How to Renew Your Minnesota Vehicle Registration Online

You can renew your Minnesota vehicle tabs online through the Secretary of State website if your vehicle is registered in Minnesota and you have no safety or emissions violations

Minnesota's online tab renewal system lets you renew through the Secretary of State's website without visiting a branch office. The process takes about 10 minutes, and your new tabs arrive by mail within one to two weeks. You'll need your current registration card, vehicle identification number (VIN), and a payment method—credit card, debit card, or electronic check.

Not every vehicle can renew online. If your registration has a safety or emissions hold, if you're registering a vehicle for the first time in Minnesota, or if your address or vehicle information has changed significantly, you'll need to visit a branch office or use mail renewal instead. The online system also won't work if your registration has expired by more than two years.

Key Takeaways

Online renewal through the Secretary of State website works only if your current registration is valid and has no holds or violations.
You need your registration card, VIN, and a credit or debit card to complete the process, which takes about 10 minutes.
New tabs arrive by mail in one to two weeks, so renew before your current tabs expire if you need them when ready.
If your registration has a safety or emissions hold, you must visit a branch office or resolve the hold before renewing online.
The renewal fee varies by vehicle type and weight; the Secretary of State website shows the exact amount before you pay.

What you need before you start

Gather your current registration card—the paper document that came with your tabs. You'll also need your vehicle's VIN, which appears on your registration card, driver's license, or the dashboard on the driver's side. Have a credit card, debit card, or bank account information ready for payment. The Secretary of State accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and Discover, or you can pay by electronic check.

Check your registration card to confirm your address and vehicle information are correct. If you've moved, changed your name, or made major changes to the vehicle (like adding a trailer hitch or changing the body style), you cannot complete renewal online and must visit a branch office instead. The online system will reject your renewal if it detects a mismatch between what you enter and what's on file.

Steps to renew online through the Secretary of State

Go to the Minnesota Secretary of State website and select the vehicle registration renewal option. You'll be directed to enter your registration number (found on your registration card), VIN, and the last four digits of the phone number on file with your registration. The system will pull up your vehicle information and show you the renewal fee based on your vehicle's type and weight.

Review the information displayed to make sure it matches your registration card. If anything is incorrect, stop and contact the Secretary of State office by phone or visit a branch office—do not proceed with renewal if the details don't match. Once you confirm everything is correct, enter your payment information and complete the transaction. You'll receive a confirmation number when ready.

Print or save your confirmation number. Your new tabs will be mailed to the address on file within one to two weeks. If you don't receive them within three weeks, contact the Secretary of State with your confirmation number to check the status.

When online renewal won't work

The online system will reject your renewal if your vehicle has a safety or emissions hold. This happens when your vehicle failed an inspection or you haven't completed a required safety recall. You must resolve the hold before you can renew—visit a branch office with proof that the issue has been fixed, or contact the Secretary of State to find out what's required.

If your registration has expired by more than two years, you cannot renew online. The same applies if you're registering a vehicle in Minnesota for the first time, if you're adding a co-owner, or if you're changing the vehicle's use (from personal to commercial, for example). In these cases, visit a Secretary of State branch office or use mail renewal with the appropriate form.

Timing and delivery of your new tabs

Plan to renew at least two weeks before your current tabs expire if you need the new tabs right away. Mail delivery typically takes one to two weeks, but delays can happen during busy seasons or if your address is rural. If your tabs expire before the new ones arrive, you're still legally required to display valid tabs on your vehicle—driving with expired tabs can result in a citation.

If you need tabs when ready and cannot wait for mail delivery, visit a Secretary of State branch office in person. Branch offices can issue temporary tabs or new permanent tabs on the same day you explore. Some offices also offer walk-in service without an appointment, though wait times vary by location and time of day.

Troubleshooting common online renewal problems

If the system says your registration number or VIN is invalid, double-check that you've entered them correctly. Registration numbers and VINs are case-sensitive in some systems. Look at your registration card carefully—the registration number is usually at the top, and the VIN is a 17-character code. If you've entered them correctly and the system still rejects them, your registration may have been cancelled or there may be a hold on your account.

If the system says you cannot renew online but you believe you should be able to, contact the Secretary of State office by phone. They can tell you whether there's a hold, whether your registration has expired beyond the two-year window, or whether there's another reason the online system won't process your renewal. Have your registration card and VIN ready when you call.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I renew online if my registration is about to expire?

Yes, you can renew online up to one month before your tabs expire. The Secretary of State recommends renewing at least two weeks early to allow time for mail delivery. If your tabs have already expired, you cannot renew online and must visit a branch office or use mail renewal.

What if I don't receive my new tabs within three weeks?

Contact the Secretary of State with your confirmation number and ask them to check the status. If the tabs are lost in the mail, they can issue a replacement. In the meantime, you may be able to get a temporary registration document from a branch office if your current tabs have expired.

Do I have to renew online, or can I still go to a branch office?

Online renewal is optional. You can always visit a Secretary of State branch office or renew by mail if you prefer. Branch offices can complete renewal on the same day, while mail renewal takes several weeks. Choose the method that works best for your timeline.

Will I get a receipt for my online renewal payment?

Yes, you'll receive a confirmation number when ready after payment, and the Secretary of State will send a receipt to the email address on file or by mail. Keep your confirmation number in case you need to check the status of your tabs or contact the office about your renewal.

Can I renew online if I've moved to a different state?

No. If you've moved out of Minnesota, you need to transfer your registration to your new state or surrender your Minnesota registration. Contact the Secretary of State office to find out what documents you need to provide before you can complete the process.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical, financial, legal, or other professional advice. For decisions specific to your situation, consult a qualified professional. See our Editorial Policy.