Massachusetts Bonded Title

Yes. The governing statute is M.G.L. c. 90D § 12 (“Withholding of certificate; bond”). It applies in a specific situation: the registrar isn't satisfied as to the ownership of the vehicle, or isn't satisfied that there are no undisclosed security interests in it. In that case the statute gives the registrar — not the applicant — a choice between two responses:

• Withhold the title until you present documents reasonably sufficient to satisfy the registrar as to your ownership and the absence of undisclosed security interests; or
• Require a bond as a condition of issuing the certificate of title.

If you're unsure whether § 12 applies to your situation, confirm with the Massachusetts RMV (see Sources below).

The bond amount is set by statute. Under § 12 the bond is in an amount equal to “one and one half times the value of the vehicle as determined by the registrar.” So the multiplier is fixed at 1.5×, and the value the multiplier is applied to is the one the registrar determines.

These are illustrations of the statutory 1.5× formula only. The bond amount is the surety's maximum exposure under the bond. It is not a price or a premium.

The statute does not state how the registrar determines that value (for example, whether a guidebook figure, an appraisal, or an inspection is used). That method is not in § 12 — confirm with the RMV how it values a vehicle for this purpose.

The statute describes the legal path, not the paperwork. What § 12 establishes:

1. The registrar evaluates ownership. If the registrar is not satisfied as to ownership or the absence of undisclosed security interests, § 12 is triggered.
2. The registrar chooses the response. The registrar may register the vehicle and either withhold the title pending sufficient documents, or require the bond as a condition of issuing the title.
3. If a bond is required, it is set at 1.5× the registrar-determined value and conditioned to protect the parties described below.

The operational details — the exact RMV application form and its number, any inspection requirement, the filing fee, and where the package is submitted — could not be verified from an official Massachusetts source for this page (the RMV's form and fee pages were not retrievable). Do not rely on a specific form number or fee from third-party guides. Confirm the current forms, fees, and filing steps with the RMV before you file (see Sources).

Because the specific RMV forms and fees could not be verified against an official Massachusetts source, this guide states only what the statute establishes and marks everything else “confirm with the RMV.” Do not treat any form number or fee you see elsewhere as confirmed.

For general, non-Massachusetts-specific background on the bonded-title process, see how to get a bonded title. Dealers and title-service providers can start at title professionals.

The statutory term is three years. Under § 12, the bond — and any deposit accompanying it — is returned at the end of three years, or earlier if the vehicle is no longer registered in Massachusetts and the current certificate of title is surrendered to the registrar.

There is one exception: the bond (or deposit) is not returned while the registrar has been notified that an action to recover on the bond is pending.

Under § 12 the bond is executed by you and either backed by a cash deposit with the registrar or also executed by a surety authorized to do business in Massachusetts. How the RMV handles a cash deposit in practice — confirm with the RMV.

The bond is conditioned to indemnify the people who could be harmed because the title was issued to you despite a defect in ownership or an undisclosed lien. Under § 12 that includes prior owners, lienholders, later purchasers, and others holding security interests in the vehicle. They can recover for any expense, loss, or damage — including reasonable attorney's fees — caused by the issuance of the title, and they may sue on the bond to do so.

The surety's total liability to all persons combined is capped at the bond amount.

Section 12 does not apply to a vehicle described in subsection (e) of M.G.L. c. 90D § 20 — the section headed “Total loss salvage motor vehicles; surrender of certificate of title; salvage title.” That subsection covers two cases. An insurer that has paid a total-loss claim but cannot obtain the certificate of title may apply for a salvage title in its own name after at least two written attempts to the last known owner and any known lienholder to obtain the title. A Class 2 or Class 3 dealer holding an insurance-claim vehicle that has been abandoned at its facility for more than 30 days may do the same after at least two written attempts to have the vehicle removed. If you are not that insurer or dealer, confirm with the RMV which process applies.

• M.G.L. c. 90D § 12: Withholding of certificate; bond

  Governing statute: the registrar's withhold-or-bond choice, the 1.5× bond amount, who the bond protects, and the 3-year term.

• M.G.L. c. 90D § 20: Total loss salvage motor vehicles; surrender of certificate of title; salvage title

  The salvage exclusion from § 12.

• Massachusetts RMV: Forms and Applications

  Confirm current title forms and fees here; not independently verified for this page.

Statutes and RMV procedures change. Verify against the live malegislature.gov and mass.gov pages above before filing. Facts on this page were checked against the statute on 2026-10-11.