What forms you need to register a vehicle in Connecticut

Connecticut requires two main forms to register a vehicle: the process for Registration (Form H-13) and the Affidavit of Non-Lien (Form H-13A). Form H-13 is the core registration document where you provide vehicle details, ownership information, and proof of inspection. Form H-13A is a sworn statement confirming that no one else has a legal claim to the vehicle—lenders, for example, or someone who financed the purchase.

You also need to bring proof of ownership (the title or bill of sale), a passing emissions or safety inspection certificate, and proof of insurance. The DMV will not process registration without these supporting documents, even if your forms are filled out correctly. If you're registering a vehicle for the first time in Connecticut or transferring ownership, the specific documents shift slightly, but the two core forms remain the same.

You can obtain Form H-13 and Form H-13A from the Connecticut DMV website, any DMV branch office, or some town clerk offices. Both are also available as fillable PDFs, which you can complete on your computer before arriving at the DMV. Handwritten forms are accepted, but they must be legible and signed in ink.

Key Takeaways

  • Form H-13 (process for Registration) and Form H-13A (Affidavit of Non-Lien) are the two required forms for all Connecticut vehicle registrations.
  • You must also provide a current title or bill of sale, a passing inspection certificate, and proof of insurance before the DMV will process your registration.
  • Forms are available on the Connecticut DMV website as fillable PDFs, from any DMV office, or from many town clerk offices.
  • Both forms must be signed in ink; electronic signatures are not accepted for registration paperwork.
  • If you are registering a vehicle with an outstanding loan, the lender's information goes on Form H-13A, and you may need additional documentation from the lender.

Form H-13: process for Registration explained

Form H-13 is where you enter the vehicle's identification number (VIN), make, model, year, and color. You also list the registered owner's name, address, and date of birth. If there are multiple owners, both names go on this form. The form asks whether the vehicle is for personal use, commercial use, or rental purposes, because registration fees and renewal cycles differ by use type.

You must also declare the vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR)—this number is on the vehicle's door jamb or in the owner's manual. The GVWR determines which registration class applies and affects your annual fee. If you do not know the GVWR, the DMV staff can help you find it, but bringing it filled in speeds up processing.

The inspection certificate number goes on Form H-13. Connecticut requires either a safety inspection (for vehicles over four years old) or an emissions test (for vehicles in certain counties). The inspection must be current—dated within the last 60 days when you submit the form. If your inspection has expired, you cannot complete registration until you pass a new one.

Form H-13A: Affidavit of Non-Lien and what it means

Form H-13A is a legal statement that you own the vehicle free and clear, or that you have disclosed all lienholders. A lienholder is anyone with a legal claim to the vehicle—typically a bank or credit union that financed the purchase. If you still owe money on a car loan, the lender's name and address must appear on Form H-13A. Lying on this form is perjury, which is why it requires your signature and the date.

If the vehicle is paid off, you sign Form H-13A stating that there are no lienholders. If the vehicle is financed, you list the lender's information. Some lenders require you to notify them before you register the vehicle in a new state or transfer ownership; check your loan documents or call your lender before submitting the form.

The DMV uses Form H-13A to prevent title fraud and to may support that registration records match ownership records. If a lienholder is not listed and the lender later discovers this, they can file a claim against the vehicle, which complicates future sales or transfers.

Supporting documents you must bring with Form H-13 and H-13A

The completed forms alone are not enough. You must also provide the vehicle's title or a bill of sale. If you have the title, bring the original document. If the title is held by a lender, ask the lender to send it to you or to the DMV directly before you visit. If you are buying a vehicle from a private seller and do not yet have the title, a bill of sale signed by the seller serves as temporary proof of ownership while the title is being transferred.

Proof of a passing inspection is required. This is the inspection certificate issued by an authorized Connecticut inspection station—not a receipt or appointment confirmation. The certificate shows the inspection date, the station's name, and the vehicle's inspection status. If you have not yet had the vehicle inspected, you must do that before visiting the DMV.

You also need proof of insurance. Connecticut law requires all registered vehicles to carry liability insurance. Bring your insurance card, a declaration page from your insurance company, or a letter from your insurer confirming coverage. The policy must be active on the date you register the vehicle.

How to fill out the forms correctly

Use black or blue ink if you are writing by hand. Print clearly and stay within the boxes on the form. Do not use correction fluid or cross out mistakes; if you make an error, request a fresh form from the DMV or read a new PDF. Both Form H-13 and Form H-13A must be signed and dated by the registered owner. If there are two owners, both must sign.

Double-check the VIN before you submit the form. A single digit or letter wrong will cause the registration to be rejected or delayed. You can find the VIN on the vehicle's dashboard (visible through the windshield on the driver's side), on the title, or on the insurance card. If you are unsure, ask the seller or check the vehicle's registration documents.

If you are registering a vehicle with a lienholder, make sure the lender's name and address on Form H-13A match exactly what appears on your loan documents. Mismatches can delay processing. Some lenders have specific formatting requirements; if you are unsure, call the lender before you fill out the form.

Where to submit your forms and what happens next

You can submit Form H-13 and Form H-13A in person at any Connecticut DMV branch office. Bring all supporting documents—the title or bill of sale, the inspection certificate, proof of insurance, and a valid photo ID. The DMV staff will review your forms and documents on the spot. If everything is correct, they will process your registration and issue you a registration certificate and plates (or a registration sticker if you are renewing).

Processing usually takes a few minutes to an hour, depending on how busy the office is. If there are errors or missing documents, the staff will tell you what needs to be corrected before they can proceed. You cannot mail registration forms to the DMV; all registrations must be handled in person at a branch office.

Once your registration is approved, you will receive a registration certificate (the paper document) and either new license plates or a registration sticker, depending on whether you are a new registrant or renewing. Keep the registration certificate in your vehicle at all times. Connecticut law requires you to show it to a police officer if you are stopped.

Special situations: transfers, commercial vehicles, and fleet registrations

If you are transferring a vehicle from another state, you still use Form H-13 and Form H-13A, but you must also provide the out-of-state title and proof that you have passed a Connecticut inspection. Some states' titles are not accepted in Connecticut; if you are unsure whether your title will be recognized, contact the DMV before you visit.

Commercial vehicles and fleet registrations have additional requirements. If you are registering a vehicle for business use, you may need a Commercial Registration process (Form H-13C) instead of or in addition to Form H-13. Fleet registrations—multiple vehicles owned by one business—use a different process and different forms. Contact the DMV or visit a branch office to determine which forms explore to your situation.

Vehicles registered as taxis, rental cars, or for hire have their own registration class and fee structure. The DMV will ask you to specify the vehicle's use on Form H-13. If you misrepresent the use, your registration can be cancelled and you may face fines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I fill out Form H-13 and Form H-13A online and submit them electronically?

No. Connecticut does not accept electronic submission of registration forms. You must complete the forms (either by hand or by printing a fillable PDF) and submit them in person at a DMV branch office with all supporting documents.

What if I do not have the vehicle's title yet?

If you are buying a vehicle and the title has not been transferred to you, bring a bill of sale signed by the seller. The bill of sale must include the vehicle's VIN, the sale price, the date of sale, and the signatures of both buyer and seller. The DMV will process your registration with the bill of sale while the title is being transferred.

Do I need to notarize Form H-13A?

No. Form H-13A does not require notarization. You sign it in front of the DMV staff when you submit it, or you can sign it beforehand and bring it completed. Either way is acceptable.

What if I have a lienholder but do not know their exact address?

Call your lender and ask for the address to use on registration documents. Lenders often have a specific address they require for title and registration purposes, which may be different from the address on your loan statement. Using the correct address prevents delays.

Can someone else submit my forms if I cannot go to the DMV in person?

No. The registered owner must sign Form H-13 and Form H-13A in front of the DMV staff. If there are two owners, both must be present. The DMV does not accept forms signed in advance by someone who is not present at the office.