Minnesota registration renewal happens online, by mail, or in person at your county deputy registrar

Minnesota lets you renew your vehicle registration through three channels: the online system at state.mn.us, by mailing a renewal notice to your county, or by visiting a deputy registrar's office in person. The online route is fastest — you can complete it in minutes if you have your current registration and a valid payment method. Mail takes about two weeks from when the office receives it. In-person renewal is when ready but requires a trip during office hours.

You'll need your current registration document, your vehicle identification number (VIN), and proof that your vehicle passed its most recent safety inspection (if Minnesota requires one for your vehicle class). Payment is by credit card, debit card, or electronic check online; by check or money order by mail; or by cash, check, or card in person.

The renewal fee depends on your vehicle's weight and age. A passenger car typically costs between $135 and $180 for a one-year renewal, but this varies. Trucks, vans, and specialty vehicles have different rates. You can find the exact fee for your vehicle on the state website before you start the process.

Key Takeaways

  • Online renewal at state.mn.us is the fastest option and takes about five minutes if you have your current registration handy.
  • Your registration renewal notice arrives in the mail about 30 days before your expiration date and includes your renewal fee amount.
  • You must have a current safety inspection on file with the state before renewing; if your vehicle is overdue for inspection, you cannot renew online.
  • Deputy registrar offices are located in every county and can renew your registration when ready in person, but wait times vary by location.
  • If you miss your renewal important date, you can still renew, but driving an expired registration is illegal and can result in a traffic citation.

Renewing online through the state website

Go to state.mn.us/vehicles and select the registration renewal option. You'll enter your vehicle identification number, current registration number, and the last four digits of your Social Security number or tax ID. The system will pull up your vehicle record and show you the renewal fee.

Review the vehicle information on screen to make sure it matches your records. If anything is wrong — the owner name, address, or vehicle details — you'll need to correct it before paying. Once you confirm everything is correct, you can pay by credit card, debit card, or electronic check. Your new registration will be mailed to you within 7 to 10 business days.

Online renewal works only if your vehicle has a current safety inspection on file. If your inspection is expired or missing, the system will tell you and you'll need to get an inspection first or renew by mail or in person instead.

Renewing by mail

Your renewal notice arrives about 30 days before your registration expires. It includes a prepaid envelope, your renewal fee amount, and instructions. Fill out the notice, include a check or money order for the exact amount shown, and mail it back in the envelope provided.

Processing takes about two weeks from the date the county office receives your envelope. Mail delivery itself can add another week on each end, so plan to send it at least three weeks before your expiration date if you want to avoid driving with an expired registration. If you lose your renewal notice, you can request a duplicate by calling your county deputy registrar's office.

Mail renewal also requires a current safety inspection on file. If your inspection is expired, contact your county office before mailing to find out whether you can renew by mail or must renew in person after getting a new inspection.

Renewing in person at a deputy registrar

Every Minnesota county has at least one deputy registrar's office where you can renew in person. Bring your current registration, proof of a current safety inspection, and a valid payment method (cash, check, or card). The office will process your renewal when ready and issue you a temporary registration document on the spot. Your permanent registration will arrive by mail within 7 to 10 business days.

Deputy registrar offices are open during standard business hours, usually 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays. Some larger offices stay open until 6 p.m. or open on Saturday mornings. Wait times vary — busy locations in the Twin Cities area can have lines of 30 minutes or more, while rural offices may have no wait. Call ahead or check your county's website to find the office nearest you and its current hours.

In-person renewal is your only option if your safety inspection is expired and you need to renew when ready. You can get a safety inspection at any licensed inspection station (usually a repair shop or tire dealer) and then go directly to the deputy registrar to complete your renewal the same day.

Safety inspection requirements

Minnesota requires a safety inspection for most vehicles every two years. Your inspection must be current before you can renew your registration. If your inspection is expired or you've never had one on file, you must get a new inspection before the state will process your renewal.

Licensed inspection stations include repair shops, tire dealers, and some gas stations. An inspection costs between $15 and $25 depending on the station. The inspection takes about 15 minutes and checks your brakes, lights, wipers, horn, and steering. Once you pass, the station sends the results to the state electronically, and they appear in your vehicle record within one business day.

If your vehicle fails inspection, the station will tell you what needs to be fixed. You can have the repairs done and return for a retest, or go to a different station. Once you pass, you can renew your registration when ready online, by mail, or in person.

What to do if your registration has already expired

Driving with an expired registration is illegal in Minnesota and can result in a traffic citation and fine. If your registration has expired, you can still renew it at any time — there is no grace period, but there is also no penalty for renewing late beyond the citation you might receive if stopped.

Renew as soon as you can through any of the three methods. If you need to drive before your new registration arrives, you can renew in person at a deputy registrar and get a temporary registration document when ready. Online and mail renewals will take several days to arrive, so in-person renewal is your fastest option if you're already expired.

If you were cited for an expired registration, you can bring your new registration to the court listed on the citation to show that you have since renewed. The court may dismiss or reduce the citation depending on how long your registration was expired and your driving record.

Changing address or vehicle information during renewal

If you've moved, changed your name, or need to update other information on your registration, you can make those changes during renewal. Online, the system will prompt you to confirm your address and let you update it if needed. By mail, write the changes on your renewal notice before sending it back. In person, tell the deputy registrar what needs to be changed and they'll update it while processing your renewal.

Some changes — like adding or removing an owner — require more than a renewal and may need a separate form or visit. If you're unsure whether your change can be handled during renewal, call your county deputy registrar's office before you start the process.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew my registration if my vehicle inspection is expired?

No. You must have a current safety inspection on file before renewing online or by mail. If your inspection is expired, get a new one at any licensed inspection station, then renew. In-person renewal at a deputy registrar can happen the same day you get your inspection.

How long does it take to get my new registration after I renew?

Online and mail renewals take 7 to 10 business days to arrive by mail after the state processes them. In-person renewal gives you a temporary registration when ready and your permanent one arrives within 7 to 10 business days. Mail processing itself takes about two weeks from when the office receives your envelope.

What happens if I drive with an expired registration?

You can be cited by law enforcement and fined. Renew as soon as you can. If you're cited, you can bring your new registration to the court to show you've since renewed, which may help reduce the penalty.

Can I renew my registration if I've moved out of state?

You can renew your Minnesota registration by mail or online even if you've moved, but you'll need to update your address during the renewal process. If you've moved permanently and no longer own the vehicle in Minnesota, you should not renew — contact your county deputy registrar about canceling the registration instead.

What if I lost my renewal notice?

Call your county deputy registrar's office and request a duplicate renewal notice. You can also renew online or in person without the notice — you'll just need your current registration number and VIN. If you're renewing by mail, the office can mail you a new notice or you can pay the fee shown on the state website.