A car title certifies who legally owns the vehicle. It contains the name and address of the owner as well as the vehicle identification number (VIN). When you move to a new state or sell your car, the title’s ownership must be transferred. If it gets lost, stolen, or becomes too damaged to use, you can apply for a replacement title.

Requesting a replacement or duplicate title is not complicated, but the rules vary from state to state. To help you with this process,

car insurance

broker app

Jerry

has created a how-to guide on title replacement.

What you’ll need to replace your title in Massachusetts

To start, you’ll need to gather all the required documentation and complete the title replacement application. You will need to have the following information:

A completed

Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title (T20558)

Your

vehicle identification number

(VIN)

Certificate of title number (this information can be found on your registration)

Massachusetts driver’s license

or ID number

Current odometer reading

Federal Identification (FID) number if the owner of the vehicle is a business

If there is a lien on your vehicle at the time of application, the lienholder’s information must be filled out in the specified fields on the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title.

If you previously had a

loan on your car

and that loan was paid off, contact your former lienholder (such as a bank or credit union) to confirm that they aren’t still in possession of your title.

If they do not have it, you will need to get a letter on their letterhead stating that the loan has been paid off. Make sure that this letter specifies the year, make, VIN, and all titled owners of your car. The original copy of the letter must be submitted with your application regardless of the age of the loan.

MORE:

What does it mean to have a clean car title?

How to apply for a replacement title in Massachusetts

You can apply for a replacement title by mail or

online

. Regardless of which method you choose, you will need to do the following:

Complete the Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title

Pay the $25 application fee by check or money order—payable to MassDOT

To request your replacement title by mail, send the completed application and payment to:

Registry of Motor Vehicles

Title Division

P.O. Box 5585

Boston, MA 02205-5885

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How long does it take to receive a replacement title in Massachusetts?

It may take up to 10 business days to receive your duplicate title in the mail.

When do you need a replacement title?

You need a car title to prove or

transfer its ownership

. If you move to another state or sell your car, the title must be transferred to the new jurisdiction or owner—that’s why the title is one of the most important documents associated with your car.

You must apply for a replacement title if your title is:

Misplaced

Stolen

Damaged or mutilated (include the

damaged title

with the application form)

Illegible

Altered

Never received from the DMV

Key takeaway: The title is important! Make sure you keep it in a safe place you can access easily.

MORE:

How to insure a car with a salvage title

Finding insurance for your vehicle

After you’ve successfully requested your replacement title, you may want to take a moment to make sure you’re getting the lowest rate on your car insurance. With

Jerry

, saving money on car expenses has never been easier.

Jerry is a

licensed insurance broker

—and an app! All you need to do is download the free app, answer a few simple questions, and in just 45 seconds Jerry finds you the most competitive

car insurance quotes

from over 50 top-rated insurance agencies.

“I moved states recently and my old provider didn’t cover me anymore, so I tried using
Jerry
. They handled everything from fetching the quotes to purchasing the new policy. Now I save $30 a month with Progressive!” —Kay J.

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