Minnesota car registration happens through your county's deputy registrar office, not a state office

Minnesota does not have a single state registration office. Instead, you register your vehicle at a deputy registrar — usually located in your county courthouse, a city hall, or a dedicated DMV office. Each county runs its own registration system, so the exact location and hours depend on where you live. You can find your county's deputy registrar by searching "[your county name] deputy registrar" online or calling your county auditor's office.

Registration in Minnesota is tied to your vehicle's title. You cannot register a car without proof of ownership, and you cannot transfer ownership without registering it in the new owner's name. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes if you have all required documents, though some offices accept mail-in registration for renewals.

Minnesota requires registration every two years. Your registration expires on the last day of the month printed on your plate sticker. You will receive a renewal notice in the mail about 30 days before expiration, but the state does not send reminders — it is your responsibility to renew before the important date.

Key Takeaways

  • Register your vehicle at your county's deputy registrar office, not a state office, and bring your title, proof of ownership, and proof of Minnesota residency.
  • Minnesota registration is valid for two years and expires on the last day of the month shown on your plate sticker.
  • You must register a vehicle within 10 days of purchase, even if you are still waiting for the title to arrive in the mail.
  • Registration fees vary by vehicle weight and county, and you will also pay a $10 title fee if you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Minnesota.
  • You can renew registration by mail, online through some county offices, or in person, depending on your county's options.

What documents you need to bring

Bring your vehicle's title or proof of ownership. If you just bought the car, you may not have the title yet — the seller's bank or the dealership holds it until the loan is paid off or the sale is complete. In that case, bring the bill of sale, the dealer's paperwork, or a letter from the lienholder (the bank or finance company) stating that you own the vehicle. The deputy registrar will accept these temporary documents and issue a registration while you wait for the title to arrive.

Bring proof of Minnesota residency: a utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 30 days. A driver's license alone is not enough. If you moved recently and your address has not updated yet, bring a piece of mail from the state or a government agency showing your new address.

Bring proof of vehicle identification. The deputy registrar will inspect your vehicle's Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), which is stamped on the driver's side of the dashboard and visible from outside the car. You do not need to bring the car itself — a photo of the VIN plate or a copy of your insurance card showing the VIN is usually accepted. Some counties require an in-person inspection; call ahead to confirm.

Bring your Social Security number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Minnesota uses this to verify your identity and prevent duplicate registrations.

Registration fees and what they cover

Minnesota registration fees are based on your vehicle's gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) — the maximum weight the vehicle is designed to carry, including passengers and cargo. This is not the same as the car's actual weight. You can find the GVWR on a label inside the driver's door jamb or in your owner's manual. Fees range from about $35 for a small sedan to $200 or more for a heavy truck or SUV.

If you are registering a vehicle in Minnesota for the first time, you will also pay a $10 title fee. This is a one-time charge. Renewal registrations do not include a title fee.

Some counties add a local wheel tax — usually $5 to $10 per vehicle — that goes toward road maintenance in that county. Not all counties charge this tax. Ask the deputy registrar whether your county has one.

Your registration fee covers your license plate, registration sticker, and the right to drive on Minnesota roads for two years. It does not include emissions testing, which is required in some counties (see below).

Emissions testing requirements by county

Seven Minnesota counties require emissions testing before you can register or renew: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington. These are all in the Twin Cities metro area. If you live in one of these counties, you must pass an emissions test within 90 days before you register or renew.

You can take the test at any state-certified emissions testing station. The test costs about $15 to $20 and takes 10 to 15 minutes. The station will give you a certificate showing the results. Bring this certificate to the deputy registrar when you register.

If your vehicle fails the emissions test, you have 30 days to repair it and retest. Some repairs are covered by your vehicle's warranty if the car is less than eight years old. If you cannot afford repairs, some nonprofits in the Twin Cities area offer low-cost repair information — ask your county's environmental office for a referral.

If you live outside these seven counties, you do not need an emissions test to register your vehicle.

Registering a vehicle you just bought

You must register a vehicle within 10 days of purchase, even if you do not yet have the title. If you buy from a dealership, they will give you a temporary registration document that is valid for about 30 days. Use this to drive legally while you complete the permanent registration at the deputy registrar's office.

If you buy from a private seller, ask them to sign the title and give you a bill of sale. If the title is still held by a bank (because the seller still owes money on the loan), the bank will send it to you directly once the loan is paid off. In the meantime, bring the bill of sale and any paperwork from the seller to the deputy registrar. They will issue a temporary registration good for 30 days while you wait for the title.

Bring the same documents as for a regular registration: proof of ownership, proof of Minnesota residency, proof of the VIN, and your Social Security number. If the vehicle is financed, bring the loan paperwork showing the lienholder's name and address. Minnesota will list the lienholder on your registration and title.

Renewing your registration

Minnesota sends renewal notices about 30 days before your registration expires. The notice includes a renewal form and instructions for renewing by mail or online. You do not have to go to the deputy registrar's office to renew unless your address has changed or your vehicle information has changed.

To renew by mail, fill out the form, include a check or money order for the renewal fee, and mail it to the address on the notice. Processing takes about two weeks. Your new sticker will arrive by mail.

Some counties allow online renewal through their websites. Search "[your county name] vehicle registration renewal" to see if your county offers this option. Online renewal is usually faster than mail renewal.

If you renew in person at the deputy registrar's office, bring your renewal notice, proof of residency if your address has changed, and payment. The new sticker is issued when ready. If your vehicle is in an emissions-testing county, you must also bring a current emissions test certificate.

Transferring registration to a new owner

When you sell your vehicle, the new owner must register it in their name within 10 days. You do not need to do anything except sign the title and give it to the buyer. However, you should notify your insurance company that you no longer own the vehicle, and you can request that the state remove your name from the registration to avoid liability if the new owner gets a ticket or is in an accident.

The new owner brings the signed title, their proof of residency, and their Social Security number to the deputy registrar. They pay the registration fee and receive a new plate and sticker. The old plate is no longer valid once the new registration is issued.

If the vehicle is financed, the new owner's lender will need to be listed on the title. The buyer should coordinate with their bank before going to the deputy registrar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I move to a different Minnesota county?

You do not need to re-register your vehicle. Your registration is valid statewide. However, if you move to a county that requires emissions testing and your current county does not, you will need to pass an emissions test before your next renewal. Notify your insurance company of your address change.

Can I register a vehicle online in Minnesota?

Some counties allow online renewal for vehicles already registered in Minnesota, but you cannot complete an initial registration online. You must visit a deputy registrar's office in person for a new registration. Check your county's website to see if online renewal is available.

What happens if I drive with an expired registration?

Driving with an expired registration is a traffic violation. You can be stopped and fined. If your registration has expired, renew it when ready by mail, online, or in person. If you are stopped before you renew, bring proof that you have applied for renewal.

Do I need to register a vehicle if I only drive it on private property?

No. Registration is required only for vehicles driven on public roads. If you use a vehicle only on your own property or a private track, you do not need to register it. However, you still need a title if you own it.

What if my vehicle's title is held by a bank?

Bring the loan paperwork or a letter from the bank stating that you own the vehicle. The deputy registrar will register the vehicle in your name and list the bank as the lienholder. Once you pay off the loan, the bank will send you the title. You do not need to re-register the vehicle.