will need to complete the Application for Registration and bring it to the DMV RIGL 31-3-46 Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Purple Heart When ordering purple heart plates, you need to provide either discharge papers (form DD-214) or other valid proof supporting your military record. Available to combat wounded recipients of the Purple Heart Medal. Available as passenger or commercial (10,001 lbs or less) plates Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table You will need to complete the Application for Registration and bring it to the DMV RIGL 31-3-48 Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Veteran When ordering veteran license plates, you need to provide either discharge papers (form DD-214) or other valid proof supporting your military record. If you are a "War Veteran" plate holder, you can request a remake of your existing plate number with the newly designed waving flag "Veteran" plate. Please contact the RI DMV through the Feedback & Questions tab which is on the right hand side of this screen. Available as passenger, commercial (12,000 lbs or less), and motorcycle plates There will be a sticker on the upper right corner designating the branch of service or gold star parent. You will need to complete the Application for Registration and bring it to the DMV Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table RIGL 31-3-53 Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Gold Star Families "Gold Star Family" means a person eligible to receive a gold star lapel button as defined in 10 U.S.C. § 1126; provided, the death was determined to be in the line of duty. To qualify for a "Gold Star Family" plate pursuant to RIGL 31-3-111, the Rhode Island Office of Veterans Affairs (RIOVA) must certify your eligibility. Please download and complete this application Gold Star Families Plate Application. Mail this completed application and a copy of the official Department of Defense Report of Casualty (DD Form 1300) or death notice of the service member, and/or any other supporting documents to RIOVA, Attention: Gold Star Family Special Registration Plate Certification, 560 Jefferson Blvd., Suite 206, Warwick, RI 02886-1371. If the person applying for a "Gold Star Family" plate is not listed on the Report of Casualty or Death Notice, RIOVA will require additional information to verify familial status. Upon certification, RIOVA will transmit a copy of the certification letter electronically to the RI DMV and the original certification letter will be mailed to the requestor. Only ONE set of plates will be issued to an eligible family member. Available as passenger or commercial (12,000 lbs. or less) plates Costs are listed in the DMV Plate Fee Table You will need to complete the Application for Registration and bring it to the DMV along with your old plates RIGL 31-3-111 Gold Star Families Plate Application PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes AAA Member Services AAA members in Rhode Island can take advantage of many transaction services at select branch offices. Learn More »