Massachusetts Title & Registration Guide

Application for Title

Registration and Title Application is submitted to any full service RMV Service Center^1,2. An out-of-state dealer or service provider may mail application to: Registry of Motor Vehicles, Registration Department, PO Box 55895, Boston, MA 02205-5895. Fee $75.00. Make checks payable to MASSDOT RMV. Allow 6–8 weeks for delivery. Fast title service is available in emergency situations.

There is an online vehicle title status request.

¹ Vessels are titled through the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP), Boat and Recreation Vehicle Registration and Titling Bureau. Make checks payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
² Business to Business (B2B) locations process bulk transactions for dealers and insurance companies.

Electronic Signatures

If a signature is required, an electronic signature satisfies the law. As part of the RMV's technology upgrade to ATLAS, an Agreement For Access To Records And Data Maintained By The Registry Of Motor Vehicles and other pertinent documents must be reviewed and electronically signed through DocuSign.

There is a process for insurance companies to produce an electronic signature and insurance certification stamp for the title application. RMV must approve all electronically generated forms and insurance stamps prior to implementation.

Electronic signatures are accepted on a bill of sale/purchase agreement for a vessel, ATV, or snowmobile if accompanied by a printed email chain giving approval of these types of signatures between the purchaser and seller or broker and client.

Title Only

Issued.

Duplicate and Amended Title

Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title is used to apply for a duplicate title and a Title Amendment Form is used to apply for an amended title. Duplicate may be obtained online. Fee $25.00. Allow 7–10 business days to receive duplicate title (no lien) if applied for online; 20–22 business days if done by mail. Allow one business day for an amended title-lien if ELT; 15–22 business days if applied for by mail.

An Application for Duplicate Title must be submitted with the title if mutilated or illegible and a fee of $16.50 for vessels. If there is a current lien on the vessel, the lienholder must apply for duplicate.

Owner Retained Title

When an owner retains possession of a total loss salvage motor vehicle, the owner must apply for an Owner Retained Title or a Salvage Repairable Title. When a motor vehicle not subject to an insurance settlement is damaged to the extent that the owner determines the vehicle to be a total loss salvage motor vehicle, the owner must apply for a salvage title. Fee $75.00 for owner-retained title; $50.00 for salvage repairable title.

Abandoned Vessel

Owner must notify the MEP in writing within 15 days of the abandonment of a vessel. A Request for File Search must be completed to begin the abandoned process. Certified mail notices must be sent to all identified owners and lienholders of the intent to claim the property. A legal notice of the lien and proposed disposition must be posted for three consecutive days in a newspaper of general circulation. If owner/lienholder fails to claim the vessel within 90 days, application for title may be submitted. A notarized affidavit, original newspaper clippings, an application for title, a pencil tracing or printed digital picture of the HIN, and the title fee must be mailed to: Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Attn: Paula Gaston, 75 Perseverance Way, Suite 207A, Hyannis, MA 02601.

Adding a Second Lien

To add a second lien, the primary lienholder must deliver the title to the subordinate lienholder for submission to the RMV, or upon receipt of an application and fee from the subordinate lienholder, submit to the RMV along with the title. The RMV will issue a new title showing the subsequent lien and mail the title to the first lienholder.

Damage Disclosure Statement

A seller must disclose to the purchaser that a vehicle has a Salvage Title. A seller must inform a purchaser about any and all known defects which impair the safety or use of the vehicle. A seller with the knowledge that the engine or electrical parts have been submerged in water, or that the vehicle has been used as a police car, taxicab, or rental/lease vehicle must indicate such fact in writing on the bill of sale to avoid penalty.

Transfer Upon Death

A surviving spouse may transfer or retain the vehicle upon submission of an Affidavit of Surviving Spouse, a copy of the death certificate, and the existing title. A Registration and Title Application is required if spouse is retaining the vehicle and the vehicle is to remain registered. A notice of transfer is sent to any lienholder of record. If no title has been previously issued and a title is required, title fee applies.

If transfer is made to someone other than a surviving spouse, the personal representative must assign the title and provide a copy of appointment papers.

Requirements

When the lienholder shown on the title repossesses the vehicle, a notarized Affidavit of Repossession must be submitted with the title and a Registration and Title Application. The lienholder need not obtain title in his name prior to transferring the vehicle.

Titled Vessels

If a lienholder repossesses a titled vessel and holds it for resale, the lienholder must secure a new title in their name prior to transfer. Title fee required.

Application for Registration

Submitted to any full service RMV Service Center or through the Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR) system. Certificate of Registration must be carried in the vehicle. New residents must register vehicles in Massachusetts at time of establishing residency.

Vessels, ATVs, and snowmobiles are registered through the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP). Make checks payable to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Cash is not accepted.

Electronic Vehicle Registration (EVR)

Allows approved end users to process registration and title transactions online through an EVR Service Provider.

Nonresidents

A properly registered motor vehicle or trailer owned by a nonresident may be operated in Massachusetts without registering in Massachusetts to the extent the state or country of registration grants substantially similar privileges; provided, that no motor vehicle or trailer may be operated for more than 30 days in any one year or in any case where the owner acquires a regular place of abode or business or employment within Massachusetts. Vessels properly registered in another state may be used in Massachusetts for up to 60 consecutive days without titling and registering. Out-of-state ATV and snowmobile registrations are not valid in Massachusetts.

Planned Non-Operation

Inoperable or stored vehicles are not required to be registered. Registrations may be cancelled online. Once plates are cancelled, they must be recycled or destroyed. Vehicles with cancelled registration are exempt excise tax.

Refunds

To secure a full refund of a registration fee, a Rebate/Refund Application must be submitted with the unused registration and license plates within 10 days of the effective date of registration. A prorated refund is issued if registration is canceled prior to the first day of the seventh month following the effective date. Refunds are also issued on overpayments. Special plate fees are non-refundable.

Lease Information

Same forms, fees, and procedures apply for leased vehicles as privately-owned vehicles. Leasing company must be registered with the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Title and registration issued in the name of the lessor.

Sales tax is collected on rental receipts. No credit for trade-in. Excise tax must also be paid. A $2.00 police training surcharge is imposed on each vehicle rental transaction in Massachusetts. (Surcharge does not apply to Transportation Network Companies or to rental periods of less than 12 hours that are charged on an hourly basis.)

Insurance Requirements

$20,000/$40,000/$5,000 plus $8,000 PIP minimum requirements. Insurer must sign the Registration and Title Application. Insurers must notify the RMV if coverage lapses; vehicle owner must obtain new insurance within 10 days or registration will be revoked.

Motor Vehicle Safety and Emissions Testing

All vehicles registered in Massachusetts must pass a yearly vehicle inspection. Newly purchased vehicles must be inspected within seven days of registration. Massachusetts Low Emission Vehicle (LEV) Program requires most new vehicles with 7,500 or fewer miles must be equipped with a factory-installed California-certified advanced emission control system. Non-LEV vehicles may not be registered in Massachusetts.

Massachusetts has adopted California Zero-Emission Vehicle (ZEV) standards for passenger cars and light-duty trucks, California's Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, Phase 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) regulation for MHD engines and vehicles, and Heavy-Duty Omnibus regulation for heavy-duty engines and vehicles.