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.
Name & Address Change Address Change The DMV maintains one physical address and one mailing address per customer. Updating your address will update all DMV records associated with your account. Online: If you hold a RI Operator License/State ID/Permit/Commercial Driver's License, you can update your address online by clicking here. Your address of record will be updated. You will not receive any updated registrations. By Mail: Complete the Change of Address Notice and mail to Division of Motor Vehicles, Attn: Update Address, 600 New London Ave, Cranston, RI, 02920. There is no fee to update your address of record. You will not receive any updated registrations. If you would like to receive a new copy of your registration certificate(s) listing the new address, you will also need to fill out an Application for Registration for each registration and include a check or money order made payable to the Division of Motor Vehicles. Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table. In Person: Done at any DMV branch location. Complete the Change of Address Notice. If you would like to receive a new copy of your registration certificate(s) listing the new address, you will also need to fill out an Application for Registration for each registration. Costs are listed in the DMV Fee Table. Update Address / Contact Information PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Name Change Obtaining a new title because of a name change requires the original title in the previous name to be submitted to the DMV. If there is a loan on the vehicle, the bank must release the title to process the name change. You must change the name on your license, by visiting a Social Security Office, prior to changing the name on your registration and title. This process is done in batch with a 24 hr. turn around time frame. The Application for Registration must be signed by the registered owner and notarized.