What you need to register a car in Missouri

To register a car in Missouri, you need to visit your local Missouri Department of Revenue office in person with proof of ownership, proof of residency, and a completed process form. The process takes about 15 to 30 minutes if you have all documents ready. You will pay a registration fee based on your vehicle's weight and age, plus a $3 administrative fee.

Missouri does not allow online registration for new vehicles or out-of-state transfers. If you are registering a vehicle you just bought from a dealer, the dealer typically handles the paperwork and sends it to the state on your behalf, but you still need to visit the revenue office to pay fees and receive your plates. If you bought from a private seller, you handle the entire process yourself.

Key Takeaways

  • You must register in person at a Missouri Department of Revenue office with your title, proof of residency, and a completed Form 108 or 108.1.
  • Registration fees depend on your vehicle's weight and age; a typical passenger car costs between $150 and $250 for the first registration.
  • Dealer sales usually mean the dealer files paperwork with the state, but you still pay fees and pick up plates at the revenue office.
  • Private sales require you to bring the signed title, bill of sale, and proof of the seller's identity to complete the transfer yourself.
  • Missouri plates are valid for two years; you renew by mail or online unless your vehicle information changes.

Documents you need to bring

Bring your vehicle title (the document proving ownership), a government-issued photo ID, and proof that you live in Missouri. Proof of residency can be a utility bill, lease agreement, mortgage statement, or bank statement dated within the last 60 days. If someone else is on the title with you, both owners should be present, or the absent owner must sign a power of attorney form.

You also need a completed Form 108 (process for Missouri Title and Registration) or Form 108.1 if you are registering a vehicle for the first time in Missouri. read these from the Missouri Department of Revenue website or pick up a copy at the revenue office. If you are transferring from another state, bring your out-of-state title or registration as well.

If you bought the car from a dealer, bring the Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) or the dealer's paperwork showing the sale. If you bought from a private seller, bring the signed title and a bill of sale (a straightforward written record of the sale price and date, signed by both you and the seller). The bill of sale is not required by law but helps the state process your transfer faster.

Registration fees and what they cover

Missouri calculates registration fees based on your vehicle's weight and age. A new vehicle (0 to 3 years old) typically costs $150 to $250 for a two-year registration, depending on weight. Older vehicles cost less: a vehicle 10 years or older might cost $80 to $120. The state publishes a fee schedule on the Department of Revenue website, organized by vehicle weight class.

In addition to the base fee, you pay a $3 administrative fee and a $1 fee for the registration card itself. If you need new plates (which you do for a first registration or if your old plates are damaged), there is no separate plate fee—it is included in your registration cost. You pay in cash, check, or card at the revenue office.

Your registration covers two years of legal operation in Missouri. It includes a registration sticker that goes on your windshield and a registration card you keep in your vehicle. You do not need to renew your plates every two years—you keep the same plates and straightforward renew your registration by mail or online when the two years are up.

Registering a vehicle bought from a dealer

When you buy a car from a Missouri dealer, the dealer is responsible for filing the title process and registration paperwork with the Department of Revenue. The dealer will give you a temporary registration document (usually valid for 30 days) so you can drive the car home and to the revenue office. Keep this document in your vehicle.

Within a few days, the dealer sends your paperwork to the state. You then have 10 days to visit a Missouri Department of Revenue office to pay your registration fees and receive your permanent plates and registration card. Bring your temporary registration, proof of residency, and a photo ID. The dealer should have already submitted your title process, so you do not need to bring the title itself, but ask the dealer for a receipt showing what they filed.

If the dealer has not filed the paperwork within a week, call the dealership to confirm they submitted it. If there is a delay, you can still drive on the temporary registration as long as it has not expired. Once you pay fees at the revenue office, you will receive your plates when ready or within a few days, depending on office volume.

Registering a vehicle bought from a private seller

When you buy a car from a private seller, you are responsible for the entire registration process. The seller must sign the title over to you and provide a bill of sale (a written record of the sale). The title is the most important document—without it, you cannot register the vehicle. Make sure the seller's signature is notarized or witnessed, depending on what the title requires.

Take the signed title, bill of sale, proof of residency, and a photo ID to your local Missouri Department of Revenue office. Bring the seller's driver's license or ID as well so the office can verify the seller's identity. Complete Form 108 at the office or bring it filled out in advance. Pay your registration fees, and you will receive your plates and registration card on the spot or within a few days.

Do not drive the vehicle before you register it, even with a bill of sale. Missouri law requires registration before operation on public roads. If you need to move the car before registration is complete, ask the seller to keep their plates on it temporarily, or arrange a tow. Once you have paid fees and received your plates, you can legally drive.

Out-of-state vehicle transfers to Missouri

If you are moving to Missouri with a vehicle registered in another state, you must register it in Missouri within 30 days of establishing residency. Bring your out-of-state title or registration, proof of Missouri residency, a photo ID, and a completed Form 108. You do not need to surrender your old plates—just bring the out-of-state registration document.

The revenue office will process your title transfer and issue Missouri plates. Your out-of-state title will be exchanged for a Missouri title. If your out-of-state title has a lien (meaning a lender still owns the vehicle), the lender's information transfers to your Missouri title automatically. The registration fee is based on your vehicle's weight and age, calculated the same way as a new Missouri registration.

Some states issue titles that are difficult for Missouri to process, particularly if the title is damaged or missing information. If the revenue office cannot read or verify your out-of-state title, they may ask you to contact your previous state's motor vehicle department for a duplicate. This can add one to two weeks to the process, so start early if you are moving.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Missouri registration take?

If you register in person with all documents, you receive your plates and registration card the same day or within a few days. If you are transferring from another state or the dealer is filing paperwork, allow 7 to 14 days for the state to process the title transfer before you visit the revenue office to pay fees.

Can I register my car online in Missouri?

No. Missouri requires you to register in person at a Department of Revenue office for new registrations and out-of-state transfers. You can renew an existing Missouri registration online or by mail if your vehicle information has not changed and you do not need new plates.

What if the title has two owners and we are not married?

Both owners should visit the revenue office together with photo IDs. If one owner cannot attend, the absent owner must sign a power of attorney form authorizing the other owner to complete the registration. The form is available from the Department of Revenue.

Do I need a bill of sale when buying from a private seller?

A bill of sale is not legally required, but it helps the Department of Revenue process your transfer faster and provides proof of the sale price if there is ever a dispute. Write one yourself—it just needs the vehicle details, sale price, date, and signatures from both you and the seller.

What happens if I register late?

Missouri allows a 30-day grace period after you move to the state or buy a vehicle. After that, driving an unregistered vehicle is illegal and can result in a fine. If you miss the important date, register as soon as possible. The state does not charge a late fee, but you may face a traffic citation if stopped.