To get a current, valid title to a vehicle you purchase or otherwise obtain, you will have to submit certain documents to DC DMV. The following original documents are required to obtain a new vehicle title (DC DMV cannot accept photocopies or scanned documents):
- Current title or Certificate of Origin
Altered titles are not acceptable; you will have to apply for a replacement title if the title to the vehicle has been altered. If you are transferring a vehicle from another jurisdiction to the District of Columbia and the vehicle has a lien on it, you will need to contact the lienholder and have the original title sent to one of DMV's service centers. You can access the lienholder out of state title request form from the link below: Lienholder Out of State Title Request Form
- DC DMV driver license or DC DMV non-driver identification card
If the vehicle has multiple owners, all owners must be listed on the title. The primary owner must be a District resident with a DC DMV credential. Additionally, information on the other owners, including photo identification, will be required for vehicle registrations. More information on required documents for registrations is available at the link below: District Residency and Documentation for Vehicle Registrations
- Car Bill of Sale
- Proof of Valid Odometer Statement
For a new car, the dealer’s odometer statement For a used car, either:
- Certification of odometer mileage on back of title (when signed over)
- Certification of odometer mileage on dealer reassignment form (if purchased from dealer)
- Lien contract (if applicable)
- Lease contract (if applicable)
Your DC DMV vehicle title will be mailed to the primary owner, or the primary lien holder, within 10 business days of presenting all the required documentation to DC DMV.
District law requires that all vehicles housed and operated in the District of Columbia must be registered in the District unless the owner displays a reciprocity sticker issued by DC DMV. Before you can title and register a vehicle, all outstanding tickets, dishonored check(s) fee, delinquent child support payments, or any other debt you owe to the District of Columbia Government must be paid.
Requirements for Historic Motor Vehicles
No historic motor vehicle shall be required to comply with any equipment, material, or design standard which it was not legally required to achieve when it was manufactured.
No historic motor vehicle shall be required to comply with any performance standard with which it was not legally required to achieve or comply when it was manufactured. Performance standards shall include, but not be limited to, standards or requirements for exhaust and noise emissions and for fuel usage.
If the vehicle has a current Vehicle Inspection Sticker, the customer can declare the vehicle Historic without the vehicle having to be inspected. The customer will go the SW Inspection Station Office and request a copy of the Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). The Vehicle Inspection Report will be stamped Historic FI or FII by one of the Resolution Coordinators, and issued to the customer. In addition, the customer will receive a HISTORIC FI or FII vehicle inspection sticker that will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The customer may then proceed to a DMV Service Center and register the vehicle.
If the vehicle does not have a current pass Vehicle Inspection Sticker, the vehicle will have to be inspected. The customer should indicate to the inspector that he/she is at the inspections station for a Historic Vehicle Inspection. The Inspector will inquire if the Historic Vehicle Inspection is FI or FII. After the vehicle has successfully passed inspection, the customer will be issued a Vehicle Inspection Report (VIR). The customer will take the Vehicle Inspection Report to the SW Inspection Station Office and it will be stamped FI or FII by one of the Resolution Coordinators and issued to the customer. In addition, the customer will receive a HISTORIC FI or FII vehicle inspection sticker that will be affixed to the vehicle’s windshield. The customer may then proceed to a DMV Service Center and register the vehicle.
Historic Tags Process
- The customer will need to meet the required years criteria, once it’s been confirmed that they meet the criteria, they can declare their vehicle Historical.
- If the vehicle has a current Pass Sticker the customer can declare the vehicle Historical without having to be inspected, a copy of their pass Vehicle Inspection Report is needed
- Inspection Report (VIR) will be stamped historic and issued to them. Once the vehicle has been declared Historical they may choose the F (1) or F (2) option.
- They will then proceed to a DMV Service Center and register their vehicle. The vehicle will never require an inspection again; if categorized as FII
- F (I) historical vehicles receive a two year sticker and will return to the station every two years to have their mileage verified and updated in the system (Gordon Darby)
- F (II) historical vehicles receive a non-expiring sticker
Documents required for registration of historic vehicle
If a customer would like to register a vehicle as HISTORIC and obtain registration the following documents are required for the first time:
- Completed certificate of Title/Tag application, indicating Historic Tags
- Title vehicle only if the titling the vehicle in DC for the first time
- DC Driver License or DC Non Driver ID
- DC Vehicle insurance coverage
- DC Vehicle inspection report, stamped either FI or FII