Where to get your car registration and what you need to bring
You get your car registration from your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Secretary of State, or equivalent agency — the name and location depend on which state you live in. Most states now let you start the process online or by mail, though you will need to visit in person at least once to verify your identity and the vehicle itself.
Before you go, gather these documents: proof of ownership (the title or bill of sale), proof of your identity (driver's license or passport), proof of your address (utility bill, lease, or bank statement), and proof of insurance. Some states also require a vehicle inspection report or emissions test, completed by a certified mechanic or testing station. Check your state's DMV website for the exact list, because requirements vary.
The registration fee depends on your state, the vehicle's weight or value, and sometimes its age. Fees range widely — some states charge under $100 for a standard passenger vehicle, others charge several hundred dollars. You will also pay a one-time title transfer fee if you are registering a vehicle you just bought. Many states offer online payment, which speeds up the process.
Key Takeaways
- You must register with your state's DMV or equivalent agency, and you will need proof of ownership, identity, address, and insurance before you start.
- Most states let you begin online or by mail, but you will need to visit in person at least once to verify your identity and inspect the vehicle.
- Registration fees vary by state and vehicle type, and you may also owe a title transfer fee if you recently bought the car.
- Your registration is valid for a set period — usually one to three years depending on your state — and you will need to renew it before it expires.
Starting the process online or by mail
Many states let you fill out the registration form on their DMV website and pay the fee online before you visit in person. This shortens your time at the office and reduces the chance you will be turned away for a missing document. Search "[your state] DMV registration" to find the official site — not a third-party service that charges extra.
If you prefer to mail documents, you can request a registration packet from your state's DMV or read the form from their website. Mail the completed form, your documents, and a check or money order to the address listed on the form. Processing by mail takes longer — usually two to four weeks — and you will not get your registration until the state receives and approves everything. Some states will not mail you a registration without an in-person visit first, so confirm this before you send anything.
What happens at your in-person visit
When you go to the DMV office, bring all original documents plus copies if the office requests them. A staff member will check that your documents match, verify your identity, and confirm the vehicle information against the title. They will also collect your fee and issue your registration — either on the spot or by mail within a few days, depending on your state.
Some states require a vehicle inspection at the DMV office itself, where an inspector checks the vehicle identification number (VIN) on your car against the title to confirm they match. This prevents registration of stolen vehicles. Other states accept an inspection report from a certified mechanic or inspection station, which you can get before your DMV visit. A few states do not require an inspection at all for new registrations, only for renewals.
Bring your vehicle with you if an inspection is required at the DMV office. If you are registering a vehicle you just bought and the title is still in the seller's name, bring the bill of sale as proof of purchase. The DMV will transfer the title to your name during the same visit.
How long registration takes and what you get
If you complete everything in person, you will usually leave with a temporary registration document that same day, valid for 30 to 60 days. Your permanent registration card arrives by mail within one to three weeks. Some states issue the permanent card on the spot if you complete the process entirely at the office.
Your registration card shows your name, address, vehicle identification number (VIN), license plate number, and the expiration date. Keep it in your vehicle at all times — police can ask to see it during a traffic stop. You will also receive license plates if you are registering a vehicle for the first time in your state. If you are moving from another state, you may be able to keep your old plates temporarily while you wait for new ones, depending on state rules.
Registration for vehicles with a loan or lease
If you are financing the vehicle through a loan, the lender holds the title until you pay off the loan. You can still register the vehicle in your name, but the lender's name will appear on the title as the lienholder. Bring the loan agreement or a letter from the lender showing they hold the title. The DMV will note this during registration.
If you are leasing, the leasing company holds the title and handles registration in most cases. Check your lease agreement to see whether you or the company is responsible. If you are responsible, follow the same process as a financed vehicle — bring proof that the leasing company holds the title, and they will be listed as the lienholder on your registration.
What to do if documents are missing or don't match
If your name on the title does not match your current legal name, bring a document showing the name change — a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order. If the title is in someone else's name and you are buying the vehicle, the seller must sign the title over to you before you register it. The DMV will not register a vehicle to someone other than the title holder without a bill of sale and proof of purchase.
If you cannot find the title, contact the previous owner or the lender who holds it and ask for a duplicate. If the vehicle was inherited, bring the death certificate and a will or court document showing you inherited it. If the title is lost and you cannot get a duplicate from the previous owner, your state's DMV can issue a replacement title — this usually requires an affidavit and takes longer than a standard registration.
Registering a vehicle from out of state
If you are moving to a new state and bringing a vehicle registered elsewhere, you will need to register it in your new state within a set time frame — usually 30 to 90 days after you move, depending on the state. Bring your out-of-state registration and title, proof of your new address, proof of insurance in your new state, and your identity documents.
Some states require an inspection of out-of-state vehicles, even if the previous state did not. Check your new state's DMV website for specific requirements. You will pay the registration fee for your new state, and in some cases you will also pay a title transfer fee. Your old registration and plates become invalid once you register in the new state.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register a car if I don't have a driver's license?
Yes. You need a form of government-issued photo ID — a passport, state ID card, or military ID will work. A driver's license is not required to own and register a vehicle, only to drive it.
What if I buy a car from a private seller and they don't have the title?
You cannot register the vehicle until the title is transferred to your name. Ask the seller to contact the DMV or the lender who holds the title and request a duplicate. If the seller cannot or will not do this, do not complete the purchase — you have no legal proof of ownership.
How long can I drive with a temporary registration?
Temporary registrations are usually valid for 30 to 60 days, depending on your state. Check the expiration date on your temporary document. You must have your permanent registration before the temporary one expires, or you are driving without valid registration.
Do I need to register my vehicle in the state where I live or where I keep it?
You register a vehicle in the state where you live, not where you keep it. If you move to a new state, you must register there within the time frame your new state allows — usually 30 to 90 days.
What happens if I register a vehicle but don't have insurance yet?
Most states require proof of insurance before they will issue registration. If you somehow register without insurance, you must obtain it before you drive the vehicle legally. Driving without both registration and insurance can result in fines and license suspension.