Connecticut Vehicle Title Bonds

A bonded title in Connecticut is a regular certificate of title the Connecticut Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues on the strength of a surety bond (DMV form H-113). You use it when you cannot give the DMV the documents normally required to prove you own the vehicle — for example, the title is lost — and the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles requires a bond before issuing title. Connecticut sets this bond under General Statutes § 14-176.

The bond protects the State of Connecticut and any prior owner, lienholder, or future buyer if someone else turns out to have a claim on the vehicle. You file it together with your title application — it does not replace the application.

Connecticut sets the bond at twice your vehicle’s value, and the bond stays in effect for five years. If no valid claim is made during that time, the bond is returned. It can be returned sooner if the vehicle is no longer registered in Connecticut and you surrender the valid title.

Connecticut only titles vehicles that are 20 model years old or newer. Vehicles more than 20 model years old are non-titled under the state’s rules, so a bonded title is not needed — and not issued — for them.

You do not pay the full bond amount. In Connecticut, the surety bond must equal twice your vehicle’s value. You pay a premium, which is a smaller percentage of that bond amount.

Your premium depends on the bond amount and underwriting. Use the calculator above for an estimate; your final premium may vary. The $25 title fee and any registration fees are separate from the bond premium.