New Registration

Forms and Fees

• You need to complete and sign the Application for Registration.
• Refer to the Checklist for Registration for a list of documents needed to perform this transaction.
• Costs are listed in the DMV Registration Fee Table
• Minors under the age of 18 who want to process a registration in their name are required to have a GU-1338 certificate of insurance on record at the Cranston DMV. The GU-1338 certificate of insurance must be in the name of the minor, contact your Insurance Company to obtain this minor filing insurance.  For more information about GU-1338 insurance click here.
• Samples of Bill of Sale, Gift Letter Immediate Family, Gift Letter Non Immediate Family, Plate Gift Letter

Dealer Sale

• Insurance Information (valid RI insurance)
• Dealer Sales Tax form
• Bill of Sale
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR is found on VIN plate on driver's side door)
• RI license or identification card
• RI Use Tax form (out-of-state dealers only)
• Power of Attorney (if leased vehicle)
• If two owners on title, both parties must be present during registration, if not, signature of the absent party must be notarized on the Application for Registration.
• Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or original Title or Proof of Previous Owner (such as a registration certificate or paid sales tax form) from a non-titled state.
  • Title is required unless the vehicle is older than model year 2001 AND the jurisdiction from which the vehicle is coming is one that does not require a title for that vehicle
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• VIN Check: If the title is from another state or the vehicle was registered in another state, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check is required before you register the car.
• Sales tax on vehicle sales is due on the 20th day of the month following the month the sale took place.  Sales tax must be paid prior to or at the time of registration.  For more information on sales tax, please click here.

Private Party Sale

• Insurance Information (valid RI insurance)
• Original Title or Proof of Previous Owner (such as a registration certificate or paid sales tax form) from a non-titled state.
  • Title is required unless the vehicle is older than model year 2001 AND the jurisdiction from which the vehicle is coming is one that does not require a title for that vehicle
• Seller must sign the back of the title (if model year of vehicle is 2001 or newer).
• Bill of Sale (sample)
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR is found on VIN plate on driver's side door)
• RI license or identification card
• Proof of Previous Owner, such as a registration certificate (non-titled vehicles)
• Gift letter (notarized and accompanied by a gift affidavit if vehicle gifted is from a non-immediate family member) (sample immediate family gift letter, sample non immediate family gift letter, sample plate gift letter)
• If two owners on title, both parties must be present during registration, if not, signature of the absent party must be notarized on Application for Registration.
• VIN Check: If the title is from another state or the vehicle was registered in another state, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check is required before you register the car.
• Sales tax on vehicle sales is due on the 20th day of the month following the month the sale took place.  Sales tax must be paid prior to or at the time of registration.  For more information on sales tax, please click here.

Gifted Vehicle 

• Insurance Information (valid RI insurance)
• Original Title or Proof of Previous Owner (such as a registration certificate or paid sales tax form) from a non-titled state.
  • Title is required unless the vehicle is older than model year 2001 AND the jurisdiction from which the vehicle is coming is one that does not require a title for that vehicle
• Seller (Person gifting the vehicle) must sign the back of the title
• Gross Vehicle Weight (GVWR is found on VIN plate on driver's side door)
• RI license or identification card
• Gift letter (notarized ONLY if gift is from a non - immediate family member) (sample immediate family gift letter, sample non immediate family gift letter, sample plate gift letter)
• Gift Affidavit (only if gift is from a non-immediate family member) – NOTE: The gift affidavit found on our website does NOT constitute a gift letter.
• VIN Check: If the title is from another state or the vehicle was registered in another state, a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) check is required before you register the car.
• Tax Exempt Certificate
• SALES TAX INFORMATION FOR GIFTED VEHICLES
• Immediate Family: No sales tax on the vehicle unless outstanding taxes are due. A signed letter of gift is required to exempt you from the sales tax. Immediate family members for purposes of taxation are:  parent, step-parent, sibling, step-sibling, spouse, child or step-child.
• Non-Immediate Family: No sales tax on the vehicle unless outstanding taxes are due. A signed and notarized letter of gift and gift affidavit is required to exempt you from the sales tax