Massachusetts
Title Fee
$75.00
Sales Tax Rate
6.25%
Other Tax Rate
Who must title a vehicle in Massachusetts?
All motor vehicles and trailers used on highways, and all vessels 14 ft+ designed for or using a motor, must be titled.
Exempt: U.S. government vehicles, federally documented vessels, implements of husbandry, special mobile equipment, self-propelled wheelchairs/invalid tricycles, trailers ≤3,000 lbs. GW, snowmobiles, ATVs, mopeds, and some older vehicles.
Who issues titles and where are applications submitted?
Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV) for vehicles/trailers; Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) for vessels.
Application: Registration and Title Application at RMV Service Center or by mail; $75.00 fee.
Vessels: Registration and Titling Application to MEP; $27.50 fee.
What documents are needed as proof of ownership?
New vehicles: Manufacturer’s Certificate/Statement of Origin + bill of sale.
Used vehicles: Certificate of Title + bill of sale.
Non-title states: Registration + bill of sale.
Government surplus: SF97-1 + bill of sale.
Foreign vehicles: Foreign docs, CBP 7501/3299, English translation if needed.
How are special titles or brands handled?
Memorandum Title: For vehicles with out-of-state lienholder; not transferable unless with out-of-state title.
Bonded Title: If insufficient proof, bond = 1.5x clean trade-in value, valid 3 years, with affidavit, VIN inspection, and all transfer docs.
Brands: Reconstructed, Owner Retained, Mileage in Kilometers, Custom, Replica, Specially Constructed, Street Rod, Odometer Discrepancy, Undisclosed Lien, Memorandum, Bonded, Repairable Salvage, Parts Only Salvage, and more. Out-of-state brands are carried forward.
Salvage: Required for total loss, stolen/unrecovered, or uneconomical repair; insurer must apply within 10 days.
Reconstructed/Recovered Theft: Owner must restore, then apply for inspection and title; $50.00 inspection, $75.00 title.
Junk: Title must be surrendered within 10 days after scrapping; vehicle cannot be retitled.
How are duplicate/corrected titles handled?
Duplicate: Application online or by mail; $25.00 fee for vehicles, $16.50 for vessels.
Amended: Title Amendment Form; $25.00 fee.
Vessels: $16.50 for duplicate; lienholder must apply if lien exists.
Other notes:
Odometer disclosure required for all transfers (exempt for 2010 or older, trailers, trucks >16,000 lbs.).
VIN/HIN inspection required for certain vehicles, rebuilt/specially constructed, or out-of-country vehicles.
Are electronic signatures accepted?
Yes, for most RMV forms; some vessel/ATV/snowmobile forms require email approval trail.
What taxes apply to vehicle purchases/registrations?
Sales/Use Tax: 6.25% on purchase price (or higher of purchase price or clean trade-in value for casual sales).Trade-in credit allowed for dealer/lessor sales.
Credit for sales tax paid to a reciprocal state.
New residents exempt if vehicle was owned/titled/registered out-of-state for 6+ months.
Exemptions: Gifts (MVU-24/MVU-26), government, insurance, certain business/family transfers, etc.
Other taxes/fees:
Excise Tax: $25.00 per $1,000 of valuation for vehicles/trailers; $10.00 per $1,000 for vessels. Minimum $5.00.Levied annually/biennially; nonpayment blocks registration/renewal.
Personal Property Tax: Applies to unregistered vehicles, snowmobiles, ATVs.
Heavy Vehicle Use Tax: Proof required for vehicles ≥55,000 lbs.
How are liens recorded and perfected?
Enter lienholder info on title application; $75.00 fee.
Lien perfected if delivered within 10 days; otherwise, as of delivery.
Add lien: Title Amendment Form + $25.00 fee.
Second lien: Primary lienholder delivers title to subordinate for submission.
How are liens released or assigned?
Lienholder must release within 3 days of satisfaction, deliver to next lienholder or owner, and notify RMV.
Subordinate lienholder must release within 3 days and deliver to primary.
Assignment: Submit released title + Title Amendment Form + $25.00.
ELT (Electronic Lien & Title) program available; electronic release triggers paper title to owner.
How does repossession work in Massachusetts?
21-Day Right to Cure Letter must be sent to debtor.
After 21 days, repossession allowed if peaceful; law enforcement must be notified within 1 hour.
Plates must be returned to owner by end of 2nd day after possession.
Lienholder submits notarized Affidavit of Repossession, title, and Registration/Title Application.
For vessels, lienholder must obtain title in their name before transfer.
Other notes:
Mechanic’s/storage liens require court order for transfer of ownership.
Enforcement Agency:
Massachusetts Registry of Motor VehiclesPO Box 55889, Boston, MA 02205
857.368.8000
Mass RMV
Additional Regulatory/Enforcement Contacts:
Massachusetts State Police: 470 Worcester Rd, Framingham, MA 01702, 508.820.2300
Key Regulations:
Insurance required: $20,000/$40,000/$5,000 + $8,000 PIP minimum.
Proof of insurance required at registration.
Annual safety and emissions testing required.
Two plates required (one for trailers, motorcycles, etc.); plates transferable for 7 days after vehicle sale.
Title records kept for previous and current years.