To register your vehicle in Missouri, you’ll need the following documents, depending on your residency status and the vehicle’s origin:
For Missouri Residents:
You have 30 days from the date of purchase to register your vehicle and pay sales tax. A $25 penalty will be assessed for each 30-day period the vehicle is late, up to a maximum of $200.
To register your vehicle, you must submit:
- Vehicle title.
- Proof of identification.
- Bill of sale.
- Vehicle safety inspection certificate (if required).
- Vehicle emissions inspection certificate (if required).
You will be required to pay the following fees:
- Vehicle registration fee: $8.50.
- Processing fee: $6.
- State sales tax: 4.225% of the vehicle’s purchase price.
- Local taxes (if applicable).
You can use the online tax calculator to estimate the amount of tax due. For more detailed information on new vehicle registration, please refer to the Missouri Department of Revenue website.
For New Missouri Residents:
You have 30 days from the date you become a Missouri resident to register your vehicle. If the lienholder is holding your title, you must complete a Request for Title From Out-of-State Lienholder (Form 5834) and send it to the lienholder to request the original title.
To register a vehicle previously titled in another state, you must submit:
- Original vehicle title or proof of ownership acceptable under the previous state’s laws.
- Proof of Missouri residency.
- Vehicle safety inspection certificate (if required).
- Vehicle emissions inspection certificate (if required).
If the lienholder is holding the original title and you cannot obtain it, you must submit:
- A statement from the lienholder verifying possession of the title.
- A copy of the title or electronic title receipt showing your name as the owner and the lienholder’s name as the lienholder.
You will be required to pay the following fees:
- Vehicle registration fee: $8.50.
- Processing fee: $6.
- Electronic transmission fee (if applicable): $2.
- License plate registration fee based on horsepower or vehicle weight.
- State and local taxes (if applicable):
- If the vehicle was owned and operated in another state for at least 90 days prior to Missouri registration, you will not owe additional sales tax.
- If the vehicle was owned for less than 90 days and sales tax paid in another state was less than Missouri’s tax, you must provide proof of payment and pay the difference.
For Imported Vehicles:
To register an imported vehicle, you must submit:
- Importation documents.
- Customs documents.
- Bill of sale.
- Vehicle safety inspection certificate (if required).
- Vehicle emissions inspection certificate (if required).
You will be required to pay fees similar to those for new Missouri residents. Currently, imported vehicle registrations are only processed at the central branch office in Jefferson City or by mail. Contact the U.S. Department of Transportation or U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more information.
For Military Personnel Stationed Out-of-State:
You must submit documents similar to Missouri residents and follow the state and local tax guidelines as outlined above.
