How to Get a Replacement Car Title in Connecticut

Misplacing your vehicle title can feel like losing the keys to a safe—it’s the one document that truly proves you own your car. Without it, you cannot legally sell your vehicle, trade it in, or even move it to another state. If you’ve searched every junk drawer and glovebox only to come up empty, you aren’t alone. Fortunately, the Connecticut DMV has simplified the replacement process, offering several ways to secure a fresh certificate of title.

Whether you need a physical copy for a private sale or are simply keeping your paperwork in order, this guide explains how to navigate the replacement process with professional efficiency.

Eligibility and Requirements for a CT Duplicate Title

Before you begin, it’s important to determine if your vehicle even requires a title. In Connecticut, vehicles that are 20 years old or older are considered “non-titled.” If your car fits this age bracket, you don’t need a replacement title; a Supplemental Assignment of Ownership (Form Q-1) and a Bill of Sale are sufficient for any transaction.

For newer vehicles, the titled owner(s) or a legal representative must initiate the request. If you still have a loan on the vehicle, the lienholder is technically the title holder and must be the one to apply for the replacement.

Checklist: What You Need for Your CT DMV Title Application

• Vehicle Identification Number (VIN): Found on your dashboard or insurance card.
• Personal ID: Your Connecticut driver’s license or non-driver ID number.
• Form H-6B: The official “Application for Replacement Certificate of Title.”
• Lien Release: If you recently paid off your car, you must provide a letter from your bank stating the lien has been satisfied.

3 Ways to Request a Replacement Title from the Connecticut DMV

The Connecticut DMV provides three distinct paths to get a duplicate title. Choose the one that fits your timeline and convenience.

Method 1: Online Portal (Fastest for Individual Owners)

The online system is the gold standard for owners who have a clean record and no active loans on their car. If your address is current and you are the sole titled owner, this is your path.

• How it works: You access the CT DMV Online Services and verify your identity using your driver’s license number and SSN.
• The Cost: $25 (Payable via credit or debit card).
• The Timeline: Once submitted, the title is printed centrally and mailed to the address the DMV has on file. You should expect it to arrive within 20 business days.
• The Catch: You cannot use this method if you have a lien (loan) on the vehicle or if you recently moved and haven’t performed a Connecticut DMV change of address. The system will only mail the document to the registered address—it will not be forwarded by the post office.

Method 2: Mail-In Application (Best for Complex Cases & Liens)

If you are handling a title for a deceased family member, or if you need to release a lien at the same time, the mail-in method is your only option. This is the “paper-heavy” route that requires meticulous attention to detail.

• The Form: You must download and complete Form H-6B (Application for Replacement Certificate of Title).
• Requirements: You must sign the form in ink. If a lienholder (bank) was originally listed, you must include an original lien release letter on the bank’s letterhead. Photocopies are rejected 100% of the time.
• Mailing Address: > Department of Motor Vehicles > Specialized Registry Services, Room 30560 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161
• The Timeline: Mail-in requests are processed in the order they are received. While the printing takes the same 20 days, the administrative backlog can push the total wait time to 30–45 days.

Method 3: In-Person Appointment (Best for Urgent Vehicle Sales)

While you still won’t get the title printed on the spot, visiting a DMV office is the preferred method if you are in the middle of a vehicle sale and the buyer is waiting.

• The Appointment: You cannot walk in. You must book a DMV CT appointment in Connecticut under “Title/Registration Services.”
• The Advantage: If you are selling the car to another Connecticut resident, you can skip waiting for the duplicate title to arrive in the mail. By bringing a completed Form H-6B and a Form Q-1 (Supplemental Assignment of Ownership), the DMV can process the title replacement and the transfer of ownership to the new buyer in a single transaction.
• The Cost: You pay the $25 replacement fee plus any applicable registration fees for the new owner.

Handling Liens and Ownership Transfers During a Title Replacement

A common roadblock occurs when a title is lost during a sale. If you are the seller and have lost the title, you can often save time by filling out the “Ownership Transfer” section of Form H-6B and the Form Q-1 simultaneously. This allows the buyer to register the vehicle in Connecticut without waiting for a separate duplicate title to arrive first.

If there is an active lien, the DMV will only mail the title directly to the lienholder. If you’ve paid off the loan but the DMV still shows the bank on file, you must include an original lien release letter on the bank’s letterhead.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Losing your car title is an administrative hurdle, but it shouldn’t be a source of stress. By utilizing the online portal or mailing in Form H-6B with the correct $25 fee, you can restore your proof of ownership in about three weeks. Before you start, ensure your current Connecticut driving record reflects your correct address so your new document reaches you safely. Once your paperwork is submitted, your only task is to wait for the mail—leaving you ready to sell, trade, or simply enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a complete set of records.