When you purchase a vehicle, you’re required to register it, although the steps you’ll need to take to register your vehicle will vary considerably from state to state. You may be able to look up your state’s requirements at your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website. You can also call your local government office, such as your city hall or county court house, to find out which department handles these matters locally. They can also tell you how long you have to complete the registration process.
The documentation you’ll be required to provide will vary from state to state. At a minimum, you should be able to produce your bill of sale for the vehicle. Most states will probably also want you to have a title for the vehicle or the paperwork to request a title. Some states will also want you to show proof of insurance, although some will accept a binder. You’ll likely also be asked to provide some proof of your identity. Some states will accept your valid driver’s license, while others may need two forms of identification and/or a copy of your birth certificate. You may also need something that shows proof of residency. Again, there’s no way to know exactly what you’ll need until you contact your local authorities.
If you buy your vehicle at an automobile dealership, they may take care of the registration process for you, or they. If they do handle the registration process, expect them to charge you for the processing fees and for their time as well. You can save money by doing the registration yourself, but many people take advantage of this service to avoid having to deal with long waits and inconvenient DMV hours.
In addition, some states have different requirements for vehicles which are leased, vehicles which have been imported from another country and for persons in the military. Your local authorities will be happy to help you understand any special circumstance which may apply to you.
When you contact your local office, they should also be able to tell you what kinds of fees you’ll be expected to pay and what forms of payment they accept. Some offices will accept personal checks, debit cards or credit cards, while others will only accept cash or certified funds. To save yourself from having to make a second trip, find out what forms of payment are accepted ahead of time and carry a little extra cash with you when you go in.
If you are registering your vehicle in the name of a business, the paperwork you’ll be required to provide will vary. Again, talk with your local office ahead of time to find out what you need to bring with you.
Finally, most states require some form of statement regarding the mileage of the car and the state of the odometer – i.e., is the odometer reading accurate and if not why? There may be a section on the title for the seller to complete or an affidavit or special form may be required. This information and any forms you require can be found on your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles website.
