Register a vehicle in Missouri

Online or in person

No online option described · In person within 30 days of purchaseThe Department's buying-a-vehicle page says to bring the items to a Missouri license office; it does not describe an online option. Title penalty: $25 on the 31st day after purchase, plus $25 for every further 30 days late, to a maximum of $200.

Cost

$8.50 title fee, $9 processing feeRegistration fees are based on taxable horsepower or vehicle weight. Sales tax: state 4.225 percent plus local tax on the purchase price, less any trade-in allowance. See the Department's pages for the rules and exceptions. If you moved here and owned and operated the vehicle in another state for at least 90 days, no additional sales tax is due.

You leave with

Title mailed to the ownerMissouri titles are mailed to the vehicle owner unless a request is made to mail it to the lienholder.

Your plan

1. Gather your documents

   • Ownership document
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Certificate of Title, properly signed over to you
     • Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO)
   • Application for Missouri Title and License (Form 108) · all that apply
     Signed. Additional documentation may be requested at the time of titling.
   • Proof of insurance
     A current insurance identification card (original, copy, or electronic if legible) or other proof of financial responsibility.
     Show accepted documents (bring 1)

     • Insurance identification card
   • Property tax receipt or statement
     For new license plates: a paid personal property tax receipt or a statement of non-assessment from your county (or City of St. Louis) for the previous year.
   • Safety inspection
     Not more than 60 days old, if applicable. Vehicles in their first ten years after the model year with under 150,000 miles are exempt from the safety inspection requirement.
   • Emissions inspection
     Not more than 60 days old, if you live in St. Louis City or Jefferson, St. Charles or St. Louis County.
   • If they apply · all that apply
     Show accepted documents

     • Odometer Disclosure Statement (Form 3019)
     • Notarized Lien Release (Form 4809)

2. Get any required inspections

   Get any required safety or emissions inspection first.

   Titling and registration on dor.mo.gov ↗

3. Go to a license office

   Bring the items to any Missouri license office and pay the fees.

   License office locator ↗

4. If you just bought it

   You may buy a temporary permit from the dealer ($5 permit fee), transfer plates from a vehicle you own, or buy new plates. A temporary permit is valid for 30 days from the purchase date.

   Buying a vehicle on dor.mo.gov ↗