Connecticut Title Replacement

When a Connecticut vehicle title is lost, stolen, mutilated, or damaged beyond legibility, the registered owner can apply for a duplicate title through the Connecticut DMV. The application uses form H-6B (Application for Duplicate Certificate of Title) and is processed by mail or in person at one of the eight CT DMV branches.

Who can request a replacement title

• The registered owner of record on the Connecticut DMV system.
• A lienholder of record, if the vehicle is financed.
• A surviving spouse or executor with probate documentation, if the registered owner is deceased.
• A power-of-attorney holder, with original notarized POA documentation specifically authorizing the title application.

Connecticut does not accept duplicate-title requests from buyers or third parties who haven't yet been recorded as owners. A buyer mid-transaction needs the seller to obtain the duplicate first, then transfer it.

Documents required

• Completed form H-6B, signed by the registered owner.
• Photo ID (Connecticut driver's license or state-issued ID).
• Proof of payment for the duplicate title fee.
• If a lienholder is recorded on the original title, a written statement from the lienholder authorizing release of the duplicate.
• If applying after the death of the owner, a certified copy of the death certificate plus probate court documents (or a Surviving Spouse Affidavit if the estate qualifies).

Duplicate title fee

The Connecticut duplicate title fee is $25, the same as the original title fee. Express processing — guaranteed within 5 business days — costs an additional $50 surcharge. Standard mail processing typically takes 4-8 weeks. The replacement title is mailed to the registered owner's address on file; if the owner has moved without updating the DMV, the title is held at the destination post office and may be returned. Update your address through CT address change first if you've moved recently.

Lien-holder release

If the vehicle is financed, the lienholder is named on the original Connecticut title and must consent to issuance of any duplicate. The CT DMV requires:

• Either a paper lien release letter from the lender on lender letterhead, or
• An electronic release filed by the lender directly with the DMV through the Electronic Lien and Title (ELT) system.

Once a lien is released, the duplicate title is issued in the owner's name with no lien notation. If the loan is still active, the duplicate is issued and mailed directly to the lienholder, not the owner.

Mutilated or damaged title

If the original title still exists but is damaged, surrender the damaged title with the H-6B application. The DMV will not issue a duplicate while a usable original is in circulation, so destroying the damaged title before applying is a mistake — bring it in.

Stolen titles and identity protection

If the original title was stolen, file a police report before submitting H-6B. The CT DMV flags the original as void in its system once the duplicate is issued. This prevents the thief from using the stolen title to falsely transfer the vehicle. Bring the police report case number when submitting the application.

Processing options

Connecticut residents have three submission paths:

• Mail: Send H-6B + payment + supporting documents to CT DMV Title Section. Mail processing runs 4-8 weeks.
• In-person: Bring the application to a full DMV branch. Same-day processing is possible if all documentation is complete; otherwise the title is mailed.
• Online: Limited online duplicate-title functionality is available through the CT DMV portal for owners with no liens, no name changes, and no compliance flags.

Replacement title for an out-of-state move

If a Connecticut owner has moved to another state and needs to title the vehicle in their new state, they can request a Connecticut duplicate title at their new address by submitting H-6B by mail with the new address documented. The new state's DMV will then accept the Connecticut duplicate as the basis for a new state title. See CT title transfer for the related buyer-seller process and driving records for verifying ownership history.