Register your car in Missouri through the Department of Revenue

To register a car in Missouri, you submit an process to your county assessor's office along with proof of ownership, proof of insurance, and a completed Form 108 (process for Missouri Title and Registration). The assessor's office processes the process, issues your title and registration, and you receive them by mail. The entire process typically takes two to four weeks from the date you submit everything.

You do not have to visit a state office in Jefferson City. Each of Missouri's 114 counties has an assessor's office that handles registrations for vehicles garaged in that county. You go to the assessor's office in the county where you live or where the vehicle will be primarily kept.

Key Takeaways

  • You must register your car in the county where it is garaged, and you do this at the county assessor's office, not a state DMV.
  • Form 108 (process for Missouri Title and Registration), proof of ownership, and proof of current insurance are the three documents you need before you walk in.
  • If you are buying from a dealer, the dealer often handles the paperwork and submits it on your behalf, but you still pay the fees directly to the assessor's office.
  • Registration fees in Missouri are based on the vehicle's age and weight, and they vary by county because each county sets its own assessment fee.
  • Your registration is valid for two years from the month you receive it, and you renew by submitting a renewal notice that arrives in the mail.

What documents you need before you go

Gather these documents before you visit the assessor's office. You will need the title or proof of ownership — this is the document showing you own the vehicle. If you are buying from a private seller, ask for the title in person before you hand over money. If you are buying from a dealer, the dealer will give you a temporary registration document and handle the title paperwork. If you are registering a vehicle you already own and the title is in your name, bring that title.

You also need proof of insurance. Missouri law requires all registered vehicles to carry liability insurance. Bring your insurance card, a declarations page from your insurance company, or an email confirmation from your insurer showing your policy number and coverage dates. The assessor's office will not register the vehicle without this.

Complete Form 108 before you arrive. You can read it from the Missouri Department of Revenue website or pick up a copy at the assessor's office. The form asks for your name, address, the vehicle identification number (VIN), the vehicle's make and model, and the odometer reading. If you are registering a used vehicle, you will also need to list the odometer mileage at the time of purchase.

If someone else is on the title with you, both owners should sign Form 108. If you are registering the vehicle in a business name, bring documentation showing you are authorized to act on behalf of that business.

Registration fees and what they cover

Missouri registration fees are not flat. The state charges based on the vehicle's age and weight, and each county adds its own assessment fee on top. A new vehicle typically costs more to register than a five-year-old vehicle of the same weight. A heavy truck costs more than a sedan.

The state portion of the fee covers your registration and title. The county assessment fee varies — some counties charge under $20, others charge $50 or more. You can call your county assessor's office and give them the vehicle's year, make, model, and weight to get an exact quote before you go. You pay the full amount at the assessor's office, usually by cash, check, or card.

Your registration is valid for two years from the month you receive it. When it expires, you will receive a renewal notice in the mail. You can renew by mail, online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website, or in person at the assessor's office. Renewal is simpler than initial registration because you do not need to bring the title again — just proof of insurance and the renewal notice.

If you are buying from a dealer versus a private seller

When you buy from a Missouri dealer, the dealer usually handles the registration paperwork for you. The dealer will give you a temporary registration document good for 30 days while the permanent registration is being processed. You still need to provide proof of insurance to the dealer before you leave the lot. The dealer submits Form 108 and the title paperwork to the assessor's office on your behalf, but you are responsible for paying the registration fees — either to the dealer at the time of purchase or directly to the assessor's office.

When you buy from a private seller, you handle the registration yourself. Get the title signed over to you before you pay. Then take the title, Form 108, and proof of insurance to your county assessor's office within 30 days. Missouri does not issue a temporary registration for private sales, so do not drive the vehicle on public roads until you have submitted your process — you can be cited for driving an unregistered vehicle.

Some private sellers will meet you at the assessor's office so you can both sign the title in front of a staff member. This is optional but can prevent disputes later about whether the title was properly transferred.

Registering an out-of-state vehicle in Missouri

If you are moving to Missouri with a vehicle registered in another state, you have 30 days to register it in Missouri. Bring your out-of-state title or registration, Form 108, and proof of insurance to your county assessor's office. The assessor will process your Missouri title and registration. You do not need to keep the out-of-state registration — once Missouri issues your title, that becomes your proof of ownership.

If your out-of-state title has a lien on it (meaning a lender still owns the vehicle), bring documentation showing the lender's name and address. Missouri will note the lien on your new title. You cannot remove the lien until you pay off the loan.

Some states do not issue paper titles for older vehicles. If your previous state issued only a registration document, bring that along with any other ownership paperwork you have. Call your county assessor's office before you go to confirm what documents they will accept.

Special situations: Salvage titles, rebuilt titles, and vehicles without titles

If you are registering a vehicle with a salvage title (a vehicle that was declared a total loss by an insurance company), Missouri requires an inspection before registration. Schedule an inspection through the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Bring the salvage title and the vehicle to the inspection. Once the vehicle passes, you receive a salvage inspection certificate. Take that certificate, the salvage title, Form 108, and proof of insurance to the assessor's office.

A rebuilt title means the vehicle was previously salvaged but has been repaired and passed inspection. The process is the same as registering any other vehicle — bring the rebuilt title, Form 108, and proof of insurance to the assessor's office. No additional inspection is needed.

If you have a vehicle but no title — for example, you inherited a car and cannot locate the paperwork — you can request a duplicate title from the Missouri Department of Revenue. Fill out Form 108 and submit it with a statement explaining why you do not have the original title. The department will issue a new title in your name. This process takes longer than a standard registration, so contact the Department of Revenue directly for timing.

What happens after you submit your process

After you submit your completed Form 108, proof of ownership, and proof of insurance to the assessor's office, the office sends your paperwork to the Missouri Department of Revenue for processing. You will receive your title and registration by mail at the address you provided on Form 108. This usually takes two to four weeks, but can take longer during busy periods or if the department needs additional information from you.

Once you receive your registration, it is valid for two years. Keep it in your vehicle at all times — Missouri law requires you to show it to a police officer if you are stopped. Keep your title in a safe place at home. You will need it if you sell the vehicle, refinance a loan, or register it in another state.

If you do not receive your registration within four weeks, contact your county assessor's office. They can check the status of your process and tell you whether the Department of Revenue is still processing it or whether there is a problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I register a car in Missouri if I do not live there?

No. You must register a vehicle in the county where it is garaged — where you keep it most of the time. If you live out of state but own property in Missouri and keep a vehicle there, you can register it in that Missouri county. You would need to provide a Missouri address on Form 108.

What if I buy a car and the dealer does not submit the paperwork?

Contact the dealer when ready and ask them to submit the registration paperwork. If they refuse or go out of business, you can submit the paperwork yourself. Bring the title (signed over to you by the dealer), Form 108, and proof of insurance to your county assessor's office. You have 30 days from purchase to register the vehicle.

Do I need an inspection before I register a vehicle in Missouri?

No, not for a standard vehicle. Missouri does not require a safety inspection for registration. You only need an inspection if the vehicle has a salvage title. You do need proof of insurance, which your insurer will require you to have before they issue a policy.

What if my registration expires while I am waiting for the renewal to arrive?

Contact your county assessor's office and ask them to issue a temporary registration while you wait for the renewal notice. You can also renew online through the Missouri Department of Revenue website if you have your registration number and vehicle identification number (VIN) handy. Online renewal is faster than waiting for the renewal notice to arrive.

Can I register a vehicle that has a loan on it?

Yes. If you have a loan, the lender's name will appear on the title as a lienholder. You can still register the vehicle — just bring the title showing the lien, along with Form 108 and proof of insurance. The lien stays on the title until you pay off the loan. You cannot sell or transfer the vehicle until the lien is removed.