Title Transfers

If you purchased your vehicle after November 26, 1990, it must be titled, proving your ownership of the vehicle, before you can register it with the Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). You do not need a driver's license to hold title to a vehicle.

If you have a car, truck, motorcycle or other motor vehicle that's model year 1980 or older, and you purchased it before November 26, 1990, the vehicle is exempt from titling.

Massachusetts law requires that you apply for a new title within 10 days of purchasing a vehicle. Any vehicle purchased after November 26, 1990 must be titled, except for the following:

• A vehicle owned by the federal government.

• A demo or testing vehicle owned by a manufacturer or dealer.

• A vehicle owned by a resident of another state and titled in that state.

• A vehicle on loan from a vehicle manufacturer or distributor to the state or a municipality.

• A vehicle that travels interstate regularly to transport people or goods and is registered in another state.

• An implement of husbandry.

• An animal-powered vehicle.

• Special mobile equipment.

• A self-propelled wheelchair or invalid tricycle.

• A trailer with a gross weight of 3,000 pounds or less.

• A manufactured/mobile home.

Any vehicle that does not meet the above qualifications must be titled.

How to Apply for a Massachusetts Title

New Vehicle Bought from a Dealer

• Have your Massachusetts dealer complete an Application for Title, form RMV-1.

• Take the completed RMV-1 to your insurance company for approval and then to your nearest RMV office. Also take along a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin, which the dealer will also provide you with.

Used Vehicle Bought from a Dealer

• Have your Massachusetts dealer complete an Application for Title, form RMV-1.

• The dealer must give you the previous owner's title, signed over to the dealer, as well as a dealer reassignment form.

• If the vehicle is pre-1980 and does not require a title, the dealer must give you a bill of sale and the vehicle's previous registration certificate.

• Take the completed RMV-1 and other documents to your insurance company for approval and then to your nearest RMV office.

Used Vehicle Bought From a Private Seller

The seller will need to sign the previous title over to you as part of the sales agreement, and give you a detailed bill of sale. You'll need to present these to the RMV in order to obtain a new title for the vehicle.

Titling Fees

A new Massachusetts title costs $50 for the title application, plus sales tax of five percent of the cost of the vehicle (or its Blue Book value, whichever is higher). If you purchased it from a licensed Massachusetts dealer, the dealer will collect the sales tax. If not, you will pay sales tax directly to the RMV during the titling and registration process.

Possessing a Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Title

The RMV will process a new title about four weeks after the title application is accepted. If there is a lienholder on the vehicle―like a bank that provided you a car loan―the title will be sent directly to the lienholder. When you pay off your loan, the lienholder should mail the title to you.

Otherwise, you will possess the title yourself. Don't lose it or keep it in the car. Put it in a safe place until you need it again, such as when you sell the vehicle.

How to Add or Delete a Name

You need to apply for a new title if you plan to add or delete an owner from the record. This change is not considered an amendment to the title, but a transfer of ownership. A new original title will be issued.

Types of Titles

• Clear: The most common title, with no previous notations, legends or sub-brands.

• Salvage: For a vehicle that has been declared a total loss resulting from fire, vandalism, collision, theft or flood. Salvage titles are further broken down into two categories:

• Repairable: Assigned to a vehicle that has been salvaged but can be repaired. This title requires a sub-brand of fire, vandalism, collision, theft or flood.

• Parts-only: Assigned to a vehicle that can only be sold for parts, due to excessive damage. The vehicle can never be re-titled or re-registered.

• Reconstructed: A vehicle previously titled as salvage-repairable and has been repaired and inspected. This title requires a sub-brand of prior fire, vandalism, collision, theft or flood.

• Recovered Theft: Assigned to a vehicle previously titled as salvage-repairable, with minimal damage. This title requires a sub-brand of prior fire, vandalism, collision, theft or flood.

• Memorandum: A placeholder, a non-negotiable title issued when a vehicle is brought from out of state to Massachusetts, has a lien, and the lienholder is in possession of the out-of-state title. A memorandum title is not transferable unless accompanied by the out-of-state title.

• Owner Retained: Issued when an insurance company deems a vehicle to be a total loss and the owner keeps the vehicle. The vehicle must have an active registration and be capable of being safely operated on a public highway.

Duplicate Titles

If you lose your Massachusetts motor vehicle title, or it gets destroyed, you can obtain a duplicate title from the RMV. Complete an Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title and take it to an RMV office for processing, along with a $25 fee. Or you can mail it with a check to the following address:

• Attn: Duplicate Titles Department

• Registry of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 55885

• Boston, MA 02205-5885

Allow seven to 10 days for the duplicate title to be processed and mailed.

How to Transfer Title if a Spouse Dies

You need to fill out an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse form when transferring a vehicle title after a husband or wife dies.

If you are selling the vehicle, give the completed form to the buyer, along with a copy of the death certificate and the assigned title.

If you plan to keep the vehicle, have your car insurance agent fill out an Application for Title, form RMV-1. The agent will stamp and sign the form.

Then bring the form, along with the Affidavit of Surviving Spouse, the death certificate, and the title, to a full-service RMV branch office.

How to Change Your Name on a Title

Recently married or divorced drivers may want to change their name on a vehicle title. To do that, you first need to fill out a Title Amendment form. Sign and mail the form, the original title, and a check or money order for $25 to:

• Attn: Titles Division

• Registry of Motor Vehicles

• P.O. Box 55885

• Boston, MA 02205-5885

Make the check payable to the Registry of Motor Vehicles. Allow seven to 10 business days for processing.

Gift Transfers

You do not have to pay sales tax on a car given to you as a gift, as long as the previous owner is in compliance with state tax laws where the vehicle was previously registered or titled.

To get a waiver on the sales tax, you need to fill out a sales tax exemption form. You also need to have proof of car insurance. Your insurance agent needs to complete an Application for Registration and Title, form RMV-1.

Take both forms, along with the previous owner's title (or bill of sale for a nontitled vehicle), to a full-service RMV branch office. You will be issued a registration and plates. A new title will be mailed to you in six to eight weeks. The fee is $25.