remotehuman t1_jdveq8h wrote on March 27, 2023 at 2:13 PM

Speaking from MA RMV terms, the “registration” is the plates. We call the paper proof registration as well but when you go into the RMV you will need to have a RTA (registration and title application) filled out along with a stamp from your insurance and you will have on it “new registration”.

The RMV will be able to locate your current registration information using your plates, you will want to surrender the license plates off of your car to the RMV and they will issue you new ones.

RAiD78 OP t1_jdvf6pn wrote on March 27, 2023 at 2:16 PM

So to be clear, as long as I'm able to fill out everything on the RTA, and I currently possess the plates of the state in which I'm registered, I should be fine?

Either way, I'm going to try to get a copy of my registration from state 1.

batman3415 t1_je3l46i wrote on March 29, 2023 at 3:56 AM

OP, this is NOT correct. The RMV can't look up out of state registrations. You need to get a copy of your registration from the state you're coming from. A photocopy of the title from the lien holder should also work. Also, there are some states (like New York and Montana) that are "title holding states". If you're coming from one of those states, then the original title is required.

ahecht t1_jdvjl6a wrote on March 27, 2023 at 2:47 PM

I could've sworn that I got to keep my old NH plates when I moved back to Massachusetts and got MA ones.

dr_sm_a t1_jdvpkmu wrote on March 27, 2023 at 3:27 PM

it seems some states let you do that.

caffeine5000 t1_jdvu8jt wrote on March 27, 2023 at 3:57 PM

Yep! Texas is another one that lets you keep your plates.

tomphammer t1_jdw3hec wrote on March 27, 2023 at 4:57 PM

Yeah my partner moved here from Indiana and we just transferred her car. They didn’t take her plates, they took her paper registration.