Selling your vehicle without a title

If you’ve lost your original Connecticut Certificate of Title and are selling the vehicle to someone who will be registering it in Connecticut, you are still able to sell the vehicle without requesting a replacement title. (If you would like a replacement title, known as a “duplicate,” learn more about how to request one.)

Follow the steps below to sell your vehicle without a current title:

• Request and complete a supplemental assignment of ownership form (Form Q1), also available at your local DMV office. 
  • IMPORTANT: Transfer of ownership won’t be valid unless this completed form is included.
• Complete the application for replacement Certificate of Title (Form H-6B).
• If a lien was listed on the original Connecticut Certificate of Title, provide a lien release to the purchaser along with the application for replacement Certificate of Title. 
  • IMPORTANT: The transaction won’t be processed if a lien release is not submitted. 
  • The lien release must be on letterhead from the lienholder. If the date of the lien is more than ten years and you can’t get a lien release, you’re your lender (e.g., they are no longer in business, have changed their name, etc.), you must provide a completed motor vehicle ownership affidavit (Form H-115) in lieu of the lien release.

Note: If the vehicle is over 20 model years old, a Connecticut title is not required to sell the vehicle. If title isn’t available, you will still need to request and a supplemental assignment of ownership form (Form Q1) to indicate the buyer and the seller.

Note: If the vehicle is being sold to someone in another state, you’re required to request a replacement title. Once you have received the duplicate title, complete the transfer section on the reverse side of the title and provide it to the buyer of the vehicle.

Recently applied for titles

The usual processing time for the issuance of a Connecticut title is 14 days from the date the vehicle is registered.
Please see below for issuance information:

• If there is no lien on the title, the title will be mailed to the new owner (the name that appears on the registration).
• If there is a lien on the title, the title is mailed to the lienholder.

Note: Connecticut doesn’t participate in any electronic title or electronic lienholder program and isn’t able to receive an electronic title or lienholder record.

If you haven’t received your title yet and it has been longer than 14 days since your vehicle registration, you have 90 days from the transaction date to re-apply for a title at no cost.

Please fill out a statement of non-receipt of title and mail it to:

Department of Motor Vehicles 
Room 305, Specialized Registry Services 
60 State Street 
Wethersfield, CT 06161 
 
Once the form is received, we will verify if you’re eligible to receive a title at no fee. The process may take up to 14 days.