Register Car in Kansas

General Requirements

Registration Renewal

Those who need to renew an existing vehicle registration, please visit Registration Renewals.

First-Time Registration

New registrations are required when:

• You buy, inherit, or are gifted a car

• You move into the state as a permanent resident

You must title and register your car within 30 days of acquisition.

New residents have 90 days to register.

Get Insurance

Kansas requires that you carry valid insurance. If you need to purchase new insurance and would like to compare rates, please visit our Insurance Center.

Prepare the Paperwork

Before you actually head into a county treasurer’s office, you’ll need to get together some paperwork:

1. Proof of Insurance.
2. Proof of payment of personal property taxes.
3. A Title and Registration Application.
4. A signed and notarized manufacturer's statement of origin, also known as an MSO form.
5. Your sales tax receipt if you purchased the vehicle from a dealer.
6. A completed Odometer Disclosure Statement if the vehicle was previously owned.
7. A bill of sale or Affidavit of Purchase Price to show the purchase price of the vehicle.
8. The properly signed title from the previous owner, if applicable. If this is lost, you’ll have to replace it.
9. Inspection papers from your vehicle inspection, if your car is from out of state.

If you haven’t yet gotten your car, you should consider a Vehicle History Report. This will tell you valuable information about the vehicle, such as whether it’s a salvaged title or if it’s been in a major, system-wrecking accident.

Calculate the Fees

Fees are calculated at the county treasurer’s office and will vary. They will charge a fee based on weight, sales tax (unless already paid), property tax, and other fees based on your county of residence. Call your county tax collector for more assistance.

Go to the DMV

Now that you have all your paperwork, go in to your county tax collector’s office to finish your registration.

License Plates

At the office, you’ll be given your license plates and tags. However, you also have the option of ordering some nifty specialized plates instead. These have pictures and symbols of your interests or affiliations. For instance, you can get yourself a veteran’s plate if you like.

You can further personalize your look by ordering vanity plates, as long as it’s not in bad taste or already being used by someone else. Customized frames are also available in everything from your old college to a favorite NFL team.

Affix Your Stickers

Put your stickers on your plates as the directions say. Stickers are given out at the office with your plates.

Get a Tax Deduction

Deducting part of your registration fees on your federal income tax return may be possible. The IRS allows you to deduct the portion that is based on vehicle value (not the sales tax). This information should be on your registration fee receipt.

If you need more help, please consult a tax attorney.

Safely Get on Your Way

Finally, you’re all paid up and ready to go. But have you checked your safety precautions recently? Are you covered in case your car has a breakdown? A car emergency kit in your trunk and a roadside assistance program are good things to have. And if that breakdown turns out to be a major system failure, you’ll wish you had an after-market auto warranty.

Also be sure to be prepared by testing out a reliable mechanic before you need one. This will save time and stress when something does go wrong.

As for accessories, now is the time to double-check your child safety seats to see that they’re still current and weight-appropriate for your children. A hands-free headset is also a good safety investment if you like to use your cell phone.

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