Rhode Island bonded title & title bond

Rhode Island Vehicle Title Bonds

Also called a motor vehicle ownership surety bond or defective title bond. In Rhode Island, get an instant estimate with one simple input—your vehicle's fair market value.

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Rhode Island (RI)

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At a glance

Rhode Island Bonded Title Key Facts

Bond amount1.5x the vehicle's value (one and one-half times the value)

Bond term3 years

Governing authorityRhode Island Div of Motor Vehicles

Governed by R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-9.

The basics

What Is a Bonded Title in Rhode Island?

Yes — Rhode Island issues a bonded title. A bonded title in Rhode Island is a regular certificate of title the Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issues on the strength of a surety bond when it is not satisfied that you own the vehicle, or that there are no hidden liens on it. As a condition of issuing the title, the DMV can require you to file a bond equal to one and one-half times (1.5x) the vehicle's value. Rhode Island calls this the “Certificate of Title Bond.”

Good to know — There is no minimum vehicle value. The DMV may require a surety bond whenever it is not satisfied as to who owns the vehicle, or that there are no undisclosed security interests (liens) in it.

The bond protects any prior owner, lienholder, or later 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.

Rhode Island sets the bond at 1.5 times your vehicle's value, as the DMV determines it. The bond stays in effect for three years. After that, if no valid claim has been made, the bond ends; it can be released sooner if the vehicle is no longer registered in Rhode Island and you surrender the valid title.

Good to know: since January 1, 2024, Rhode Island issues a title for all vehicles, including model years 2000 and older that used to be registered without a title. If you cannot prove ownership of one of these vehicles, the bonded-title path may apply.

Eligibility

Do You Qualify for a Rhode Island Bonded Title?

You may qualify when all of the following are true.

You are titling a vehicle in Rhode Island but cannot fully prove you own it — for example, the seller never gave you a valid title, or the title was lost, stolen, altered, or improperly assigned.
The DMV is not satisfied as to who owns the vehicle, or that there are no undisclosed security interests (liens) in it.
You can show what proof of ownership you do have, such as a bill of sale or a prior registration.
The bond is executed by a company authorized to conduct surety business in Rhode Island (or you deposit cash with the DMV instead).

Step by step

How to Get a Bonded Title in Rhode Island: Step by Step

Confirm you need a bonded title

Rhode Island requires a surety bond only when the DMV is not satisfied that you own the vehicle, or that it is free of hidden liens. If you can produce the normal proof of ownership, you do not need a bond. Start with the RI DMV Research/Title Office, which handles these titles.

Tip: Call the Research/Title Office at (401) 462-5774 before you buy anything.

Gather your proof of ownership

Collect whatever shows how you got the vehicle — a bill of sale, a prior registration, or a paid sales tax form — along with a government-issued photo ID. Bring or mail these to the DMV Research/Title Office so it can review your case.

Title Document Checklist

Tip: Out-of-state vehicles usually need a VIN check from a local police department.

Have the DMV determine your vehicle's value

Your bond amount is based on the vehicle’s value as determined by the DMV. Ask the Research/Title Office how it will set your value, then enter that value in the calculator above to estimate your premium.

Tip: Get the value right — your bond amount is 1.5x the value the DMV sets.

Buy your Certificate of Title Bond

Buy a surety bond equal to one and one-half times (1.5x) the value the DMV sets, from a company authorized to write surety bonds in Rhode Island, and complete the DMV's Application for Certificate of Title Bond. Once issued, the bond stays in effect for three years.

Application for Certificate of Title Bond

Tip: The bond must come from a surety company authorized in Rhode Island, or you can deposit cash with the DMV instead.

Complete your title application

Fill out the Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9). If you are also registering the vehicle at the same time, you may use the Application for Registration and Title Certificate (TR-1) instead.

Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9)

Tip: TR-1 is the combined registration-and-title form; TR-2/TR-9 is title only.

File everything with the DMV Research/Title Office

Submit the signed Certificate of Title Bond, your Application for Title, your proof of ownership, and the $53.50 title fee to the RI DMV Research/Title Office at 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. You can file in person by reservation or by mail.

Tip: Call (401) 462-5774 to confirm exactly what to bring and how to pay.

Paperwork

Rhode Island Title Bond Documents

Application for Certificate of Title Bond

The surety bond filed with your application, required under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-9(2). Executed by you and your surety company, or backed by a cash deposit with the DMV. Rhode Island does not assign this bond form a TR-number.

View form

Application for TitleTR-2/TR-9

The main certificate-of-title application.

View form

Application for Registration and Title CertificateTR-1

Used when you are registering and titling the vehicle at the same time.

View form

Title Document Checklist

The RI DMV's checklist of documents needed to title a vehicle.

View form

You'll also need

Proof of how you acquired the vehicle, such as a bill of sale, a prior registration, or a paid sales tax form

The executed Certificate of Title Bond equal to 1.5x the vehicle's value (or a cash deposit with the DMV)

Government-issued photo ID

A VIN check (required for out-of-state vehicles, done by a local police department)

A completed sales tax form (T-334) and payment of any sales tax due

Cost

How Rhode Island Title Bond Pricing Works

You do not pay the full bond amount. In Rhode Island the surety bond must equal one and one-half times (1.5x) your vehicle's value, as the DMV determines it. 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 $53.50 certificate of title fee, plus any sales tax and registration fees, are state charges separate from the surety bond premium.

Worked example

If the DMV sets your vehicle's value at $8,000, the bond amount is 1.5x that, or $12,000. You pay only the premium on the $12,000 bond, not the full $12,000.

Get help

Filing Information

Rhode Island Div of Motor Vehicles

(401) 462-5774

Websitedmv.ri.gov

Where to fileFile your bonded-title paperwork with the RI DMV Research/Title Office at the Cranston Headquarters, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. You can apply in person by reservation, or mail your documents and fees to the same address. The Research/Title Office can be reached at (401) 462-5774.

Find a Filing Officedmv.ri.gov/locations-hours

FAQ

Rhode Island Bonded Title FAQ

Does Rhode Island issue a bonded title?

Yes. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-9, the DMV can require a surety bond as a condition of issuing a certificate of title when it is not satisfied that you own the vehicle, or that there are no undisclosed liens. Rhode Island calls it a Certificate of Title Bond.

How much is a Rhode Island title bond?

The bond amount equals one and one-half times (1.5x) your vehicle's value, as determined by the DMV. You pay a premium — a percentage of that amount — not the full bond amount. Use the calculator above to estimate it.

How is my vehicle’s value determined in Rhode Island?

The Rhode Island DMV determines the value used to set the bond (R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-9). Ask the Research/Title Office at (401) 462-5774 how it will value your vehicle before you buy the bond.

How long does a Rhode Island title bond last?

Three years. Under R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-9, the bond and any cash deposit are returned at the end of three years, or sooner if the vehicle is no longer registered in Rhode Island and you surrender the valid certificate of title.

When do I need a bonded title in Rhode Island?

When you cannot fully prove ownership — for example, the seller never gave you a valid title, or it was lost, stolen, altered, or improperly assigned — and the DMV is not satisfied as to ownership or that there are no hidden liens.

Where do I file my Rhode Island bonded title paperwork?

With the RI DMV Research/Title Office at the Cranston Headquarters, 600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. File in person by reservation or by mail. Call (401) 462-5774 with questions.

What does it cost to title the vehicle?

The Rhode Island certificate of title fee is $53.50. Sales tax and registration fees may also apply. These state fees are separate from the surety bond premium.

Does Rhode Island title older vehicles?

Yes. Since January 1, 2024, Rhode Island issues a title for all vehicles, including model years 2000 and older that used to be registered without a title. If you cannot prove ownership of such a vehicle, the bonded-title path may apply.

Sources

R.I. Gen. Laws § 31-3.1-9 (Registration without certificate of title — Bond; one and one-half times the value; three-year term)RI DMV — Titles (certificate of title; all vehicles eligible for a title including model years 2000 and older effective 1/1/2024)RI DMV — Application for Certificate of Title Bond (surety bond form; "Bond Requirement Under RIGL § 31-3.1-9(2)")RI DMV — Title Forms (TR-2/TR-9 and the Certificate of Title Bond)RI DMV — Application for Title (TR-2/TR-9)RI DMV — Cranston Headquarters (600 New London Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920; main line (401) 462-4368)RI DMV — Registration & Title Fees ($53.50 certificate of title fee)

Last verified 2026-06-23. Requirements change — confirm current details with Rhode Island Div of Motor Vehicles before you file. This page is informational and not legal advice.

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VehicleTitleBond.com is operated by Insurance Services by Shield, a California and Texas licensed insurance agency (CA License #6018195, TX License #3446536). Insurance Services by Shield is not an insurance carrier and does not underwrite bonds or insurance policies. Bond and coverage availability, pricing, and issuance are subject to carrier underwriting approval, eligibility, applicable state requirements, and policy or bond terms. Availability varies by state.