Rhode Island DMV Title Transfer Guide

How To Transfer A Car Title In Rhode Island (RI)

If you’ve recently moved to the state of Rhode Island, you will have a month to go through the car title transfer process and have your vehicle registered in the state of Rhode Island. Fortunately, the process of having your car title transferred is fairly smooth and simple.

This brief guide will tell you everything you need to know about Rhode Island title transfer.

What Do You Need To Transfer A Car Title?

Most dealerships in Rhode Island handle the car title transfer process for their customers. However, if you purchased your vehicle from a private seller, you will need a few documents and completed forms to apply for the car title transfer on your own. You also need to meet the title transfer requirements.

Here is a list of the documents that you will need:

• A completed Form T-334-2, also referred to as the Use Tax Return.
• A completed Form TR-2/TR-9, also referred to as the Application for Title.
• A title certificate.
• Proof of a VIN inspection if you purchased the car in a state other than Rhode Island.
• Proof of your residency in the state of Rhode Island.
• Your ID card or driver’s license for Rhode Island.
• A bill of sale that has been completed.
• Payment for the title transfer fee as well as the sales tax. Typically, the title transfer fee amounts to $51.50 without tax.

If you have any other questions, you should directly reach out to the Rhode Island DMV. One common question, for example, that many people have is: My car title was signed but never transferred. What do I do?

How Much Does It Cost To Transfer A Car Title In Rhode Island?

One question that many people who are new to the state of Rhode Island ask is “How much is a title transfer?” A new car title costs $51.50 in the state of Rhode Island.

The title transfer fee and the duplicate title transfer fee are also $51.50. You will need to get a duplicate title transfer fee if your car title has been stolen or lost. After reporting your car title as stolen to the police department, you should go through the process of requesting a duplicate title.

If you simply want to get a set of ownership documents for a vehicle that doesn’t have a title, you will need to pay $11.50. Rhode Island doesn’t title vehicles that have a 2000 model year or older.

When it comes to the cost of transferring a car title, you will also need to pay a sales tax. The sales tax for new or used vehicles is 7 percent of the purchase price or the NADA retail value. If you received the vehicle as a gift, there is no sales tax unless you were told specifically that there are taxes due.

How To Fill Out Transfer Of Title Form

You can find the DMV title transfer form on the DMV website. Some of the information that you will need to fill out the transfer of title form includes the purchase date, the vehicle identification number, the name, address, and signature of the buyer as well as the seller.

You will also need to know the plate number, year, and make of the vehicle.

How To Transfer Ownership of A Car Without A Title

The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) of Rhode Island doesn’t title vehicles of the model year 2000 year or older. However, the Rhode Island DMV offers drivers alternative documentation that they can use to prove their ownership of the vehicle.

In order to obtain this documentation, you will need the following:

• A bill of sale, if you just purchased the vehicle and haven’t had a chance to register the vehicle yet.
• Your RI driver’s license or an alternative document that you can use to prove your identity/
• A Registration/License Information Request (RLI) form that has been completed.
• A processing fee of $11.50.

Keep in mind that you can only request information pertaining to a vehicle that is currently under your ownership. You can either submit the RLI form in person or mail it to the address printed on the form. If you decide to mail the form to the RI DMV, be sure to include the $11.50 processing fee.

How To Transfer A Car Title To A Family Member

If you want to give away a vehicle to a family member as a donation or gift, the car title transfer process is largely the same. In general, the receiver of the gift or donation will act as the “buyer” while the donor will act as the “seller” of the vehicle.

Another question that many people have is “How to transfer a car title when owner is deceased?” If you’ve recently inherited a vehicle from a family member, you will need to go through the car title transfer process to get the car title in your name.

Some of the documents and items that you will need include the following:

• The bill of sale or the SU 87, which is the Affidavit of Gift of Motor Vehicle. If the donor isn’t a member of your immediate family, the SU 87 will need to be notarized.
• If the vehicle is of the model year 2001 or newer, you will need a title certificate.
• A completed Form TR-1, which is the Application for Registration and Title Certificate.
• The Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate-Motor Vehicles that has been completed.
• $51.50 fee for vehicle title transfer fee and any other title transfer fees.

Rhode Island DMV Hours And Contact Information

For more information on questions specific to your title transfer scenario, clarification on the title transfer process in the state of Rhode Island, or for RI DMV hours and to find the DMV location nearest to you, visit the official Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles Title Inquiry website by clicking here.

Common Questions About Rhode Island Title Transfer

Are there any questions about transferring a car title that we didn’t cover?

We are constantly updating our content and welcome your feedback. Leave us a comment and let us know any other questions you might have regarding how to transfer a car title in the state of Rhode Island.