When you buy a car from out of state and are looking to register it in Connecticut, you’ll need to complete a Connecticut Registration and Title Application form, and bring the out-of-state title, bill of sale, and vehicle registration certificate to the DMV so that you can complete a title transfer.

Purchasing a vehicle in another state requires a little more paperwork and a few extra steps, but it can be done. Just be sure that you are in possession of all the necessary documents in order to register your new car in Connecticut—like the original certificate of title.

Jerry

has put together a guide for navigating the process of buying a car in Connecticut from out of state. We’ll also clarify how to transfer your car’s out-of-state title if you’re a new Connecticut resident.

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How to buy a car out of state as a Connecticut resident

Maybe you just saw the car of your dreams for sale online a few states away. If you live in Connecticut and purchase a car out of state, make sure you obtain all the necessary legal documents during the buying process.

The law requires Connecticut residents to register any vehicles they purchase and plan to drive. Likewise, individuals who move to Connecticut from out of state and want to take their vehicle along will have 90 days to establish residency and register their car. Registering your car in Connecticut will involve paying state taxes.

To start, fill out the Connecticut Registration and Title Application (

Form H13B

). You will need to bring this form to the Connecticut DMV.

In addition to an H-13B, you’ll need to have the following documents when you arrive at the DMV:

Original Certificate of title for the out-of-state vehicle

Completed Bill of Sale

Proof of Connecticut residency

Proof of insurance

VIN verification report or proof of a

passed Connecticut emissions test

$120 registration fee

$25 title transfer fee

If you’re leasing a vehicle from out of state, you’ll also need to bring a completed Power of Attorney (POA) form that details the leasing company’s licensing information. The leasing company will be able to give you this form. Only the original version of the POA form will be accepted.

It’s the lienholder’s responsibility to send the out-of-state Certificate of Title to the Connecticut DMV. Your leased vehicle cannot be registered without the original title. You can formally request the leasing company to send the title using this

title request form

After that, you’ll receive

license plates

and be legally registered. Your title will be mailed to your home address within 30 days.

MORE: Title transfer in Connecticut

How to buy a car in Connecticut if you live out of state

If you don’t live in Connecticut but have your sights set on buying a car there, the process works almost the same way. After purchasing the vehicle, make sure you have the crucial documents:

Original Certificate of Title

Bill of Sale (depending on the state you live in, this document may need to be notarized)

Licensing information of the out-of-state leasing company required by your home state (if your new car is a lease)

Your home state will have its own Vehicle Registration and Title Application which you’ll also be required to complete and bring to the DMV. You will also be expected to pay a registration fee and car taxes in the amounts designated by the laws in your state.

What if I don’t have a physical title?

A Certificate of Title proves ownership of the vehicle and is pretty much non-negotiable if you want to register your vehicle in Connecticut.

One exception to this law is if your car is more than 20 years old. Vehicles of this age are not legally required to have titles, but if you want to register a newer vehicle, the title is physically necessary.

In cases where your vehicle has a lien, you are responsible for contacting the lienholder to let them know that they need to mail the certificate of title to the Connecticut DMV. Titles that need to be mailed to Connecticut’s DMV can be sent to:

State of Connecticut

Department of Motor Vehicles, Room 305

Title Section

60 State Street

Wethersfield CT 06161

While you’re waiting for the title of a leased vehicle to be mailed by the lienholder and processed by the Connecticut DMV, you can obtain what’s known as a courtesy registration. This temporary registration is valid for up to six months while your permanent registration is being finalized.

In order to qualify for a courtesy registration in Connecticut, you must submit a copy of the front and back of the title. Keep in mind that a courtesy registration comes with some strings attached in the form of fees. Typically, the cost of a courtesy registration is 25% of the base registration fee.

MORE:

How to notarize a car title

Tips for buying a vehicle out of state

We understand the allure of buying a car out of state. Thanks to the internet, car buyers have a wider selection of vehicles available to them and there are definitely good deals out there. But, there are bad deals out there too, so to avoid making an out-of-state

car purchase you regret

, here are a few rules of thumb:

Find out where this car came from. Sounds complicated? It’s so not—websites like

CARFAX

will give you a free vehicle history report about the car in question so you can find out if it’s been in an accident or if it’s been reported stolen.

Don’t leave without the proper paperwork. If you’re not getting the vehicle through a leasing company or dealership, make sure you procure all the documents you’ll need to bring to the Connecticut DMV before you leave the state where you’re buying the car.

Schedule an emissions test ASAP. If the vehicle you’re buying is more than four years old, you’ll need to take it in for an emission test in Connecticut—not the state you bought it in. Emissions tests cost around $20.

For new vehicles, schedule a VIN verification. Cars bought out of state that are less than four years old don’t need an emissions test, but they do require an official VIN verification. Get the details on VIN verification testing through the

Connecticut DMV website

Purchase car insurance ahead of time. You just bought the car, but that doesn't mean you can drive it back to Connecticut without insurance. Be sure to buy a policy for your new vehicle that adheres to

Connecticut’s minimum insurance requirements

MORE:

What kind of car insurance do I need?

How to save on car insurance in Connecticut

Once your car is registered in Connecticut you’re good to go! But wait—are you confident that the

car insurance

you bought for your out-of-state vehicle was the best deal you could get?

If you want to avoid overpaying for your policy, download

Jerry

, the

trustworthy insurance broker super app

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Signing up for Jerry’s app is free and in a matter of minutes, you could end up saving more than $800 per year on your new policy!

“After I bought my new car, the insurance companies tried charging me $315/month.
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