Can My Spouse Register My Car If She Not On The Title

Rhode Island's Division of Motor Vehicles headquarters in Cranston. [The Providence Journal, file/Kris Craig]

Q: I would like to add my wife's name to my vehicle's registration. Can I do that online? What forms do I need to fill up out?

— Louis

A: Adding you lot married woman'due south proper noun to the registration depends on the year of the vehicle and if there is an existing lien (or loan) on the vehicle.

If the vehicle is 2001 and newer and at that place is a lien on the vehicle, and so the first thing you demand to do is speak with your lien holder. The lien holder will release the championship giving y'all permission to add your wife. The lien holder may release the title and supporting documents to you or they will ship them to the Research Part at the Cranston DMV.

If they frontwards the championship to our Research Office (third flooring of the Cranston DMV), we will phone call you to let yous know when it has arrived. You will need to make full out a "TR-1 Application" list both of your names every bit owners — you would exist the seller — and both of your signatures are needed on this awarding.

If i of you volition not be present at the time of the transaction, then the missing party will need to have their signature notarized. Notaries must use an ink stamp and non the ones that are embossed just. (This changed in January 2019.)

You both volition as well demand to fill out the "Sales or Apply Revenue enhancement Exemption Certificate-Motor Vehicles". You lot will demand to write a "Souvenir Alphabetic character" gifting one-half of the vehicle to your wife: "I, Xxx, gift i-half of my interest of the following vehicle: YEAR, Brand, MODEL & VIN, to my married woman, XXX." Sign and date this letter. On the back of the title, you will exist the seller and both of you will be the buyers. Don't forget to bring your new loan papers. Yous will receive a new Registration Document listing both of you lot and the new title will be mailed to the lien holder.

If the vehicle is 2001 and newer and there is no lien on the vehicle and you are in possession of the title, so you will need to fill up out a "TR-1 Application" list both of your names as owners. You would be the seller, and both of your signatures are needed on this awarding.

If one of you lot will non be present at the time of the transaction, and so the missing party will need to have their signature notarized. (It'due south the same notary rules as higher up.) You both will also need to fill out the "Sales or Apply Tax Exemption Certificate-Motor Vehicles." You will demand to write a "Gift Letter" gifting half of the vehicle to your wife: "I, XXX, souvenir half of my interest of the following vehicle: Year, Make, MODEL & VIN, to my wife, XXX." Sign and date this letter. On the back of the championship, you volition be the Seller and both of you will exist the Buyers. You volition receive a new Registration Certificate and the new title volition be mailed to y'all in 2 to 3 weeks.

If you are non in possession of the title, you need to utilize for a duplicate title earlier you can do the higher up transactions. If there was ever a lien on the vehicle, it may withal be listed in our organization so a "Lien Release Letter" volition be needed from the lien establishment no matter how long ago it was. Duplicate Titles requests require the TR-ii application and there is a fee of $27.50. The new title will be mailed to you in two to 3 weeks and then you tin can begin of the above steps.

If the vehicle is 2000 and older and there is no lien on the vehicle, then a title is not needed. You volition demand to fill out a "TR-1 Application" listing both of your names equally owners, you would be the seller, and both of your signatures are needed on this application. If 1 of y'all will not be present at the time of the transaction, then the missing party will need to have their signature notarized. (It's the aforementioned notary rules as in a higher place.) You both will also need to make full out the "Sales or Use Tax Exemption Certificate-Motor Vehicles." Yous will demand to write a "Gift Letter" gifting i-half of the vehicle to your wife: "I, Thirty, gift one-one-half of my interest of the following vehicle: Year, MAKE, MODEL & VIN, to my married woman, 30". Sign and date this letter. You volition receive a new Registration Document listing both of you.

Chuck Hollis is assistant ambassador of the Rhode Island Division of Motor Vehicles. Please email your questions to cars@providencejournal.com with "Ask the DMV" in the subject area.