The Rhode Island Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9) is the form you use to ask the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles (RI DMV) for a replacement, or “duplicate,” certificate of title when your original title is lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged. There is no separate “duplicate-only” form in Rhode Island. You use the same Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9), check the Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss box, and pay one flat fee. The version current at the time of writing is marked rev. 11/2025 in the bottom corner, so check that date before you start.
Losing a title feels stressful, especially when you need it to sell, refinance, or transfer your car. The good news is that the process is simple once you know which boxes to check and which extra paper to bring. The single biggest reason these applications get rejected is a missing Release of Lien, and the second is a missing notary signature. This guide walks you through every field, every fee, and every trap so your duplicate arrives without a second trip to Cranston.
Here is what you will learn in this guide:
- 📋 Exactly which sections (A through I) of the TR-2/TR-9 you must complete for a duplicate
- 🖊️ How to fill in each box with the right format, in plain language
- 💰 The current $53.50 fee, accepted payment methods, and where to send it
- 🏦 How to handle a lien, even one that was paid off years ago
- ⚠️ The most common mistakes that delay your title and how to dodge them
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
The TR-2/TR-9 is Rhode Island’s master title application. The same form handles new titles, salvage titles, corrections, refinancing, adding or removing an owner, and duplicates. For a duplicate, you are telling the RI DMV Research and Title Office that your original paper title no longer exists or can no longer be read, and you are asking them to print a new one.
Only certain people may file. The form’s own Duplicate Title Instructions state that only the owner(s) or lien holder listed on the original certificate of title may apply for a duplicate title. If you bought the car but never put the title in your name, you cannot get a duplicate, because the state has no record of you as the owner. You must first title the car in your name using a regular title transaction.
There is also a hard rule about which vehicles qualify. The RI DMV states that duplicate titles can only be issued to active Rhode Island titled vehicles. If your car was last titled in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or any other state, Rhode Island cannot issue you a duplicate. You must contact that state’s motor vehicle agency instead. Rhode Island only replaces titles it issued itself.
The law behind this lives in Rhode Island’s vehicle title statute, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 31-3.1, which governs how the state issues and replaces certificates of title. The plain meaning is that the certificate of title is the legal proof of who owns the car. If you ignore a missing title and try to sell without one, the buyer cannot register the car, and the sale can fall apart. A real example: Marcus sold his truck for cash, handed over no title, and the buyer could not register it, so Marcus had to refund the money and apply for a duplicate first. The common misconception is that the registration proves ownership. It does not. Only the title transfers ownership.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Walking into the Cranston DMV missing one item means a wasted trip, and mailing an incomplete packet means weeks of delay while the office writes back to you.
- Your valid photo ID. You need a valid U.S., U.S. territory, or Canadian driver’s license or state ID with photo, signature, and date of birth (not expired more than one year). Without it, the office cannot confirm you are the listed owner.
- The vehicle identification number (VIN). This 17-character code ties your request to the right car. A wrong VIN pulls the wrong record and your duplicate is rejected.
- Year, make, model, and body type of the vehicle. These confirm the record matches. Missing details slow the Research Office search.
- Current odometer reading. Federal law requires an odometer disclosure on title work. Leaving it blank stops processing.
- The original Release of Lien, if the car ever had a loan. This is the number-one rejected item, covered in detail below.
- Proof of residency, if applying in person. A utility bill, bank statement, or pay stub dated within 60 days, in your name and address, with no P.O. box.
- The $53.50 fee. By check or money order if mailing; cash, check, money order, or card in person. Wrong amount means the packet bounces back.
- A notary public. Your signature must be notarized, so do not sign until you are in front of a notary. An un-notarized form is automatically refused.
- A self-addressed stamped envelope, only if you want the title mailed out of state. Without it, an out-of-state mailing request stalls.
- The illegible or mutilated title itself, if that is your reason. The form requires you to attach the damaged title with an explanation.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download the Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9) directly from the RI DMV Title Forms page as a free PDF. Print it single-sided if you can, because the form continues on the back and the office reads both sides. Do not use an old copy you saved years ago, because field layouts change; confirm the rev. 11/2025 date in the corner.
You may also pick up a paper copy in person at the DMV headquarters in Cranston. The RI DMV Titles page confirms that duplicate titles are processed at the DMV Headquarters in Cranston only, so the Research Office there can also help you document the vehicle’s information if your records are thin. The address is 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920.
Do not rely on third-party “fill it out online” websites. Some charge a fee and still produce a form you must print, sign, and notarize anyway. Rhode Island does not offer a true online filing channel for duplicate titles, so any site promising an instant online duplicate is misleading. The official PDF is free, and the official process is paper-based.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out the TR-2/TR-9 Line by Line
For a duplicate title, the form tells you exactly which sections to complete: A, B, C, D, E, F, and I. Work through them in order. Sections G and H apply only to dealerships and salvage titles, so most private owners skip them.
Transaction Type Box: Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss
This is the checkbox at the top that tells the DMV what you want. In plain English, it asks, “What kind of title work is this?” Check the box labeled DUPLICATE TITLE/AFFIDAVIT OF LOSS, which also lists the sections to complete (A, B, C, D, E, F, I). For example, Maria Lopez checks the “Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss” box and ignores the New Title, Salvage, and Correction boxes. If you are also fixing an error like a misspelled name at the same time, you may need a separate Correction transaction, so call the Research Office first. The most common mistake here is checking nothing or checking “New Title,” which routes your packet to the wrong queue and triggers a rejection letter. A frequent misconception is that “Affidavit of Loss” is a different form; it is not, it is this very box.
Section A: Name of Person Submitting Documents
This section asks who is physically handing in or mailing the paperwork. Print your full name in PRINTED NAME, sign in SIGNATURE, and fill in your ID number under LICENSE # & STATE / PASSPORT # / PHOTO ID #. If someone is submitting on your behalf, they list themselves and note AGENT OF with your name. For example, Maria Lopez prints “MARIA LOPEZ,” signs, and writes her RI license number “1234567” with “RI.” If you mail the packet yourself, you are still the person submitting, so complete this section. A common mistake is leaving the ID number blank, which stops the office from matching you to the record. The misconception is that Section A is only for agents or lawyers; in fact every filer completes it.
Section B: Owner’s Information
This section asks who owns the car as listed on the original title. Enter the PRIMARY OWNER’S LAST NAME, FIRST NAME, MIDDLE NAME, SUFFIX, DATE OF BIRTH (MM/DD/YY), TELEPHONE, EMAIL ADDRESS, and full RESIDENCE ADDRESS, plus the PRIMARY OWNER DL #/R.I. ID #/CID #. Write the name exactly as it appears on the original title. For example, James R. Carter Jr. writes “CARTER” as last name, “JAMES” first, “R” middle, “JR” suffix, and “03/14/85” as date of birth. If the title lists two owners, complete the secondary owner block too. The big nuance: dealerships must never put their own address here on a duplicate, only the owner’s address. A common mistake is using a nickname or married name that does not match the original title, which causes a name-mismatch hold. The misconception is that close enough is fine; the DMV needs an exact match.
Section C: Vehicle Information
This section asks for the full description of the car. Complete every field: VIN, YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, BODY TYPE, GROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT, COLOR, # OF CYLINDERS, NUMBER OF SEAT BELTS, and FUEL TYPE (check only one of gas, hybrid, electric, diesel, or CNG/LPG). For example, for her 2018 Honda Civic, Maria writes the 17-digit VIN, “2018,” “HONDA,” “CIVIC,” “SEDAN,” and checks “GAS.” If the car is a motorcycle, moped, trailer, or camper, fill the extra boxes for engine size, length, or carrying capacity. The most common mistake is a single wrong VIN digit, which pulls the wrong vehicle and voids the request. The misconception is that the year or make alone identifies the car; the VIN is what the DMV actually searches.
Section D: Odometer Disclosure Statement
This section asks for the car’s current mileage. Write the reading with no tenths in the blank, then print and sign your name below it. If the true reading is past the odometer’s mechanical limit or you know it is not accurate, check the matching warning box. For example, Maria writes “62,418” miles, prints “MARIA LOPEZ,” and signs. The nuance: a vehicle ten model years or older may be exempt from federal odometer rules, but the DMV still wants the field filled. A common mistake is rounding or adding a decimal, which conflicts with the printed record and flags a discrepancy. The misconception is that odometer disclosure only matters when selling; it is required on title work too.
Section E: Lien Information
This section asks whether the car currently has a loan against it. Complete it only if there is a current vehicle loan: enter the FIRST LIEN HOLDER’S NAME, DATE OF LIEN, and full LIEN HOLDER’S ADDRESS. For example, if Maria still owes money to Navigant Credit Union, she writes “NAVIGANT CREDIT UNION,” the lien date, and the lender’s address. If you have no current loan, leave this section blank, but read Section F carefully, because a paid-off loan still triggers a release requirement. The big mistake is listing an old, satisfied lien here as if it were current, which sends your new title to a lender who no longer holds it. The misconception is that Section E covers past loans; it covers only loans that are open right now.
Section F: Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss
This is the heart of the duplicate application. It asks why you need a replacement. Check exactly one reason: LOST, STOLEN, DESTROYED, or ILLEGIBLE/MUTILATED. For example, Maria checks “LOST” because she cannot find her title after moving. Read the bold warning on this section closely: if the vehicle has ever had a loan, regardless of whether the loan has been satisfied, you must obtain an original Release of Lien from your financial institution before submitting your request for a duplicate title. If your title is illegible or mutilated, you must attach that damaged title with a written explanation. The most common mistake is checking no reason at all, which makes the affidavit invalid. The misconception is that a paid-off loan needs nothing extra; in Rhode Island it always needs that original release.
Section I: Signature and Notarization
This section is where you swear the form is true and get it notarized. Print the PRINTED NAME OF OWNER, sign under SIGNATURE OF REGISTERED OWNER, and date it. If the original title listed more than one owner, all owners must sign. Then the notary completes the NOTARY PRINTED NAME, NOTARY PUBLIC SIGNATURE, COMMISSION EXPIRATION DATE (MANDATORY), and date. For example, Maria signs in front of a notary, who stamps the form in ink and prints both name and commission expiration. The form warns that for a Rhode Island notary the stamp must be ink and not embossed. The biggest mistake is signing at home before seeing the notary, which voids the notarization. The misconception is that a notary signature alone is enough; the printed name and commission expiration date are also mandatory, and if either is omitted the application will not be accepted.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
These three walkthroughs show how different owners complete the same TR-2/TR-9 for a duplicate.
Scenario 1: Maria Lopez, paid-off car, lost title
| Form Section | What Maria Enters |
|---|---|
| Transaction box | Checks Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss |
| Section A | Prints and signs her name; RI license 1234567 RI |
| Section B | LOPEZ, MARIA, DOB 03/14/85, Cranston address |
| Section C | VIN, 2018 HONDA CIVIC SEDAN, GAS |
| Section D | Odometer 62,418, printed name, signature |
| Section E | Left blank (no current loan) |
| Section F | Checks LOST |
| Lien release | Attaches original Release of Lien from her old auto loan |
| Section I | Signs before a notary; notary stamps in ink |
| Fee | $53.50 check payable to RI DMV |
Scenario 2: James Carter, active loan, lender applies
| Form Section | What James/Lender Enters |
|---|---|
| Transaction box | Checks Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss |
| Section A | Lender’s agent prints name, notes Agent of James Carter |
| Section B | CARTER, JAMES R JR, full address |
| Section C | VIN, 2022 FORD F-150 PICKUP, GAS |
| Section D | Odometer 18,002, signed |
| Section E | Lienholder name, lien date, lender address (current loan) |
| Section F | Checks STOLEN |
| Mailing | Title mailed to the lien holder, not the owner |
| Section I | James signs; notarized with ink stamp |
| Fee | $53.50 paid to RI DMV |
Scenario 3: Aisha Bryant, out-of-state titled car
| Form Section | What Aisha Learns |
|---|---|
| Vehicle status | Car last titled in Massachusetts |
| Eligibility | RI duplicates issue only to active RI titled vehicles |
| RI action | RI DMV cannot issue her a duplicate |
| Correct step | Contact Massachusetts RMV for the replacement |
| If moving to RI | First title the car in RI using TR-1 and pay sales tax |
| VIN check | Out-of-state used car needs a police VIN inspection |
| Proof | Bring the assigned out-of-state title or proof of ownership |
| Form | Uses TR-2/TR-9 only after RI titling, not for a duplicate |
| Residency | Must show RI proof of residency |
| Fee | $53.50 for the RI title once eligible |
How to File the Completed Form
You have two ways to file a duplicate title application in Rhode Island, and both go to the same place.
In person at Cranston DMV. Bring the notarized form, your ID, the Release of Lien (if any), and payment to the Research and Title Office, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Accepted payment includes cash, check, money order, or card. In-person processing is the fastest route, often a week or two. Keep your stamped copy or receipt as proof of filing.
By mail. Send the notarized form, copies of your ID, the original Release of Lien (if applicable), and a check or money order for $53.50 payable to RI DMV to the same Cranston address. Mailed requests take longer, commonly three to six weeks. Use tracked mail and keep the tracking number and a photocopy of your full packet as proof.
There is also a drop box at the Cranston DMV available Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., if you prefer to leave the packet without waiting in line. The duplicate title is then mailed to the owner, or to the lien holder if a current lien exists. If you want the title sent out of state, you must include a self-addressed stamped envelope. The official fee is confirmed on the RI DMV Registration and Title Fees page.
What Happens After You File
After you file, the Research Office matches your application to the vehicle record on file. If everything lines up and the form is complete, the office prints a new certificate of title and mails it. In-person filings usually produce a title in a couple of weeks, while mailed filings can take three to six weeks.
The new title may carry a small note about the rights of any person under the original certificate, because the form warns that a duplicate certificate may be subject to the rights of a person under the original certificate of title. In plain terms, if someone else holds a legal claim tied to the old title, that claim can follow the new one. This protects lenders and co-owners from being erased by a duplicate.
If your packet is missing a notary stamp, a lien release, the fee, or a signature, the office mails it back or holds it. That restarts your clock. This is why a careful first submission saves weeks. If you have not heard back in the expected window, call the Research Section at 401-462-5774 with your VIN ready.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
- Forgetting the original Release of Lien on a car that ever had a loan; the application is rejected outright.
- Signing the form before reaching the notary; the notarization is void and the packet is refused.
- Leaving the notary commission expiration date blank; the form states it will not be accepted.
- Using a married name or nickname that does not match the original title; a name-mismatch hold stops processing.
- Entering one wrong VIN digit; the DMV pulls the wrong record and cannot issue the title.
- Checking the wrong transaction box, like “New Title”; your packet is routed incorrectly and bounced.
- Failing to check a reason in Section F; the affidavit of loss is invalid without it.
- Listing a paid-off loan in Section E as if it were current; the title is mailed to the wrong lender.
- Paying the wrong fee amount; anything other than $53.50 is returned.
- A dealership using its own address instead of the owner’s; the form bars this on duplicates.
- Applying for a car titled in another state; Rhode Island cannot issue a duplicate for it.
- Adding decimals or tenths to the odometer reading; it conflicts with the record and flags a discrepancy.
- Forgetting the self-addressed stamped envelope for an out-of-state mailing; the request stalls.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do confirm the rev. 11/2025 date on the form, because old layouts cause confusion at the counter.
- Do match your name exactly to the original title, since the DMV cross-checks the record.
- Do bring an original Release of Lien for any car that ever had a loan, because it is the top rejection cause.
- Do sign only in front of a notary, so your notarization is valid.
- Do keep a full photocopy and tracking number, because that is your proof of filing.
- Do call 401-462-5774 if your vehicle records are thin, since the Research Office can help document the car.
Don’t:
- Don’t pay a third-party site for an “online duplicate,” because Rhode Island has no true online channel.
- Don’t use a P.O. box on proof of residency, since the DMV requires a physical address.
- Don’t leave the odometer blank, because federal disclosure rules stop the process.
- Don’t assume registration proves ownership, since only the title transfers it.
- Don’t mail cash, because lost cash cannot be traced or refunded.
- Don’t skip the second owner’s signature, because all listed owners must sign.
Paper Filing on Your Own vs. Using Help
Pros of filing on your own:
- Lower cost, because you pay only the $53.50 state fee and no service markup.
- Full control over your information, so nothing is mistyped by a stranger.
- Faster if you live near Cranston, since you can walk it in yourself.
- You learn the process, which helps for future title work.
- No waiting on a third party’s schedule, so you set the pace.
Cons of filing on your own:
- You must find your own notary, which adds a step.
- Mistakes are on you, and a rejected packet costs weeks.
- The Cranston-only rule means travel if you live far away.
- Lien release rules confuse many first-timers, leading to delays.
- No one double-checks your VIN or name match before submission.
Pros of using help (AAA, attorney, or dealer):
- A pro catches lien and name errors before they cause rejection.
- Some providers, like AAA Rhode Island, offer registry services that save a trip.
- Helpful when you are out of state or the owner is unavailable.
- Notarization may be handled in one place.
- Less stress when records are complicated.
Cons of using help:
- You pay an extra service fee on top of the state fee.
- You share personal details with a third party.
- A dealer cannot use its address on your duplicate, limiting some shortcuts.
- You depend on the provider’s hours and turnaround.
- You still must sign and may still need to appear for notarization.
Two Things People Mix Up: TR-1 vs. TR-2/TR-9
| TR-1 (Application for Registration and Title) | TR-2/TR-9 (Application for Title) |
|---|---|
| Used to register and first-title a vehicle you bought | Used for duplicates, corrections, salvage, and refinancing |
| Often filed with a sales tax form at purchase | Filed alone for a duplicate, with the Duplicate box checked |
| Establishes you as a new owner | Replaces or amends a title you already hold |
| Required for an out-of-state vehicle entering RI | Required when your existing RI title is lost or damaged |
FAQs
Do I use a special “duplicate title” form in Rhode Island?
No. You use the standard Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9) and check the Duplicate Title/Affidavit of Loss box. Rhode Island has no separate duplicate-only form.
Is the duplicate title fee really $53.50?
Yes. The official RI DMV fee table lists $53.50 for a duplicate title, payable to RI DMV. Older third-party sites may show $51.50 or $52.50, but $53.50 is current.
Do I check “Lost” or “Stolen” in Section F if I just misplaced it?
Yes. Check “Lost” when you simply cannot find it. Reserve “Stolen” for a title taken in a theft, since that wording may prompt extra review.
Do I need a Release of Lien if my loan is fully paid off?
Yes. If the car ever had a loan, even one paid years ago, you must attach an original Release of Lien with original signatures before the duplicate can be issued.
Do I fill out Section E if I no longer owe money on the car?
No. Leave Section E blank when there is no current loan, but you still must provide a Release of Lien for any loan the car ever had.
Do both owners have to sign if two names are on the title?
Yes. If the original title lists more than one owner, all listed owners must sign the duplicate application, or it will be rejected.
Do I write my odometer reading with tenths in Section D?
No. Write whole miles only, with no tenths. Adding a decimal conflicts with the record and can flag an odometer discrepancy.
Can I apply for a duplicate at any Rhode Island DMV branch?
No. Duplicate titles are processed only at the DMV Headquarters in Cranston, either in person, by mail, or through the Cranston drop box.
Can I get a Rhode Island duplicate for a car titled in another state?
No. Rhode Island issues duplicates only for active RI titled vehicles. For an out-of-state title, contact that state’s motor vehicle agency.
Does my signature on the form need to be notarized?
Yes. Owner signatures must be notarized, and the notary’s printed name and commission expiration date are mandatory, or the application is refused.
Can a car dealership put its own address on my duplicate application?
No. The form bars dealerships from using their address or any address other than the owner’s on a duplicate request.
Can someone else submit the application for me?
Yes. An agent may submit the documents and complete Section A as your agent, but you, the owner, still must sign Section I before a notary.
Does the registration count as proof I own the car?
No. Registration only lets you drive the car legally. Only the certificate of title proves ownership and is needed to sell or transfer it.
Can I file the duplicate application online in Rhode Island?
No. Rhode Island has no online channel for duplicate titles. You must file in person, by mail, or via the Cranston drop box.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Hawaii County Application for Duplicate Title (Form VRL-MVR503) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out North Dakota DOT Application for Duplicate Title + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Rhode Island DMV Application for Certificate of Title (Form TR-1) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Rhode Island DMV Vehicle Registration Application (TR-1) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out South Dakota DMV Application for Duplicate Title + FAQs
- How to Fill Out West Virginia DMV Application for Duplicate Title + FAQs
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