About Replacing Car Registration in Rhode Island

You must replace a stolen or lost car registration in Rhode Island as soon as you become aware of the issue. If you do not replace a lost vehicle registration card after it goes missing, you may receive a traffic ticket if a police officer pulls you over and you cannot present valid proof of your car or truck’s registration period. 

Note: If you lose your registration documents close to their expiration date, it may be more cost efficient to complete the registration renewal process instead of ordering a duplicate. 

If your vehicle’s license plates are stolen, you must file a police report with a local law enforcement agency before purchasing your replacement tags. When purchasing a duplicate registration plate, you must also surrender any remaining tags to the DMV, if applicable. 

To learn how to replace car registration credentials, review the information below. 

Obtaining an Auto Registration Replacement in Rhode Island

To replace your DMV credentials once your original documents are lost, damaged or stolen, you must submit your request in person or by mail. You may wonder, “Can you print your car registration online in Rhode Island?”Currently, this Division of Motor Vehicles in Rhode Island does not offer that option. 

Learn more about these application methods in the sections below. 

In Person

To purchase a copy of registration credentials in person, you must visit a DMV office or local branch of the American Automobile Association (AAA) to submit documents. This includes some of the following:

• A completed application
• Payment for the required fee
• The license plate number of your registered vehicle

If replacing stolen or missing license plates, you may also need to submit a copy of the police report or an affidavit.

Download our free guide for a list of items that you may need to obtain a registration replacement. 

By Mail

To replace a defective or lost registration card by mail, forward a completed application and payment for the required fee to the DMV’s office in Cranston. When submitting your request by mail, you must enclose a check or money order as payment for the fee.  

As for replacement car registration license plates, you must mail an application for the remake of the plate along with payment for the required fee to the DMV’s main office in Cranston.    

Purchasing a Rhode Island DMV Copy of Registration Stickers

In addition to registration cards and plates, you may also need to replace your registration sticker. This is usually displayed on your vehicle as proof that you complied with the registration requirements in Rhode Island.

To purchase duplicate car registration stickers, you must visit a local DMV or AAA office to submit your request in person. You cannot purchase replacement license plate stickers by mail. 

Want more information on how to replace your registration documents? Download our free guide.