Minnesota lets you renew your vehicle registration online through the Secretary of State's website, but not all vehicles and situations may have access to for the online route

You can renew your Minnesota registration online if your vehicle is passenger-class, your tabs have not expired more than two years ago, you have no outstanding violations or liens, and your address on file matches your current address. The process takes about 10 minutes and costs the same as renewing in person — the base registration fee plus any applicable taxes or surcharges for your vehicle type and county.

If your tabs expired more than two years ago, you have a lien on the vehicle, your address has changed and you have not updated it yet, or you drive a commercial or motorcycle registration, you must renew in person at a Deputy Registrar office or by mail. The online system will tell you when ready if your vehicle does not meet the requirements.

Key Takeaways

  • You renew online through the Minnesota Secretary of State website using your vehicle identification number (VIN), current tab number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or Minnesota driver's license number.
  • Online renewal works only for passenger vehicles with current or recently expired tabs, no outstanding violations, and a current address on file.
  • Payment is by credit card, debit card, or electronic check, and you receive your new tabs by mail within 7 to 10 business days.
  • If the online system rejects your vehicle, you can renew by mail or visit a Deputy Registrar office in your county.

What you need before you start the online renewal

Gather your current registration card or the tab number from your license plate before you begin. You will also need either the last four digits of your Social Security number or your Minnesota driver's license number. The system uses these to verify your identity.

Have a valid payment method ready — the Secretary of State accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or electronic check (ACH) from a U.S. bank account. You cannot pay by cash, check, or money order online.

Steps to renew online through the Secretary of State

Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State vehicle services website and select the renewal option. Enter your vehicle identification number (VIN), your current tab number, and your identifying information. The system will pull up your registration record and show you the renewal fee.

Review the fee breakdown, which includes the base registration fee, any applicable county tax, and any special fees tied to your vehicle class or emissions testing requirements. Confirm your mailing address — this is where your new tabs will be sent. If your address has changed, update it before you pay, because the system will not process the renewal if the address on file does not match your current one.

Enter your payment information and submit. You will receive a confirmation number on screen and by email. Your new tabs will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days. You can use your confirmation number to check the status of your tabs on the Secretary of State website.

When you cannot renew online and what to do instead

The online system will reject your renewal if your tabs expired more than two years ago, you have an outstanding violation or lien, your address on file does not match your current address, or your vehicle is registered as commercial, motorcycle, or another non-passenger class. In these cases, you must renew by mail or in person.

To renew by mail, read the registration renewal form from the Secretary of State website, fill it out, and mail it with a check or money order to the address on the form. Processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. To renew in person, find your county's Deputy Registrar office using the office locator on the Secretary of State website, bring your current registration card and proof of insurance, and pay in cash or card. In-person renewal is usually processed the same day.

Proof of insurance and emissions testing

Minnesota requires proof of current auto insurance to renew your registration, whether you renew online, by mail, or in person. The Secretary of State's online system does not ask you to upload or attach proof — instead, the state verifies your insurance electronically through the Insurance Information Exchange. If your insurance information does not match what is on file, the renewal may be delayed or rejected.

If you recently switched insurance companies, make sure your new insurer has reported your policy to the state before you attempt to renew online. This usually happens within one business day of your policy start date. If you are unsure whether your insurance is on file, call the Secretary of State's vehicle services line at 651-296-6911 before you start the online renewal.

Emissions testing is required in the Twin Cities metro area (Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota, Anoka, Washington, and Scott counties) for most vehicles. If your vehicle is due for emissions testing, you must complete it before you renew. The online system will tell you if testing is required for your vehicle and county.

What happens if your online renewal is rejected

If the system rejects your renewal, it will display a reason on screen. Common reasons include an address mismatch, expired tabs older than two years, an outstanding violation, or a lien on the vehicle. Write down the reason and the confirmation number if one was issued.

If the issue is an address mismatch, you can update your address at a Deputy Registrar office or by mail using the address change form on the Secretary of State website. Once your address is updated, you can try the online renewal again. If the issue is a violation or lien, you must resolve it before renewal is possible — contact the Secretary of State's office for details on what needs to be cleared.

Tracking your new tabs after you renew

After you complete your online renewal, you will receive a confirmation email with a confirmation number. Use this number to check the status of your tabs on the Secretary of State website. The status page will show whether your tabs are being processed, ready to ship, or out for delivery.

Your new tabs should arrive within 7 to 10 business days. If they do not arrive within 14 business days, contact the Secretary of State's office with your confirmation number. Until your new tabs arrive, you can legally drive with your old tabs as long as your registration has been renewed and you have the confirmation email as proof.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew online if my tabs expired more than a year ago?

Only if they expired within two years. If your tabs expired more than two years ago, the online system will reject your renewal and you must renew by mail or in person at a Deputy Registrar office. The state treats tabs older than two years as a lapsed registration rather than a straightforward renewal.

What if my address changed since I last registered?

Update your address at a Deputy Registrar office or by mail before you attempt online renewal. The online system will not process a renewal if your address on file does not match the one you enter. Once your address is updated in the system, you can renew online.

Do I need to print anything or bring anything to the mailbox?

No. Online renewal is entirely digital. You do not print anything or mail anything. Your new tabs are mailed to you automatically once your payment is processed. You only need your confirmation number if you want to check the status online.

What if my payment is declined?

The system will tell you when ready if your card or bank account was declined. You can try again with a different payment method. If you continue to have trouble, you can renew by mail or visit a Deputy Registrar office to pay in person.

Can I renew online for a vehicle with a lien?

No. The online system will reject any vehicle with an outstanding lien. You must renew in person or by mail. Some lienholders will mail you a lien release once the loan is paid off — if you have one, include it with your renewal process.