Understanding Electronic Vehicle Certificate of Title (E-Title)
Understanding Electronic Vehicle Certificate of Title (E-Title)
Massachusetts is introducing Electronic Vehicle Certificate of Title (E-Title), a new way to create and maintain vehicle titles in electronic form and, in eligible cases, transfer vehicle ownership entirely electronically. Before launch, the RMV will hold webinars and share detailed guidance on the E-Title initiative; to introduce what E-Title is, how it differs from the “Electronic Lien and Title (ELT)” process you may already know, and what to expect in this first phase, anticipated to be available later in 2026.
A First look - Phase 1
What Is an E-Title?
An E-Title is an electronic version of the paper Massachusetts Vehicle Certificate of Title — the official record of who owns a vehicle. Today, as required by law, the RMV prints and mails a paper certificate for almost every vehicle title when there is no lien, or all liens have been satisfied. In July 2025, the law changed to allow an electronic process for Massachusetts Titles and under the E-Title initiative, once an individual owner(s) has converted to an E-Title, that same vehicle title will continue to exist, but only within the RMV’s system of record. No paper title will be automatically generated.
Once a paper title has been converted to an E-Title:
To obtain a paper title, vehicle owner(s) must apply to convert their existing E-Title to a paper title using the Replace/Convert Your MA Certificate of Title application and pay the required fee.
Only the most recently issued title (paper or electronic) is valid. The previous MA title(s) are automatically canceled.
E-Title vs. ELT: Two Different Things
Many stakeholders already work with Electronic Lien and Title (“ELT”). It’s important to know that E-Title is a separate concept, and this initiative does not change how ELT works today. Key differences include:
ELT is the process by which a lender’s lien is recorded electronically with RMV. ELT is authorized under Section 11A of Chapter 90D of the Massachusetts General Laws. Separate from ELT, a title for the vehicle already exists and is unaffected by this initiative.
E-Title describes a title in an electronic format. E-Title is authorized under Section 24 of Chapter 90D of the Massachusetts General Law. E-Title representing ownership of a vehicle exists irrespective of any ELT process, but the E-Title will not be “issued to” the owner until the ELT lien has been removed.
A vehicle can have an electronically recorded lien without having an E-Title, or can have an E-Title with no lien at all — the two are independent of one another.
What's Coming in Phase 1
Conversion, on request. Owners can request to convert an existing paper title to an E-Title, or an existing E-Title to paper, for a $25 fee in either direction.
E-Title transfer for private party sales. Two Massachusetts residents completing a private party (“casual”) sale can transfer ownership of an eligible vehicle electronically, provided both have myRMV accounts and the seller either has an E-Title already or has converted their paper title to E-Title. After the seller releases ownership online, the buyer completes the title application online, pays the title fee and sales tax, and is assigned an E-Title in their name within the RMV’s system of record.
Vehicle registration is unchanged and still requires the current in-person process which would require the buyer to get an insurance stamp and for insurance agent to validate vehicle ownership.
What’s Not Yet Included in E-Title Phase 1 – and What Comes Next
Dealer Transactions (Phase 2, targeted Spring 2027). Dealer Purchases (trade-ins) and Dealer sales will be added in a later phase, expanding E-Title’s accessibility and benefits for EVR dealers who take title to the vehicle and go through the E-Title process
What to Expect Next
The RMV will provide webinars for dealers, and insurance representatives before launch. The RMV is also creating RMV staff job aids, and a dedicated public web page covering the E-Title process and changes.
