
The vehicle registration certificate is a document issued by the vehicle office to the vehicle owner. It is only issued after confirming that the vehicle information has been entered into the system during the license plate registration process. Below is relevant information about the vehicle registration certificate: 1. The vehicle registration certificate serves as the legal proof of vehicle ownership, kept by the vehicle owner and not carried with the vehicle; 2. The information section of the vehicle registration certificate must clearly display the vehicle type, brand, model, chassis number, engine number, whether it is imported or domestically produced, fuel type, displacement, manufacturer, wheelbase, track width, tire specifications, how the vehicle was obtained, and its usage nature; 3. It includes the manufacturing date and issuance date, bears the seal of the issuing authority, and indicates in the remarks whether the vehicle has been mortgaged (including the number of times), and whether it has been transferred (including the number of transfers).

When I first bought my new car, I was also puzzled about when I would get this green booklet. Later, I learned from experience: If you paid in full, you usually get this little green booklet on the same day after completing the registration procedures at the vehicle office. However, if you bought the car with a loan, the vehicle management office would issue the certificate, but the bank or financial company typically holds it as collateral registration, and you can only get it back after repaying the loan. I remember the salesperson reminded me to carefully check if the VIN, engine number on the certificate match the actual vehicle—this is very important. You don’t need to carry the booklet with you daily; just keep it locked in a safe place at home. Replacing it is particularly troublesome and even requires a newspaper declaration.

Last week, I accompanied my friend to pick up his new car and specifically asked the salesperson about this big green book (vehicle registration certificate). The salesperson said that in most tier-4 cities nowadays, after the new car undergoes inspection and license plate registration at the DMV, the certificate will be handed over to the owner along with the vehicle license. However, it's different for installment purchases—the financial company will directly take the registration certificate to process the mortgage and won't return it by mail until the loan is fully repaid. My friend opted for a three-year installment plan, and the salesperson advised him to note the loan completion date and proactively contact the financial institution to retrieve it, as they might not reach out to him. By the way, replacing this green book is both time-consuming and costly, so it's recommended to take a photo and save it on your as a backup once received.

When transferring ownership of a , the vehicle registration certificate is frequently handled. Buyers should pay special attention: after the transaction is completed, the original owner must hand over the registration certificate to you on the spot. The vehicle management office will print the new owner's information on the second page of the registration certificate when issuing the new license plate, completing the entire transfer chain. Last year, there was a dispute where the original owner hid the registration certificate, making the vehicle transfer impossible. A reminder to all friends buying used cars: before signing the contract, make sure the seller can provide the complete registration certificate, otherwise you may end up with a mortgaged or seized vehicle. After the transfer, remember to check the certificate for any records of pledge registration.

Experience sharing from those who have reissued the vehicle registration certificate: If you find the green book (vehicle registration certificate) missing, go to the DMV immediately. The process has been simplified now, requiring only the vehicle owner to bring their ID card and driving license for the procedure. The staff will first check the vehicle records, and after confirmation, you will be asked to fill out an application form. Some places may also require a newspaper announcement for the loss. Generally, you can get a new certificate within fifteen working days, but the information will be reprinted with a note indicating it's a reissue. A reminder to everyone: don't easily trust scalpers who claim they can expedite the process—government service centers are quite efficient now. It's best to laminate the registration certificate to prevent water damage and edge wear that could blur the information.

As a car owner who has gone through the mortgage and release process, let me highlight the registration certificate procedure for financed vehicles. When I took out a three-year auto loan, I saw financial institution staff handling the mortgage registration at the DMV window on the delivery day. After paying off the balance, remember to proactively contact the lending company for release documents. Last year, I brought the settlement certificate and power of attorney mailed by the finance company to the DMV for release, which took only ten minutes to complete. The window assistant even taught me how to check the registration certificate status: vehicles with mortgage stamps require release before resale. Nowadays, mobile apps can also check vehicle mortgage status, helping avoid purchasing problematic used cars.


