How to Fill Out Connecticut DMV Vehicle Registration Application + FAQs

The Connecticut Registration and Title Application, known as Form H-13B (Rev. 3-2021), is the form you use to register a vehicle and apply for its title with the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles. Any person who owns, buys, leases, or brings a motor vehicle into Connecticut must complete this form before that vehicle can legally hit the road.

Getting even one box wrong on this form can stall your registration, leave your car parked in the driveway, or force a second trip to the DMV. Connecticut gives new residents and out-of-state buyers a 90-day window to register, and the DMV processes hundreds of thousands of these applications each year, so a clean, accurate H-13B is your fastest path to plates.

Here is what you will learn in this guide:

• 📝 How to fill out every section of Form H-13B, line by line, in plain English.
• 📂 The exact documents and ID you must gather before you start.
• 🚗 Three real-world walkthroughs for new residents, financed cars, and leased vehicles.
• 💰 The fees, taxes, and penalties tied to each part of the form.
• ⚠️ The most common mistakes that get applications rejected and how to dodge them.

What the Form Is and Who Must File It

Form H-13B is the Connecticut Registration and Title Application, issued by the State of Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles at 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161. The form does two jobs at once. It registers your vehicle so you can drive it legally, and it applies for a Certificate of Title that proves you own it. The revision date printed in the top corner is REV. 3-2021, so check that you are using the current version from the official DMV forms page and not an outdated copy.

You must file this form if you buy a vehicle from a private seller, bring a vehicle into Connecticut as a new resident, lease a vehicle, or need to title a car already in your name. Connecticut law under Title 14 of the General Statutes requires every motor vehicle operated on public roads to be registered. The agency that receives the form is the DMV, the deadline is generally 90 days from purchase or from establishing residency, and the penalty for driving an unregistered vehicle can include fines and the inability to legally operate the car.

Dealers usually complete and submit the H-13B for you when you buy from a licensed Connecticut dealership. You fill it out yourself when you buy from a private party, move into the state with an out-of-state car, or handle a lease or gift transfer. Knowing which path applies to you decides how much of the form you complete and what proof you bring.

Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need

Gathering your paperwork first saves you from a wasted DMV trip, because a missing document means the clerk cannot finish your transaction. Connecticut registration can only be done in person at a DMV office by appointment, so every piece must be in hand before you book your slot. Here is your pre-filing checklist:

• Proof of ownership (original title). The DMV requires the original Certificate of Title; without it your application cannot be processed, though a lienholder situation has a workaround described below.
• Acceptable identification. You need a valid ID that meets the DMV’s acceptable ID standards; a missing or expired ID stops the transaction cold.
• Proof of insurance. Your policy must meet Connecticut’s minimum liability limits, and no proof means no plates.
• Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). The technician gives you this at your emissions test or VIN verification, and the DMV will not register the car without it.
• Payment for all fees. Bring enough to cover registration, title, plate, and sales or use tax, because partial payment leaves you unregistered.
• Emissions test or VIN verification. Cars four model years old or older need an emissions test; newer ones need a VIN verification.
• Bill of sale. This sets your purchase price, which the DMV uses to calculate the 6.35% sales or use tax.
• Lienholder or leasing company information. If you financed or leased, you need the lienholder name and address and an original power of attorney for leases.

If your title is held by a lienholder, you must contact your lienholder and ask them to mail the original title to the DMV at the Record Updates address. After you get confirmation, allow five business days for the system to update before your appointment.

Where to Get the Form and How to Access It

You download Form H-13B directly from the Connecticut DMV forms page, where it is listed as “Application for registration and title.” The DMV recommends you download the form, fill it out online, then print it to bring with you. You can also pick up a paper copy at any DMV branch office.

The official H-13B PDF is a fillable document, so you can type your answers on a computer before printing, which cuts down on handwriting errors. The instructions at the top tell you to print using a black or blue pen and to fill out only the applicable sections of the form, since not every box applies to every filer. Typing first and printing second is the safest route because clerks reject forms they cannot read.

Avoid third-party websites that charge a fee to “file” your H-13B. The form itself is free, and Connecticut requires you to appear in person, so no outside service can register the car for you. Always start from the official portal.ct.gov address to be sure you have the genuine REV. 3-2021 version.

Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form H-13B Line by Line

The H-13B groups its boxes into owner information, vehicle information, tax and exemption details, lienholder or lessor sections, and the signature block. Work through each part in order, and fill only the boxes that apply to your situation.

Owner Name and Identification

This section asks for the full legal name of the person or business who will own and register the vehicle. Print your first name, middle initial, and last name exactly as they appear on your driver’s license and your title, then enter your Connecticut driver’s license or identification number. For example, Maria Gonzalez prints her name as GONZALEZ, MARIA and writes her license number 123456789 in the operator number box.

A common edge case is co-ownership, where two people share the vehicle. List both owners and note whether ownership is “and” (both must sign to sell) or “or” (either can sell). A frequent mistake here is using a nickname or a name that does not match your license, which triggers a hold because the DMV cross-checks your identity against its records. Many filers wrongly believe the name on the registration can differ from the name on the title, but the names must match or the title will not transfer.

Residence and Mailing Address

This box asks where you live in Connecticut and where you want your mail sent. Enter your physical street address, town, and ZIP code on the residence line, and your mailing address only if it differs. For example, David Chen writes his home address 48 Maple Street, New Haven, CT 06511 and leaves the mailing line blank because it is the same.

If you use a P.O. Box, you still must list a physical residence address, because Connecticut ties your registration to your town for property tax purposes. A common mistake is listing an old out-of-state address, which can route your plates and tax bill to the wrong place and delay everything. People often think a P.O. Box alone is enough, but the DMV needs your real town to assign the correct tax jurisdiction.

Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

This field asks for the 17-character VIN stamped on your vehicle. Copy it exactly, character by character, from the dashboard plate or the door jamb, using all capital letters and including every letter and number. For example, James Okafor enters 1HGCM82633A004352 without spaces or dashes.

Watch for look-alike characters, because the VIN never contains the letters I, O, or Q to avoid confusion with the numbers 1 and 0. A single wrong character is the most common rejection cause on this form, since it will not match the title or the VIR and the registration cannot be created. Some filers assume the VIN on their insurance card is good enough, but the DMV verifies it against the physical vehicle through the VIR, so it must be perfect.

Year, Make, Model, and Body Style

This grouping asks for the vehicle’s model year, manufacturer, model name, and body type. Enter the four-digit year, the make such as TOYOTA, the model such as CAMRY, and the body style such as 4-door sedan (4DSD). For example, Aisha Rahman writes 2019 / TOYOTA / CAMRY / 4DSD across these boxes.

For older or rebuilt vehicles, match these entries exactly to the title even if the model badge looks different, because the DMV records what the title states. A mistake here is guessing the body style code, which can misclassify your vehicle and affect your fee. People sometimes think the trim level (like LE or XLE) belongs in the model box, but the DMV only wants the base model name.

Fuel Type and Odometer Reading

This section asks what fuel the vehicle uses and the current mileage shown on the odometer. Check the box for gas, diesel, electric, hybrid, or other, then write the exact odometer number with no rounding. For example, Robert Mills checks Gas and records 84,217 miles.

Federal law requires an accurate odometer disclosure on title transfers, so enter the true reading and check “actual mileage” unless the odometer is broken or rolled over. A mistake here is rounding the mileage up or down, which creates a mismatch with the title’s odometer statement and can flag the transfer. Many people believe odometer disclosure is optional for older cars, but it is a federal and state requirement that protects you from fraud claims.

Purchase Price, Date of Purchase, and Sales or Use Tax

This part asks how much you paid, when you bought the vehicle, and computes the tax owed. Enter the purchase price from your bill of sale, the purchase date in MM/DD/YYYY format, and let the DMV apply Connecticut’s 6.35% sales or use tax (7.75% on vehicles over $50,000). For example, Maria Gonzalez enters a price of $15,000 and a date of 04/12/2026, owing about $952.50 in tax.

If the vehicle was a gift from an immediate family member, you may claim a tax exemption using the proper affidavit, so check the exemption box and attach the form. A common mistake is understating the price to lower the tax, which is fraud and can trigger an audit using the vehicle’s book value. People wrongly assume a low private-sale price always sets the tax, but the DMV can assess tax on the National Automobile Dealers Association value if your stated price looks too low.

Lienholder Information

This section asks whether a bank or finance company holds a loan against the vehicle. If you financed the purchase, enter the lienholder’s full legal name and mailing address so the DMV records the lien on the title. For example, David Chen writes Connecticut State Employees Credit Union, 1290 Silas Deane Hwy, Wethersfield, CT 06109.

If your lienholder holds the original title, you must have them mail it to the DMV first, or request a courtesy registration good for six months while the title is in transit. A mistake here is leaving the lienholder blank when you have a loan, which produces a clean title that your lender will dispute. Some buyers think the lien is the bank’s job to record, but you are responsible for listing it correctly on the H-13B.

Lessee and Lessor Information

This section applies only to leased vehicles and asks for both the leasing company (the owner) and the lessee (you, the driver). Enter the leasing company as the owner and yourself as the lessee, and attach an original power of attorney from the leasing company. For example, James Okafor lists Honda Lease Trust as lessor and himself as lessee, with the signed power of attorney clipped to the form.

The leasing company holds the title, so they must authorize you to register the car in Connecticut through that power of attorney document. A mistake here is bringing a photocopy of the power of attorney, which the DMV rejects because it requires the original. Many lessees assume the dealer handled the registration, but an out-of-state lease often requires you to file the H-13B yourself.

Insurance Certification

This box asks you to certify that the vehicle carries insurance meeting Connecticut’s minimum requirements. Check the box confirming coverage and be ready to show your insurance card or policy that meets the state minimum liability limits. For example, Aisha Rahman checks the insurance box and presents her policy showing 25/50/25 liability coverage.

Connecticut requires continuous insurance, and the DMV shares data with insurers to catch lapses. A mistake here is certifying insurance you do not actually have, which can lead to registration suspension and fines. People often think a binder or a quote counts, but you need an active policy in force on the registration date.

Signature and Penalty of False Statement

The final block asks you to sign and date the form under penalty of false statement. Sign your name in ink, write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format, and read the certification language above the line first. For example, Robert Mills signs Robert Mills and dates it 04/20/2026.

By signing, you swear every answer is true, and Connecticut law makes a false statement on this form a criminal offense. A mistake here is leaving the signature blank or having someone other than the owner sign, which voids the application. Many filers think they can sign for a spouse or relative, but only the listed owner or a person with proper power of attorney may sign.

Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios

Seeing the form completed end to end makes each section clearer. Below are three of the most common filer situations.

Scenario 1: Sofia, a New Resident with a Paid-Off Car

Sofia moved from Massachusetts to Hartford and brought her paid-off 2018 Honda Civic. She has 90 days from establishing residency to register it.

Form Section	What Sofia Enters
Owner Name	MARTINEZ, SOFIA
CT License Number	987654321
Residence Address	22 Asylum Ave, Hartford, CT 06103
VIN	2HGFC2F59JH500123
Year/Make/Model	2018 / HONDA / CIVIC
Fuel / Odometer	Gas / 61,400
Purchase Price / Tax	Owned prior — use tax may not apply
Lienholder	None (paid in full)
Signature	Sofia Martinez — 05/15/2026

Scenario 2: Marcus, Financing a Used Car

Marcus bought a 2021 Ford Escape from a private seller in Bridgeport using a credit union loan, so a lien must be recorded.

Form Section	What Marcus Enters
Owner Name	JOHNSON, MARCUS
Residence Address	15 Park St, Bridgeport, CT 06604
VIN	1FMCU9G67MUA12345
Year/Make/Model	2021 / FORD / ESCAPE
Fuel / Odometer	Gas / 38,902
Purchase Price / Date	$22,000 / 04/30/2026
Sales/Use Tax (6.35%)	$1,397.00
Lienholder	Nutmeg State FCU, Rocky Hill, CT
Signature	Marcus Johnson — 05/02/2026

Scenario 3: Priya, Registering a Leased Vehicle

Priya leases a 2024 Tesla Model 3 through a leasing company and must attach an original power of attorney.

Form Section	What Priya Enters
Lessor (Owner)	Tesla Lease Trust
Lessee	PATEL, PRIYA
Residence Address	9 Whitney Ave, New Haven, CT 06510
VIN	5YJ3E1EA8RF600789
Year/Make/Model	2024 / TESLA / MODEL 3
Fuel / Odometer	Electric / 4,150
Power of Attorney	Original attached
Insurance	Box checked, 25/50/25 policy
Signature	Priya Patel — 05/20/2026

How to File the Completed Form

Connecticut requires you to register a vehicle in person at a DMV office by appointment, so there is no full online or mail filing for a first-time registration. The steps run in a clear order, and skipping one sends you home empty-handed.

• In person at a DMV office (the main channel). Complete emissions testing or VIN verification first, gather all documents, then book an appointment through the DMV portal. Bring your printed H-13B, ID, proof of insurance, the VIR, proof of ownership, and payment. Processing happens at the counter, and you leave with plates and a registration that day.
• Through a licensed dealer. When you buy from a Connecticut dealer, the dealer typically completes and submits the H-13B for you and issues plates, so you may never file it yourself. Keep your copy of the paperwork as proof.
• By mail to the DMV for title documents only. If a lienholder holds your title, mail the notification form so they send the original title to State of Connecticut DMV, ATTN: Record Updates, 60 State Street, Wethersfield, CT 06161, then wait five business days before your appointment.

Accepted payment methods include cash, check, money order, and major credit or debit cards at the office, though card surcharges may apply. Keep your stamped registration and receipt as proof of filing, because they prove your car is legal until your permanent plates and title arrive by mail.

What Happens After You File

Once the DMV processes your H-13B, you receive your registration certificate and license plates at the counter the same day. Your Certificate of Title is mailed separately, usually within a few weeks, and if you have a lien the title is sent to your lienholder until the loan is paid.

The DMV enters your vehicle into the state system and notifies your town for property tax billing, so expect a motor vehicle tax bill from your municipality later. If anything was incomplete, the DMV may issue a temporary registration or a courtesy registration valid for six months while you supply the missing title or document. Keep every receipt, because you will need them if a billing or title question comes up.

Drive with your registration in the vehicle and your plates properly mounted right away. Connecticut cross-checks insurance data after registration, so keep your policy active to avoid a suspension notice.

Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form

Each field on the H-13B is a chance to slip up, and small errors cause real delays. Watch for these:

• Wrong VIN character. A single mismatched digit means the form will not match your title and the registration fails.
• Name that does not match your license. A nickname or misspelling triggers an identity hold and blocks the title transfer.
• Leaving the lienholder blank. Omitting a loan produces a clean title your lender will reject.
• Photocopied power of attorney for a lease. The DMV requires the original, so a copy gets you turned away.
• Understating the purchase price. The DMV can assess tax on book value and may treat it as fraud.
• Rounding the odometer reading. A mismatch with the title’s odometer statement flags the transfer.
• Using a P.O. Box as your only address. Missing a physical address misroutes your tax jurisdiction.
• Skipping emissions or VIN verification. No VIR means the DMV cannot process the registration.
• Certifying insurance you do not have. This leads to registration suspension and fines.
• Forgetting to sign or wrong signer. An unsigned or improperly signed form is void.
• Owing back property tax or parking tickets. Connecticut blocks registration until those are paid.
• Using an outdated form version. A form other than REV. 3-2021 may be rejected.

Do’s and Don’ts

Do:

• Do type the form and print it, because clean entries avoid clerk rejections.
• Do copy the VIN from the vehicle itself, since the insurance card can contain errors.
• Do bring the original title, as the DMV will not accept a copy.
• Do clear any property tax or parking debt first, because it blocks registration.
• Do schedule emissions or VIN verification before your appointment, so you have the VIR in hand.
• Do keep copies of everything, which protects you if a question arises later.

Don’t:

• Don’t understate your purchase price, because it invites a tax audit.
• Don’t sign for another owner, since only the listed owner may sign.
• Don’t drive before registering, as an unregistered vehicle draws fines.
• Don’t use a third-party paid filing site, because the form is free and you must appear in person.
• Don’t guess at body style codes, since a wrong code can change your fee.
• Don’t let your insurance lapse, because the DMV will suspend your registration.

Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help

Many filers wonder whether to handle the H-13B themselves or let a dealer or service do it.

Pros of filing on your own:

• You save money, because the form is free and you skip service fees.
• You control accuracy, since you check every box yourself.
• You learn the process, which helps with future registrations.
• You avoid dealer markups, which sometimes pad title and doc fees.
• You keep your own records, so nothing gets lost in a third party’s files.

Cons of filing on your own:

• You must appear in person, which costs you time at the DMV.
• You handle the lien and title logistics, which can be confusing.
• One error sends you back, because there is no clerk to pre-check at home.
• You manage emissions and VIN steps yourself, adding extra trips.
• You bear the deadline risk, since missing 90 days can mean penalties.

FAQs

Do I write my maiden name or married name in the owner box?

Yes — write the name exactly as it appears on your driver’s license and title; if they differ, update one first so both records match.

Do I need the original title to register, or is a copy okay?

No — a copy is not accepted; the DMV requires the original title, or you can request a six-month courtesy registration if a lienholder holds it.

Do I enter dashes or spaces in the VIN box?

No — enter all 17 characters in capital letters with no spaces or dashes, copied exactly from the vehicle.

Do I check “actual mileage” if my odometer rolled over?

No — if the odometer rolled past its limit or is broken, check “not actual mileage” or “exceeds limits” instead of “actual.”

Do I have to list my lienholder if I financed the car?

Yes — you must enter the lienholder’s name and address so the lien is recorded on the title; leaving it blank causes problems with your lender.

Do leased vehicles need a power of attorney?

Yes — you must attach an original power of attorney from the leasing company, because they own the vehicle and authorize your registration.

Do new residents really have only 90 days to register?

Yes — you have 90 days from establishing Connecticut residency to register, and missing it can lead to penalties.

Do I owe sales tax if the car was a gift?

No — gifts from immediate family members may be exempt from the 6.35% tax if you file the proper exemption affidavit.

Do I need an emissions test for a brand-new car?

No — vehicles newer than four model years are exempt from emissions testing but still need a VIN verification.

Do I have to register in person, or can I do it online?

No — first-time vehicle registration must be done in person at a DMV office by appointment.

Do I use a P.O. Box as my address on the form?

No — you must list a physical residence address for tax purposes, even if you add a P.O. Box for mail.

Do unpaid parking tickets or property taxes stop my registration?

Yes — Connecticut blocks your registration until any delinquent property tax, parking tickets, or suspensions are cleared.