How To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Connecticut in 2026

In Connecticut, transferring a vehicle title to a family member involves a formal change of recorded ownership processed through the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (CT DMV). The transaction may be structured as a gift, with no money exchanged between the parties, or as a private sale at an agreed purchase price — each carrying distinct tax consequences under Connecticut law. The current owner and the recipient must both satisfy the CT DMV's requirements before the transfer is legally complete.

What Does Transferring a Car Title to a Family Member in Connecticut Mean?

Under Connecticut law, transferring a car title to a family member is the legal process of conveying recorded ownership of a motor vehicle from one individual to another through the state's official vehicle titling system. The Connecticut Certificate of Title functions as the primary legal document establishing ownership of any titled motor vehicle. Until a new certificate is issued in the recipient's name, the original owner remains the legally recognized owner on record with the CT DMV — regardless of any private arrangement between the parties.

The CT DMV serves as the state's central titling authority and maintains all motor vehicle ownership records. Connecticut requires the new owner to submit the complete title transfer package in person at a designated DMV hub or branch office.

After the document package is received and reviewed, the CT DMV issues a new Certificate of Title in the recipient's name and mails it to the address on record. The governing statute for motor vehicle ownership transfers is Conn. Gen. Stat. Chapter 246 § 14-16, which establishes the legal framework for transferring motor vehicle ownership, designating beneficiaries, and applicable fees and penalties.

Note: Connecticut does not require a Certificate of Title for motor vehicles that are more than 20 model years old. For such vehicles, proof of ownership is established through the most recent registration certificate and, if applicable, a completed supplemental assignment of ownership (Form Q-1).

Eligible Family Members for Title Transfers in Connecticut

Connecticut law provides a sales tax exemption for vehicle transfers between immediate family members, but that exemption is not automatic. Two conditions must be satisfied for the exemption to apply: the vehicle must have been registered in the transferring family member's name for at least 60 days immediately prior to the transfer date, and it must have been taxed at the time of its most recent sale.

The CT DMV defines immediate family for purposes of this exemption as follows:

• Spouse or civil union partner
• Parent or child (including through adoption)
• Brother or sister (including through adoption)

If a vehicle is transferred between individuals who fall outside these defined relationships — including grandparents, grandchildren, aunts, uncles, cousins, or in-laws — the standard Connecticut sales and use tax applies based on the higher of the NADA average trade-in value or the stated bill-of-sale price.

The exemption also does not apply when either of the two qualifying conditions is unmet. A transfer completed fewer than 60 days after the current owner registered the vehicle, or a vehicle that was not taxed on its last sale, triggers standard sales tax liability regardless of the family relationship. Additionally, a vehicle subject to delinquent property tax, outstanding parking tickets, or a registration suspension cannot be registered under the family exemption until those matters are resolved.

How To Transfer a Car Title as a Gift to a Family Member in Connecticut

A gift transfer applies when no monetary consideration passes between the parties and the vehicle is conveyed at no cost to the recipient. The following steps outline the complete process for a gift transfer between immediate family members in Connecticut.

Step 1 — Confirm the title is free of liens. The current owner must verify that no active lienholder is recorded on the Connecticut Certificate of Title. If a lien exists, it must be formally released by the lienholder in writing before the gift transfer can proceed. A vehicle with an outstanding lien recorded on the title is not eligible for a clean gift transfer and may trigger sales tax obligations at registration.

Step 2 — Complete the title assignment on the reverse of the Certificate of Title. The transferring party must complete the assignment section on the back of the existing Connecticut Certificate of Title. The following fields are required:

• Full legal name of the recipient (family member receiving the vehicle)
• Recipient's current Connecticut mailing address
• Purchase price or transfer value — enter "$0" or "Gift"
• Date of transfer
• Odometer reading at the time of transfer (required for most vehicles; see odometer note in Section 5)
• Transferring party's original legal signature

Step 3 — Complete the Motor Vehicle or Vessel Gift Declaration (Form AU-463). For all gift transfers, the donor must complete and sign Form AU-463. This form documents the nature of the transaction, confirms that no monetary exchange occurred, and establishes the basis for the sales tax exemption at registration. The signed AU-463 must accompany the title package submitted to the CT DMV.

Step 4 — Prepare and complete the Application for Registration and Title (Form H-13B). The recipient must complete Form H-13B in full, which serves as both the title and registration application. If the transfer qualifies for the family sales tax exemption, Section 5 of Form H-13B must also be completed.

Step 5 — Schedule an appointment and submit the document package to a CT DMV office. The recipient must schedule an appointment at a CT DMV hub or branch location and present the required documents in person.

Step 6 — Obtain new registration and address emissions compliance. Upon approval, the CT DMV issues a new registration in the recipient's name. If the vehicle was previously registered in Connecticut, an emissions test must be completed within 30 days of the new registration date. No reminder notice is sent by the DMV; emissions compliance status can be verified in advance at ctemissions.com using the vehicle's VIN. If the vehicle is four years old or newer, an emissions exemption fee of $40 applies in lieu of testing.

How To Transfer a Car Title as a Sale to a Family Member in Connecticut

When a family member purchases the vehicle for an agreed price — even a nominal or reduced amount — the transfer is treated as a private (casual) sale. The following steps govern the sale transfer process in Connecticut.

Step 1 — Agree on a purchase price and complete the title assignment. The seller and buyer establish a purchase price. The seller then completes the assignment section on the reverse of the Connecticut Certificate of Title, entering:

• Buyer's full legal name and Connecticut address
• Agreed purchase price (note: sales tax is assessed on the higher of this amount or the NADA average trade-in value)
• Date of transfer
• Odometer reading at the time of transfer
• Seller's original legal signature

Step 2 — Prepare a Bill of Sale. A written bill of sale should be executed between the parties and must include:

• Vehicle identification number (VIN)
• Year, make, and model of the vehicle
• Full legal names and addresses of both the seller and buyer
• Agreed purchase price
• Date of sale
• Original signatures of both parties

Step 3 — Release any existing lien, if applicable. If a lien is recorded on the Connecticut Certificate of Title, the lienholder must provide a written lien release document before the title can be reassigned. The lien release must be included in the title package at the time of submission.

Step 4 — Complete Form H-13B. The buyer must complete the Application for Registration and Title (Form H-13B), including all vehicle and ownership information. If the buyer believes the transfer qualifies for the family sales tax exemption (60-day rule met, vehicle previously taxed on last sale), Section 5 of Form H-13B must be completed accordingly.

Step 5 — Schedule an appointment and submit the document package to a CT DMV office. The buyer must schedule an appointment at a CT DMV hub or branch location and present all required documentation.

Step 6 — Pay sales tax and register the vehicle. Connecticut sales tax on a casual vehicle sale is assessed at the time of registration by the CT DMV. The taxable amount is the higher of the NADA average trade-in value or the bill-of-sale price, as reported on Form H-13B. If the family exemption applies, no sales tax is collected. If the vehicle was previously registered in Connecticut, an emissions test must be completed within 30 days of the new registration date.

What Documents Are Needed To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Connecticut

Required for all transfers:

• Connecticut Certificate of Title — The original certificate, with the assignment section on the reverse completed in full by the transferring party. All names must be spelled exactly as they appear on the title. If the original title has been lost, a duplicate must be obtained before the transfer can proceed.
• Form H-13B — Application for Registration and Title — Completed by the new owner. Includes vehicle identification, ownership information, odometer disclosure, and tax exemption sections. Section 5 must be completed for all family transfers claiming the sales tax exemption.
• Government-issued photo identification — Accepted forms of identification are listed on the CT DMV's identification requirements page.
• Current Connecticut insurance card — Issued in the new owner's name for the vehicle being transferred. Proof of minimum liability coverage is required at registration.
• Payment for applicable fees — Title fee ($25), registration fees, and any applicable sales tax or surcharges.

Required for gift transfers only:

• Form AU-463 — Motor Vehicle or Vessel Gift Declaration — Completed and signed by the donor. Confirms no monetary consideration was exchanged and supports the sales tax exemption claim. No notarization is required for Form AU-463.

Required for sale transfers only:

• Bill of Sale — A written record of the sale transaction. Must include the VIN, year, make, and model of the vehicle, the full legal names and addresses of both parties, the purchase price, the date of sale, and original signatures of both parties. Connecticut does not mandate a state-issued bill of sale form for casual private sales; a privately drafted document is acceptable provided it contains all required fields.

Additional documents that may be required:

• Lien Release Documentation — If a lienholder is recorded on the Certificate of Title, written evidence of lien release from the lienholder must be submitted with the title package.
• Form Q-1 — Supplemental Assignment of Ownership — Required when the vehicle is registered in Connecticut but is more than 20 model years old and no Certificate of Title exists. Must be accompanied by a copy of the most recent registration certificate.
• Certified Probate Documents — Required only for transfers from the estate of a deceased family member. Acceptable documents include PC-160, PC-212B (must explicitly state that transfer is allowed), PC-260, PC-264 or PC-264S, and PC-450.
• Permission Letter to Retain Existing Plates — Required if the recipient wishes to keep the transferring party's existing license plates on the vehicle.

Note: Odometer disclosure in Connecticut is incorporated directly into Form H-13B for vehicles under 20 model years old and under 16,000 lbs. GVWR. All signatures on the Certificate of Title and on Form H-13B must be original handwritten signatures; electronic signatures are not accepted for title assignments at the CT DMV.

How To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member Online in Connecticut

A standard title transfer that changes recorded vehicle ownership in Connecticut cannot be completed entirely online. The new owner must appear in person at a CT DMV hub or branch office with a scheduled appointment to:

• Present the assigned Certificate of Title and all supporting documents in their original form
• Submit completed Form H-13B and, for gift transfers, Form AU-463
• Pay the $25 title fee, registration fees, and any applicable sales tax
• Provide a current Connecticut insurance card for the vehicle
• Present acceptable government-issued photo identification

Online submission of title transfer documents, electronic payment of sales tax at the time of transfer, and remote processing of Form H-13B are not currently available through the CT DMV.

What's the Cost To Transfer a Car Title to a Family Member in Connecticut?

All fees listed below are published by the CT DMV.

Title Fees:

Registration Fees:

Registration fees for commercial trucks, combination vehicles, and seasonal vehicles are calculated based on Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) in accordance with the applicable commercial fee schedules published by the CT DMV. The Passport to Parks fee applies to all three-year non-commercial vehicle registrations, including passenger cars, motorcycles, and motorhomes.

Sales and Use Tax (for sale transfers only):

Connecticut imposes a casual sales and use tax on private-party motor vehicle transfers under Conn. Gen. Stat. § 12-431. The applicable rate is 6.35% of the taxable amount for vehicles valued at $50,000 or less, and 7.75% for vehicles valued above $50,000. The taxable amount is the higher of the NADA average trade-in value or the stated bill-of-sale price, as reported on Form H-13B and assessed by the CT DMV at the time of registration.

For qualifying immediate-family transfers where the vehicle was registered in the transferring party's name for at least 60 days prior to transfer and was taxed on its last sale, no sales or use tax is collected at registration. A vehicle transferred between parties who do not meet the family relationship definition, or a transfer that does not satisfy the 60-day registration requirement, is subject to the full applicable rate. Sales tax is collected directly by the CT DMV at the time of in-person title submission and registration.

Contact Information

Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles
60 State Street, Wethersfield, Connecticut 06161
Phone: (860) 263-5700
Official Website: Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles