The Vermont Duplicate Title Application (Form VT-04) is the one-page form a vehicle owner files with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles to replace a vehicle title that is lost, stolen, damaged, or destroyed. You file it when the original paper title is gone or unreadable, and you need a fresh copy to prove you own the vehicle.
A missing title is a small problem that turns into a big one fast. You cannot sell, donate, gift, or use your vehicle as loan collateral without a valid title in hand, and a single wrong box, a missing signature, or a highlighted document can bounce your whole request back to you. Vermont processes thousands of these requests each year, and the most common reason for delay is not a hard rule at all — it is a blank odometer line or one owner who forgot to sign.
Here is what you will walk away knowing:
- 📝 How to fill out every line of Form VT-04 the right way, the first time.
- 💵 The exact $42 fee, who you pay, and which payment methods the DMV accepts.
- 🚗 How to handle tricky cases like co-owners, active liens, and out-of-state vehicles.
- 📬 Every filing channel — in person, by mail, and at a DMV kiosk — with addresses and timelines.
- ⚠️ The top mistakes that get applications rejected and how to dodge each one.
What the Form Is and Who Must File It
Form VT-04 is the official Duplicate Title Application used by the Vermont DMV to issue a replacement Certificate of Title. A Certificate of Title is the legal document that proves who owns a vehicle. When the paper copy is lost, stolen, or damaged beyond reading, the state does not just hand you a new one — it requires this signed request so it can confirm you are the rightful owner before reissuing the document.
You must file this form if you are the registered owner, the legal owner, or an authorized representative with a signed Power of Attorney. If a vehicle has more than one owner listed on the title, every owner must sign the application. This rule exists because the title is a shared legal right, and the DMV will not reissue ownership proof on the word of just one co-owner.
The form is required under Vermont’s motor vehicle title law in Title 23 of the Vermont Statutes, which is administered by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles. The agency that receives the form is the Vermont DMV’s main office in Montpelier. The deadline is practical rather than fixed: there is no calendar due date, but you cannot legally transfer the vehicle until you hold a valid title, so most owners file the moment they notice the title is gone.
One key limit traps many filers. If your vehicle was last titled in another state, you cannot use Form VT-04 — you must request the duplicate from that other state’s DMV instead. Vermont can only reissue titles it originally created.
Before You Start: Documents and Information You Need
Gather everything below before you open the form. Walking into the DMV or sealing an envelope with a missing item is the number one cause of a wasted trip and a delayed title. Each piece of information feeds a specific box on Form VT-04, so having it ready means you fill the page out in one sitting.
- Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This 17-character code is how the DMV finds your record; a wrong digit pulls up the wrong vehicle or no vehicle at all.
- Year, make, and model of the vehicle. These confirm the VIN matches your car; a mismatch triggers a manual review.
- Current odometer reading. Federal law ties the title to the mileage; a blank odometer line is a frequent rejection cause.
- Your driver’s license or ID number. This links the application to you as the owner and proves your identity.
- License plate number. It helps the DMV match the vehicle to your active registration.
- Lienholder name and address (if any). If a bank or lender holds a lien, the new title gets mailed to them, not you.
- The damaged or mutilated title (if you still have it). Vermont asks you to surrender a damaged title so it can be voided.
- Power of Attorney (if filing for someone else). Without it, the DMV will not accept a signature from a non-owner.
Two more items round out the list. Keep a check or money order for the $42 fee ready if you file by mail, since the Montpelier office does not take cash through the mail. Also make clean photocopies of your license and registration if mailing — and never run a highlighter over them, because the Vermont DMV rejects highlighted documents outright.
Where to Get the Form and How to Access It
You can download Form VT-04 directly from the Vermont DMV titles page, which hosts the current official PDF. Always pull the form from the state’s own website rather than a third-party site, because outdated copies floating around the internet may use old fee amounts or missing fields that cause confusion at the counter.
The form is a single page and prints on standard letter paper. You can fill it out by hand in black or blue ink, or type your answers into the fillable PDF before printing. Typed entries are easier for DMV staff to read, which lowers the chance of a data-entry error on the state’s end.
If you would rather not download anything, you can pick up a paper copy at any Vermont DMV branch office or at a self-service DMV kiosk. Kiosks are placed in grocery stores and other public spots across the state, and several can process a duplicate title request on the spot. When you grab the form in person, ask the clerk to confirm you have the most recent revision so you are not working from a stale version with the wrong fee printed on it.
For questions before you start, the DMV’s Registration and License Information Unit answers at (802) 828-2000. Calling first can save a trip if your situation is unusual, such as an inherited vehicle or a title still held by an out-of-state lender.
Step-by-Step: How to Fill Out Form VT-04 Line by Line
Work through the form top to bottom in the order the fields appear. Use the exact box labels printed on Form VT-04, and write clearly — a smudged VIN or an unreadable name slows everything down. Below, each field gets its own walkthrough so nothing is left to guesswork.
1. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
This field asks for the 17-character code that uniquely identifies your vehicle. Copy it exactly from your registration card, your insurance card, or the metal plate on the driver’s-side dashboard near the windshield. Write every character in its own space, in all capital letters, with no spaces or dashes.
For example, Sarah Bennett enters 1HGCM82633A004352 in the VIN box, matching it letter-for-letter against her registration. A common edge case is older vehicles built before 1981, which may have a VIN shorter than 17 characters — in that case, write the full number exactly as it appears on the old title or registration, even if it is shorter. The most common mistake here is swapping the number zero for the letter O or the number one for the letter I, and the direct consequence is that the DMV either pulls up the wrong vehicle record or finds no match and returns your form. Many people believe the VIN on their key fob or a phone app is good enough, but the DMV only trusts the VIN that matches its own title record, so always copy it from an official document.
2. Year, Make, and Model
This section asks for the model year, the manufacturer, and the model name of your vehicle. Enter the four-digit year first, then the make, then the model, using the same wording shown on your registration. Spell out the make fully rather than using an abbreviation.
For instance, Sarah Bennett writes 2003 for the year, Honda for the make, and Accord for the model. An edge case appears with rebadged or specialty vehicles — if your registration lists an unusual make, copy that exact spelling rather than the brand you know it by. The common mistake is entering the wrong model year, often confusing the year you bought the car with the year it was built, and the consequence is a mismatch with the VIN that forces a manual hold. A frequent misconception is that the make and model are optional because the VIN already identifies the car, but the DMV cross-checks all three fields, so leaving them blank can stall the request.
3. License Plate Number
This field asks for the plate number currently assigned to the vehicle. Copy it exactly as it reads on your plate and your registration, including any letters and numbers in the right order. Use all capital letters and no spaces.
As an example, Marcus and Lena Powell, who co-own a truck, enter HDJ482 in the plate field straight from their registration card. The edge case here is a vehicle that is currently unregistered or has surrendered plates — if you have no active plate, leave the field blank and note the situation, since a duplicate title does not require active registration. The common mistake is guessing at the plate number from memory and transposing two characters, and the consequence is a slower match against your DMV record. People often think the plate number is the same as the VIN or the title number, but it is a separate identifier, so be sure you are copying the plate and not another code.
4. Owner Name(s)
This field asks for the full legal name of every person listed as an owner on the title. Write each name exactly as it appears on the existing title and your license — first, middle, and last. If the vehicle has two or more owners, list every one of them.
For example, Marcus Powell and Lena Powell both write their full legal names because both appear on the truck’s title. The key edge case is a name change since the title was issued: if you got married or divorced, you must update your name with the Social Security Administration and the DMV first, then apply, because Vermont requires name updates within 30 days. The common mistake is listing only one owner when the title shows two, and the consequence is an automatic rejection because every owner must be named and must sign. A widespread misconception is that a married couple counts as one owner, but each person is a separate legal owner and each name must appear.
5. Owner Address
This field asks for the mailing address where you want the new title sent. Enter your full street address, city, state, and ZIP code. Make sure this is an address where you can reliably receive mail, since the title arrives here unless a lien sends it elsewhere.
For instance, Sarah Bennett enters 48 Maple Ridge Road, Burlington, VT 05401 as her mailing address. A common edge case is using a P.O. Box — that is allowed for mailing, but list it only if you actually receive mail there, and add a physical address if the form provides space. The common mistake is writing an old address after a recent move, and the consequence is that your new title gets mailed to a place you no longer live, forcing you to reapply. People often assume the DMV will use the address on file from their registration, but the form mails the title to the address you write here, so double-check it.
6. Owner Identification Number
This field asks for your driver’s license number, state ID number, or other ID number that links you to the DMV record. Copy the number exactly from your Vermont license or ID card. Include any letters that are part of the number.
As an example, Sarah Bennett enters her Vermont license number exactly as printed on the front of her card. The edge case is an out-of-state license held by a Vermont vehicle owner — in that case, use the ID number from whatever government-issued ID you hold and be ready to show it. The common mistake is entering a number with a typo or using an expired ID number that no longer matches, and the consequence is a delay while the DMV verifies your identity by hand. A misconception is that the last four digits of your Social Security number go here, but this box wants your license or state ID number, not your SSN.
7. Odometer Reading
This field asks for the vehicle’s current mileage as shown on the dashboard. Read the number off the odometer and write the whole-mile figure, with no tenths and no commas. Round down to the last full mile if your odometer shows a fraction.
For example, Marcus Powell checks the truck’s dash and writes 112847 in the odometer box. The edge case is a broken or replaced odometer — if the reading is not the true mileage, you mark the box or note indicating the odometer is “not actual” or has exceeded mechanical limits, because federal law requires honest mileage disclosure. The common mistake is leaving this line blank because the field feels minor, and the consequence is a direct rejection, since a missing odometer reading is one of the top reasons Vermont returns these forms. Many people think mileage only matters when selling a car, but the DMV ties the title to the odometer at every issuance, so the reading is always required.
8. Lienholder Information
This field asks whether a bank, credit union, or lender holds a lien on the vehicle, and if so, for that lender’s name and address. If you have a car loan that is not paid off, the lienholder is listed here. If you own the vehicle free and clear, leave this section blank.
For instance, Devon Carter, who still owes on his SUV loan, enters Green Mountain Credit Union, 200 Bank Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 in the lienholder field. The important edge case is that the new title gets mailed to the lienholder, not to you, whenever an active lien exists, because the lender holds the title until the loan is paid. The common mistake is trying to add or remove a lien on this form, and the consequence is that the DMV cannot process it — you must instead use the Release a Lien (Form TA-VT-08) to remove one or the Adding a Lien (Form TA-VT-19) to add one. A frequent misconception is that paying off your loan automatically clears the lien on a duplicate title, but until the lender files a release, the lien stays and the title still goes to them.
9. Reason for Duplicate
This field asks why you need a replacement title — usually lost, stolen, damaged, destroyed, or mutilated. Check or write the reason that fits your situation. Be honest, because the reason can affect what you must attach.
As an example, Lena Powell marks damaged because the family’s title got water-stained and unreadable. The edge case is a damaged or mutilated title: Vermont asks you to surrender the old damaged title with the application so it can be voided, while a lost or stolen title obviously cannot be surrendered. The common mistake is checking “lost” when you actually still have a torn title, and the consequence is the DMV may ask you to send in the old copy anyway, adding a round trip. People often think the reason is just a formality, but it determines whether you owe an attachment, so pick the accurate one.
10. Owner Signature(s) and Date
This final field asks every owner to sign and date the form, certifying that the information is true. Sign in ink, and write the date in MM/DD/YYYY format. If there are co-owners, each one signs on their own line.
For example, Marcus Powell and Lena Powell each sign, and both write 06/06/2026 as the date. The edge case is filing on someone else’s behalf — a representative signs only if a valid Power of Attorney is attached, and the signature should note the representative capacity. The common mistake is one co-owner signing for both, and the consequence is an automatic rejection because forging or proxying another owner’s signature is not allowed. A misconception is that a typed or printed name counts as a signature, but the DMV requires an actual handwritten signature in ink to accept the form.
Three Filled-Out Examples Using Real Scenarios
Below are three common situations, each following one filer through the key sections of Form VT-04 from start to finish.
Scenario 1 — Sarah Bennett, single owner with a lost title. Sarah misplaced her title during a move and owns her 2003 Honda Accord outright with no loan.
| Form Section | What Sarah Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 1HGCM82633A004352 |
| Year / Make / Model | 2003 / Honda / Accord |
| License Plate Number | GBT119 |
| Owner Name | Sarah Ann Bennett |
| Owner Address | 48 Maple Ridge Road, Burlington, VT 05401 |
| Owner ID Number | Vermont license number as printed |
| Odometer Reading | 138204 |
| Lienholder | Left blank — owned free and clear |
| Reason for Duplicate | Lost |
| Signature / Date | Sarah signs in ink, dated 06/06/2026 |
Scenario 2 — Marcus and Lena Powell, co-owners with a damaged title. A pipe leak ruined their truck’s title, and both names appear on it. Both must sign.
| Form Section | What the Powells Enter |
|---|---|
| VIN | 3GTU2VEC4EG223145 |
| Year / Make / Model | 2014 / GMC / Sierra 1500 |
| License Plate Number | HDJ482 |
| Owner Names | Marcus Powell and Lena Powell |
| Owner Address | 17 Birchwood Lane, Rutland, VT 05701 |
| Odometer Reading | 112847 |
| Lienholder | Left blank — loan paid off |
| Reason for Duplicate | Damaged / mutilated |
| Attachment | The water-stained title, surrendered with the form |
| Signatures / Date | Both Marcus and Lena sign, dated 06/06/2026 |
Scenario 3 — Devon Carter, owner with an active lien. Devon’s title was never delivered because his lender holds it, and he needs a duplicate to confirm the record. The new title will go to the credit union.
| Form Section | What Devon Enters |
|---|---|
| VIN | 5J6RW2H89KL004821 |
| Year / Make / Model | 2019 / Honda / CR-V |
| License Plate Number | KPL736 |
| Owner Name | Devon Michael Carter |
| Owner Address | 92 Hillcrest Avenue, Montpelier, VT 05602 |
| Odometer Reading | 64310 |
| Lienholder | Green Mountain Credit Union, 200 Bank Street, Montpelier, VT 05602 |
| Reason for Duplicate | Lost |
| Where Title Is Mailed | To the lienholder, not to Devon |
| Signature / Date | Devon signs in ink, dated 06/06/2026 |
How to File the Completed Form
Vermont gives you three ways to submit Form VT-04, and the fee is $42 through every channel. Pick the one that fits your schedule, and keep proof of whatever you submit.
In person at a DMV branch. Bring the completed form, your proof of ID, and your payment to any Vermont DMV office. Branches accept cash, check, money order, and most debit or credit cards. Staff process the request on the spot, and the printed title is then mailed to you — or to your lienholder — in about one to two weeks. Keep your paid receipt as proof of filing.
By mail to the Montpelier office. Mail the signed form, photocopies of your license and registration, and a check or money order for $42 made out to the Vermont DMV to: Vermont DMV, 120 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05603. Do not mail cash. Use a trackable mailing method and keep a copy of the full packet, since the canceled check and tracking record are your proof of filing. The title arrives by mail in roughly one to two weeks.
At a DMV self-service kiosk. Kiosks placed in grocery stores and other spots across Vermont can process a duplicate title request when you enter the required information and pay by card. The kiosk prints a receipt — keep it as proof — and the title is mailed to you afterward. Kiosks are best for simple, single-owner cases without a lien, since they cannot handle Power of Attorney paperwork or surrendered damaged titles.
What Happens After You File
Once the DMV accepts your application and payment, it voids the old title in its system and prints a new Certificate of Title. The new document is then mailed to the address on your form, or to your lienholder if a loan is active. Most filers receive the title within one to two weeks, though peak periods can stretch that timeline.
When the new title arrives, the old one — if it ever turns up — is no longer valid. The duplicate carries the same legal weight as the original and can be used immediately to sell, gift, or register the vehicle. Store it somewhere safe and dry, because going through this process twice is avoidable.
If your title does not arrive within a few weeks, call the DMV’s Registration and License Information Unit at (802) 828-2000 to check the status. Have your VIN and application date ready so the clerk can find your record quickly. If the address on your form was wrong, you will likely need to reapply and pay the fee again, which is why double-checking the address before filing matters so much.
Mistakes to Avoid When Filling Out the Form
Each error below has stopped someone’s title in its tracks. Read them once so they do not happen to you.
- Leaving the odometer line blank. The DMV rejects the form because mileage disclosure is required at every title issuance.
- Forgetting a co-owner’s signature. The application is returned because every owner listed on the title must sign.
- Highlighting your documents. The DMV will not accept highlighted copies, so your packet bounces back unprocessed.
- Copying the VIN wrong. A single swapped character pulls the wrong record or no record, halting the request.
- Using an old mailing address. Your new title ships to a place you no longer live, forcing a costly reapplication.
- Trying to add or remove a lien on this form. The DMV cannot process lien changes here, so the request is denied.
- Filing VT-04 for an out-of-state title. Vermont can only reissue its own titles, so the request is rejected.
- Sending cash through the mail. The Montpelier office does not accept mailed cash, so your packet is returned.
- Skipping the Power of Attorney when filing for someone else. Without it, the DMV refuses a non-owner’s signature.
- Typing your name instead of signing it. The form requires a handwritten ink signature, so a printed name fails.
- Guessing the model year. A year that does not match the VIN triggers a manual hold and delay.
- Underpaying the fee. Sending less than the $42 fee stalls the application until full payment arrives.
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
- Do download Form VT-04 from the official DMV site, so you use the current version with the right fee.
- Do gather every document before you start, because a missing item means a wasted trip or return mailing.
- Do have all owners sign, since the DMV rejects forms missing any owner’s signature.
- Do write the odometer reading, as a blank line is a leading rejection cause.
- Do keep proof of filing, so you can track or re-prove your request if it stalls.
- Do confirm your mailing address, since the new title ships to whatever you write.
Don’t:
- Don’t highlight any documents, because the DMV rejects highlighted paperwork on sight.
- Don’t use this form to change a lien, as lien edits require Form TA-VT-08 or TA-VT-19.
- Don’t mail cash, since the Montpelier office only accepts checks or money orders by mail.
- Don’t sign for another owner, because proxy signatures void the application.
- Don’t guess the VIN from memory, as one wrong character derails the whole request.
- Don’t file VT-04 for a vehicle titled out of state, since you must use that state’s process instead.
Pros and Cons of Filing on Your Own vs. With Help
Most people file Form VT-04 themselves, but a dealer, title service, or attorney can step in for complex cases. Weigh the trade-offs below.
| Filing on Your Own | Filing With Help |
|---|---|
| Costs only the $42 fee, since there is no service charge to pay | Adds a service fee on top of the $42, which raises the total |
| Gives you full control over every entry on the form | Hands control to a third party who fills it out for you |
| Works well for simple, single-owner, lien-free cases | Helps when there are liens, an estate, or out-of-state issues |
| Lets you file same-day in person or at a kiosk | May take longer as paperwork passes through another party |
| Builds your own understanding for next time | Saves you time and effort if your schedule is tight |
Filing yourself is the right call for a straightforward lost or damaged title, because the form is short and the fee is low. Bringing in help makes sense when an estate, a divorce, a missing co-owner, or an out-of-state lender complicates ownership, since a professional can navigate the extra forms and avoid a costly misstep.
FAQs
Do I need the old title to get a duplicate if mine is lost?
No. If your title is lost or stolen, you simply mark that reason on Form VT-04. You only surrender the old title when it is damaged or mutilated.
Is the duplicate title fee really $42?
Yes. Vermont charges a $42 fee for a duplicate title through every channel, paid by check, money order, or card. Older sources may list lower amounts, but $42 is current.
Do both owners have to sign if the car is co-owned?
Yes. Every owner listed on the title must sign Form VT-04. If even one co-owner’s signature is missing, the DMV returns the application unprocessed.
Do I write my odometer reading even if I am not selling the car?
Yes. The odometer reading is required at every title issuance under federal law. Leaving Box 7 blank is one of the top reasons forms get rejected.
Can I use Form VT-04 to remove a paid-off lien?
No. You cannot add or remove a lien on this form. Use Form TA-VT-08 to release a lien or Form TA-VT-19 to add one.
Will the new title come to me if I still owe on my loan?
No. When an active lien exists, the new title is mailed to your lienholder, not to you, until the loan is paid and the lien is released.
Do I put my Social Security number in the owner ID field?
No. The owner identification field wants your driver’s license or state ID number, not your Social Security number. Copy it exactly from your card.
Can I file the duplicate title application at a DMV kiosk?
Yes. Vermont DMV kiosks can process simple duplicate title requests when you enter your details and pay by card. Complex cases with liens are better handled in person.
Do I list a P.O. Box in the owner address field?
Yes. A P.O. Box is allowed for the mailing address as long as you reliably receive mail there. Add a physical address too if the form provides space.
Can I get a Vermont duplicate for a vehicle titled in another state?
No. Vermont can only reissue titles it originally created. If your vehicle was last titled elsewhere, you must request the duplicate from that state.
Does a typed name count as my signature on Form VT-04?
No. The DMV requires a handwritten signature in ink. A typed or printed name will cause the application to be rejected.
Can I pay the fee with cash if I mail my application?
No. The Montpelier office does not accept cash sent by mail. Include a check or money order for $42 made out to the Vermont DMV.
How long does it take to receive my duplicate title?
Yes, there is a wait — most duplicate titles arrive by mail in about one to two weeks after the DMV accepts your form and payment.
Do I need a Power of Attorney to file for someone else?
Yes. A non-owner must attach a valid Power of Attorney to sign Form VT-04 for the owner. Without it, the DMV will not accept the signature.
Related reading
- How to Fill Out the Oregon DMV Application for Replacement Title + FAQs
- How to Fill Out New Hampshire DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form TDMV 18) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the District of Columbia DMV Application for a Duplicate Title + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Vermont DMV Application for Certificate of Title (Form VD-119) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Vermont DMV Vehicle Bill of Sale (w/Examples) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out the Vermont DMV Vehicle Registration Application (Form VD-119) + FAQs
- How to Fill Out Delaware DMV Application for Duplicate Title (Form MV213) + FAQs