Register a vehicle: your state, step by step

Pick your state for a plan: what you need to title and register a car, whether you can do it online, what it costs and where to go.

States with a step-by-step plan (51 of 51)

AlabamaAL
Online
No online option described
Visit
County license plate issuing office
Cost
$15 title application fee
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AlaskaAK
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
Office or mail
Cost
$15 title fee
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ArizonaAZ
Online
Some services
Visit
Office, or AZ MVD Now if eligible
Cost
$4 title, $8 registration
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ArkansasAR
Online
Yes, through MyDMV
Visit
Optional, at a State Revenue Office
Cost
Passenger cars: $17 to $30 by weight
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CaliforniaCA
Online
No online option described
Visit
Field office or mail
Cost
Several fees
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ColoradoCO
Online
Only after a Colorado dealer purchase
Visit
County motor vehicle office
Cost
Varies by county and vehicle
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ConnecticutCT
Online
No, by appointment
Visit
Appointment required
Cost
$199 registration fee
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DelawareDE
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
DMV office recommended
Cost
Title $35, or $55 with a lien
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District of ColumbiaDC
Online
Only a temporary registration renews online
Visit
Required
Cost
Title $30, plus registration by weight
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FloridaFL
Online
Not for first registration
Visit
Yes, in person
Cost
Several fees
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GeorgiaGA
Online
No, visit your County Tag Office
Visit
Yes, County Tag Office
Cost
$18 title fee, $20 registration fee
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HawaiiHI
Online
No, appointment or mail
Visit
AlohaQ appointment, or by mail
Cost
$10 title transfer fee
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IdahoID
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
County motor vehicle office
Cost
$14 title fee + county admin fee
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IllinoisIL
Online
Print the application online; submit by mail or at a DMV
Visit
No, you can mail it
Cost
Title $165, registration $151
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IndianaIN
Online
Registration only, in some cases
Visit
Branch visit for the title
Cost
Title $15.00; passenger vehicle registration $21.35
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IowaIA
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
County treasurer's office
Cost
Use the DOT fee estimator
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KansasKS
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
Yes, county treasurer
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KentuckyKY
Online
No, visit the County Clerk
Visit
Yes, at the County Clerk
Cost
Speed title $25.00
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LouisianaLA
Online
No online option described
Visit
Office, Public Tag Agent or mail
Cost
Title fee $68.50, plus other fees
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MaineME
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
Town office, then a BMV branch if needed
Cost
$35 a year, plus a $33 title fee and excise tax
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MarylandMD
Online
No, in person or by mail
Visit
In person or by mail
Cost
Title $200, titling tax 6.5%
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MassachusettsMA
Online
No, in person at an RMV Service Center
Visit
Yes, an RMV Service Center
Cost
Registration fee, title fee and 6.25% sales tax
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MichiganMI
Online
Only some transfers
Visit
Office visit unless online or dealer
Cost
$15 title transfer fee
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MinnesotaMN
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
In person or by mail
Cost
Several fees, listed separately
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MississippiMS
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
Yes, county Tax Collector's office
Cost
Title $9.00; first-time registration fee $14.00
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MissouriMO
Online
No online option described
Visit
Yes, within 30 days of purchase
Cost
$8.50 title fee, $9 processing fee
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MontanaMT
Online
Depends on the county
Visit
County treasurer's office
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NebraskaNE
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
County Treasurer
Cost
$10.00 title fee
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NevadaNV
Online
Yes, with Rapid Registration
Visit
Not if you register online
Cost
Varies by vehicle
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New HampshireNH
Online
No, start at your town or city clerk
Visit
Visit your city or town clerk
Cost
$42 state fee, 0-3000 lbs ($3.50 per month)
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New JerseyNJ
Online
No, in person by appointment
Visit
Appointment required, no walk-ins
Cost
Title: $60 standard
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New MexicoNM
Online
No, first registration is in person
Visit
Appointment required
Cost
$27 to $62 (1-year) or $54 to $124 (2-year)
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New YorkNY
Online
No, at a DMV office
Visit
Yes, at a DMV office
Cost
Varies by vehicle and county
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North CarolinaNC
Online
No online option described
Visit
Plate agency or by mail
Cost
Varies by vehicle type
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North DakotaND
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
By appointment
Cost
$5 title fee (passenger vehicle)
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OhioOH
Online
No, in person
Visit
Title office, then deputy registrar
Cost
$18 title fee
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OklahomaOK
Online
No online option described
Visit
In person
Cost
Title $11.00
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OregonOR
Online
Online tool prepares the application
Visit
Office visit or mail
Cost
Title fee $101 to $192, by fuel economy
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PennsylvaniaPA
Online
No, through an authorized agent
Visit
Yes, visit an agent
Cost
See the fees page
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Rhode IslandRI
Online
No online option described
Visit
In person: owners present, or a notarized signature
Cost
See the DMV Registration Fee Table
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South CarolinaSC
Online
No online option described
Visit
Branch or certified mail, after the county property tax
Cost
Title fee, registration fee and IMF or sales tax
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South DakotaSD
Online
No online option described
Visit
County treasurer's office
Cost
Title $10; 4% excise tax
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TennesseeTN
Online
No online option described
Visit
County clerk's office
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TexasTX
Online
No online option described
Visit
Yes, at a county tax office
Cost
Base registration $50.75
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UtahUT
Online
Yes, for a Utah-titled used vehicle
Visit
Maybe
Cost
Title $6.00; registration varies
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VermontVT
Online
No online option described
Visit
Not required if you mail it
Cost
6% purchase and use tax
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VirginiaVA
Online
Mostly no
Visit
Office visit or mail
Cost
$15 titling fee
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WashingtonWA
Online
No online option described
Visit
Vehicle licensing office
Cost
Ask the licensing office
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West VirginiaWV
Online
Not for a first registration
Visit
Regional office, mail or private service
Cost
$15.00 title fee
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WisconsinWI
Online
Yes, then mail documents
Visit
Not required
Cost
Title $214.50; automobile registration $85 a year
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WyomingWY
Online
Not stated by the agency
Visit
Not stated by the agency
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More ways to get things done

REAL IDDocuments, appointment and offices
First driver's licensePermit, road test and documents
Driver's license renewalOnline, by mail or in person
Find a DMV officeHours, services and official booking

DMV Decoded is an independent guide, not a government agency. Applications, appointments and payments happen with the agency or the businesses it licenses, never on this site.