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.
Surviving Spouse Forms and Fees You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration. You need to complete and sign the Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate form. Refer to the Checklist for Registration below for a list of documents needed to perform this transaction. No costs are associated with this transaction. Application for Registration TR-1 PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Tax Exempt Certificate (T-333-1) PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes Checklist for Registrations PDF file, less than 1mbmegabytes No Cost Policy: Applies only to spouses not to any other family member of the deceased. Please refer to the Transfer at Death section for all other death related transfers. Things to Know If model year of the vehicle is 2001 or newer, a title in the name of the deceased person is always required. Rhode Island vehicles model year 2000 and older first registered to the deceased person prior to 1/1/2024 require a valid proof of ownership (e.g. old registration, or paid sales tax form) in the name of the deceased person Since Rhode Island is titling all vehicles beginning 1/1/2024, Rhode Island vehicles model year 2000 and older first registered to the deceased person on or after 1/1/2024 require a title in the deceased person's name. If the vehicle has a loan/lien, the original title is required to update owner. A permission letter from the bank to remove or add the new owner is also required. The current registration in the name of the deceased person is required. An original death certificate is required. The DMV will make a photocopy and return the original to you. Sign the vehicle over to yourself by printing and signing your name in both the buyer and seller areas on the back of the title. Be sure to include the vehicle's current mileage reading. There is no tax owed as long as the vehicle was registered in the deceased spouse's name (not to a business).