E-Title Benefits and Eligibility

An Electronic Vehicle Certificate of Title (E-Title) is the official record of your vehicle's ownership, stored securely in the RMV's system instead of printed on paper. This page explains the benefits of an E-Title, who is eligible, and how to decide whether one is right for you. Paper titles remain valid, and nothing changes for you unless you choose to get an E-Title.

What are the benefits of an E-Title?

An E-Title offers three main advantages over a paper title: speed, security, and simplicity.

• Speed: Buyers and sellers don't need to meet to sign a paper title, wait for a duplicate if the original is lost, or wait for a new title to arrive by mail.
• Security: Your title is stored in the RMV's secure system, which greatly reduces the risk of loss, damage, theft, forgery, and fraud. In an E-Title transfer, buyers can confirm the title is valid and review the details of the sale before any money changes hands.
• Simplicity: When the buyer, seller, and vehicle are all eligible, the entire transfer can be completed online through the myRMV Online Service Center. Buyers can also apply for their new title online. Registration still happens in person at an RMV Service Center.

Who is eligible for an E-Title?

All vehicle titles are still issued on paper by default. You'll receive an E-Title only if you ask to convert your paper title, or if you buy a vehicle through an E-Title transfer.

Converting a paper title to an E-Title
Many owners can convert their paper title to an E-Title. You can't convert if:

• The title is a salvage title.
• The vehicle is owned by a business.
• The title would be sent to someone other than the owner e.g. a third party like a dealer.
• The vehicle has an active lien that hasn't been paid off.

Buying or selling with an E-Title transfer
You can use an E-Title transfer only if all of the following are true:

• The buyer and the seller are individuals and Massachusetts residents with myRMV accounts.
• The seller already has an E-Title.
• The sale is a private sale between individuals, not with a dealer, and isn't a gift or $0 sale.
• The vehicle is an eligible type and has no active lien and no title brands, such as salvage, junk, or odometer brands.
• There is only one buyer. More than one seller is allowed.
• The buyer and the seller each complete their own part. Power of attorney can't be used.

See the full requirements on how to Buy or sell a vehicle using an E-Title transfer. 

When the transfer is complete, the buyer can apply for and will receive an E-Title.

Is an E-Title right for You?

An E-Title may be a good fit if:

• You're buying from a private seller and you, the seller, and the vehicle all meet the transfer requirements. Learn more on Buying or Selling a Vehicle using an E-Title Transfer. 
• You're selling to a private buyer and you, the seller, and the vehicle all meet the transfer requirements. You'll need to convert your paper title to an E-Title before the sale. 
• You aren't buying or selling soon but want your title stored securely, so you don't have to worry about losing it or having to get a duplicate.

A paper title may make more sense for now if:

• You plan to sell or trade in your vehicle with a dealer soon.
• Your buyer doesn't have a myRMV account or doesn't live in Massachusetts.
• Your vehicle is owned by a business or has an active lien. These vehicles aren't currently eligible.
• You are planning to move out of state in the near future. Your new state may need a paper title to register your vehicle there.

If you convert to an E-Title and later need a paper title, you can convert back for $25. Learn more on how to convert your E-Title to a paper title. 

What You Can (and can't) do with an E-Title Today

With an E-Title, you can:

• Sell your vehicle to an eligible private buyer through an E-Title transfer.
• Check the status of your vehicle's title
• Keep your E-Title through most title updates that don't change ownership such as amendments. 
• Convert back to a paper title at any time. Learn more on how to convert your E-Title to a paper title. 

You cannot:

• Sell or trade in your vehicle with a dealer using your E-Title. You or the dealer will need to convert it to a paper title first.
• Sell your vehicle to a buyer who isn't eligible for an E-Title transfer online. You'll need to convert to a paper title first.
• Register a vehicle online after an E-Title transfer. Registration still requires a visit to an RMV Service Center.

Dealer sales and trade-ins are planned for a future phase. Review Understanding Electronic Vehicle Certificate of Title (E-Title) for additional information.