Effortless Kansas Vehicle Registration: New Titling, Renewals, and Online Services


Introduction

Buying a vehicle in Kansas or moving your registration to Kansas can feel like a maze of paperwork, especially with all the documents needed to follow the state's vehicle laws. It gets even trickier when you realize that you have to handle new registrations in your own county. This can be a headache for busy professionals, the working class, and folks stuck at home. Plus, calling the DMV is not the smoothest experience—they're swamped with requests, short on funds, and short-staffed.

But here's some good news: We're experts in the commercial title and registration industry, and we're here to make your life easier. We've put together a guide to walk you through the steps of titling, registering, and renewing your vehicle in Kansas. Check out the basic info below, and feel free to dive deeper as you need. We're here to help! Click here if you’d like to get in touch with us directly.

Summary of Topics

Contents

Section 1: Kansas Vehicle Titling Options

Section 2: Kansas Out-of-State Transfer Options

Section 3: Kansas Vehicle Fees

Section 4: Additional Kansas Resources

Section 1: Kansas Vehicle Titling

1.1 General Titling Information

1.1a County Based

Kansas is a county-based state. For example, if you live in Johnson County, you cannot register and/or title your new vehicle at the Wyandotte DMV. Unfortunately, there are no exceptions to this rule, which can make it difficult for working professionals who cannot get off of work.

1.1b Penalties & Time Requirements

Newly Purchased Vehicles (New & Pre-Owned Vehicles): Kansas has a strict 60-day grace period before penalties will be imposed. The 60 day period starts on the day the title was assigned to the new owner - or in other words - the day you purchase your new vehicle.

New Residents to Kansas: Kansas requires that your current vehicle be registered within 90 days of the date you establish residency in Kansas. Those who own/lease/rent a residence in Kansas over 90 days, have a residence, register to vote, or have your child(ren) in a Kansas School District can be considered Kansas residents for the purposes of vehicle registration.

1.1c Expedited Title & Registration Service

The State of Kansas does not offer strict online services, however, they do sanction private institutions, such as J.G. Title Company, to assist with most title and registration services. As a licensed, insured, and bonded company, organizations like J.G. Title Company can be a great resource to facilitate your registration without having to directly interact with the DMV. In many cases, companies like J.G. Title Company can expedite a person/company’s all-around time investment relating to Kansas title and registration transactions using a combination of electronic and direct-human interactions. Click here to learn more about J.G. Title Company.


1.2 Titling Newly Purchased Cars in Kansas (New Cars)

1.2a Option 1: In-Person Title Process - Estimated Time Investment: 1-5 hours at County Treasurer

We have compiled a list of documents that are TYPICALLY needed to be presented at the County Treasurer’s office (DMV). Keep in mind that rejections are common if your title has multiple reassignments, lien releases, affidavits, or mistakes with data entry. We suggest that you analyze your title documents carefully before investing your time at the County Treasurer.

To use J.G. Title Company’s Registration Portal to determine your required documents, click here.

General Checklist for Newly Purchased New Cars

  • MSO/MCO (Manufacturer’s Statment/Certificate of Origin) - This is the ownership document of a New Car. It is similar to a title but is not a legal title for individuals. This MSO/MCO must be surrendered for a clean Kansas Title. We suggest the following:

    • Make sure that both the Buyer and Seller sign in the properly identified boxes on the back of the MSO/MCO. Typically, these areas will be found at the very top and bottom of the document.

    • If the MSO/MCO is assigned with an “And” marking, for example, “John Doe and Jane Doe”, both purchasers would need to sign in the proper signature lines. If the MSO/MCO is assigned with an “Or” marking, for example, “John Doe or Jane Doe” only one purchaser would need to sign. We recommend titling the vehicle as an “Or” assignment if there is more than one party. If there is not an indication, for example, “John Doe Jane Doe”, it will be treated as an “And” Title and will need all purchaser signatures.

    • Power of Attorney Form TR-41 can be signed by the buyer to authorize another party to sign on their behalf. This can be helpful for residents who would like a friend or family member to help complete their registration for them.

  • Current Insurance Card: This needs to be a current insurance card showing the Year, Make, and VIN of the vehicle to verify that it is insured.

  • Sales Tax Receipt: This document is produced by Kansas Dealerships only. Per Kansas State Law, Kansas Dealerships are required to collect Kansas Sales Tax at the time of purchase and remit these taxes directly to the Department of Revenue. In other words, Kansas Residents pay their sales tax to Kansas Dealerships if they purchase at a Kansas Dealership. If your vehicle is not purchased from a Kansas Dealership, this document will not apply to you and you will pay your sales tax to the County Treasurer directly or through J.G. Title Company.

  • Bill of Sale: This document should show the vehicle details, financials, and signatures of both the buyer and seller. This document is how your Kansas Sales Tax will be calculated.

  • Property Tax Payment: Kansas requires all Kansas Residents to pay a depreciating amount of Vehicle Property Tax each year that they own their vehicle. Every person’s personal property tax amount will be different. You can find an estimator provided by the State of Kansas on their website, however, we advise that these will not be the only fees associated with your title and registration. For a comprehensive amount, you can always submit an electronic request to J.G. Title Company here.

1.2b Plate Information

Temporary Plates: A paper temporary plate will be issued by either your Kansas Dealership or your County Treasurer after properly completing the title and registration process. Kansas Dealership temporary tags are valid for 60 days. Out-of-state temporary tags will be recognized for the duration of their expiration.

New Permanent Plates: After the proper registration of your new vehicle, you may request new plates and will receive the metal plates in the mail to your home or indicated mailing address.

Transfer Plates: After the proper registration of your new vehicle, you may request transfer plates. This will allow you to take the plates off of a trade-in or previous vehicle and use them as the current plate for your new vehicle. There are stipulations surrounding transfer plates, such as the previous vehicle must be traded or destroyed, the assignment names from the previous plate must match the new registration and others.


1.2c Option 2: J.G. Title Process - Estimated Time Investment: 5-10 minutes online

J.G. Title Company offers an expedited online portal to submit your request for registration so you can avoid having to deal directly with the County Treasurer or DMV in your county. This option is ideal for anyone who is unsure of how to navigate the title and registration process or is short on time and is reluctant to invest the time to complete it in person.


1.3 Titling Newly Purchased Cars in Kansas (Used Cars)


1.3a Option 1: In-Person Title Process - Estimated Time Investment: 1-5 hours at County Treasurer

We have compiled a list of documents that are TYPICALLY needed to be presented at the County Treasurer’s office (DMV) for used vehicle purchases. Keep in mind that rejections are common if your title has multiple reassignments, lien releases, affidavits, or mistakes with data entry. We suggest that you analyze your title documents carefully before investing your time at the County Treasurer.

To use the JGT Electronic Registration Portal to determine your required documents, click here.

General Checklist for Used Vehicles

  • Title: The title to the vehicle must be assigned to the buyer on the front/back. Some titles may have a reassignment on the front depending on the state. Both Buyer and Seller must sign in the proper assignment sections on the title. We recommend completing any information/boxes available to complete. Some of the main parts to be watchful for are the purchase price, date of sale, odometer reading, and proper signatures.

    • Make sure that both the Buyer and Seller sign in the properly identified boxes on the back of the Title. Typically, these areas will be found on the back of the title.

    • If the Title is assigned with an “And” marking, for example, “John Doe and Jane Doe”, both purchasers would need to sign in the proper signature lines. If the MSO/MCO is assigned with an “Or” marking, for example, “John Doe or Jane Doe” only one purchaser would need to sign. We recommend titling the vehicle as an “Or” assignment if there is more than one party. If there is not an indication, for example, “John Doe Jane Doe”, it will be treated as an “And” Title and will need all purchaser signatures.

    • Power of Attorney Form TR-41 can be signed by the buyer to authorize another party to sign on their behalf. This can be helpful for residents who would like a friend or family member to help complete their registration for them.

  • Titles with Lienholder on Front: Any lienholders that are listed on the FRONT of your title must be removed or have an accompanying lien release from the bank that previously held the loan. For instance, if Bank of America is showing on the front of your title, you must contact Bank of America to obtain the lien release. The lienholder may complete Form TR-150 instead of supplying a lien release.

  • Kansas VIN Inspection: To determine whether a VIN inspection applies to your transaction, you must determine the type of title that you have. If your title is from any other state aside from Kansas, you will need a Kansas VIN Inspection. For example, if you live in Johnson County, KS and the title to your used car is from Montana, you will need to obtain a Kansas VIN Inspection. This inspection must be done before bringing your paperwork for processing at the County Treasurer or DMV. The Kansas Highway Patrol is responsible for administering the Kansas VIN Inspection (MVE-1). For more information surrounding Kansas VIN Inspections, please see our Kansas VIN Inspection resource center here.

  • Current Insurance Card: This needs to be a current insurance card showing the Year, Make, and VIN of the vehicle to verify that it is insured.

  • Sales Tax Receipt: This document is produced by Kansas Dealerships only. Per Kansas State Law, Kansas Dealerships are required to collect Kansas Sales Tax at the time of purchase and remit these taxes directly to the Department of Revenue. In other words, Kansas Residents pay their sales tax to Kansas Dealerships if they purchase at a Kansas Dealership. If your vehicle is not purchased from a Kansas Dealership, this document will not apply to you and you will pay your sales tax to the County Treasurer directly or through J.G. Title Company.

  • Bill of Sale: This document should show the vehicle details, financials, and signatures of both the buyer and seller. This document is how your Kansas Sales Tax will be calculated.

  • Property Tax Payment: Kansas requires all Kansas Residents to pay a depreciating amount of Vehicle Property Tax each year that they own their vehicle. Every person’s personal property tax amount will be different. You can find an estimator provided by the State of Kansas on their website, however, we advise that these will not be the only fees associated with your title and registration. For a comprehensive amount, you can always submit an electronic request to J.G. Title Company here.

1.3b Plate Information

Temporary Plates: A paper temporary plate will be issued by either your Kansas Dealership or your County Treasurer after properly completing the title and registration process. Kansas Dealership temporary tags are valid for 60 days. Out-of-state temporary tags will be recognized for the duration of their expiration.

New Permanent Plates: After the proper registration of your new vehicle, you may request new plates and will receive the metal plates in the mail to your home or indicated mailing address.

Transfer Plates: After the proper registration of your new vehicle, you may request transfer plates. This will allow you to take the plates off of a trade-in or previous vehicle and use them as the current plate for your new vehicle. There are stipulations surrounding transfer plates, such as the previous vehicle must be traded or destroyed, the assignment names from the previous plate must match the new registration, and others.


1.3c Kansas E-Titles (If Title is held electronically)

Kansas is an electronic title holding State. This means that if a vehicle has a recorded lienholder, the State will hold the Title and keep a record of it electronically. There is a simple and efficient way of obtaining your e-title if you have paid off your loan and just need to obtain the paper version of your title. Please visit our Kansas Duplicate/Replacement Title Portal to electronically file and receive your title within 48 hours.



1.3d Option 2: J.G. Title Process - Estimated Time Investment: 5-10 minutes online

J.G. Title Company offers an expedited online portal to submit your request for registration so you can avoid having to deal directly with the County Treasurer or DMV in your county. This option is ideal for anyone who is unsure of how to navigate the title and registration process or is short on time and is reluctant to invest the time to complete it in person.


Section 2: Kansas Out-of-State Transfer Options 

2.1 New Residents

2.1a General Requirements

Registration is required within 90 days of the date of establishing Kansas residency. Some examples that may make you a Kansas resident for purposes of registration are:

  • Own, lease, or rent a place of residence for more than 90 days

  • Have a place of residence and accept employment

  • Register to vote in Kansas

  • Enroll child(ren) in a school district, unless you are paying out-of-state tuition

2.1b Required Documents

We have compiled a list of documents that are commonly needed to transfer a vehicle from an out-of-state jurisdiction to the State of Kansas. For instance, if I am moving to Kansas from New York, I will need to follow the requirements of the Kansas Out-of-State Transfer Guidelines.

To use the JGT Electronic Registration Portal to determine your required documents, click here.

General Checklist for Out-of-State Transfer Registration

  • Proof of Ownership (Title): You must obtain your title in your current State to surrender it to the State of Kansas. In other words, if my current title is a New York title, I must obtain the title from New York State and give the New York title to the State of Kansas. This can be a very cumbersome process if you have a lien, lease, or title electronically held in another state. If you have a current loan or lease, or your title is electronically held in your current State, we recommend calling us for guidance at (913) 228-0333 or contacting the State of Kansas.

  • Kansas VIN Inspection (MVE-1): Kansas requires all vehicles with out-of-state titles to be inspected by the Kansas Highway Patrol. This can be completed by the Kansas Highway Patrol or other authorized inspection station. We have an extensive Kansas VIN Inspection Resource found here.

  • Current Insurance Card: Kansas law requires that all vehicles have minimum liability insurance on all vehicles. We recommend using a current insurance card to prove your insurance.


2.1c Electronic Alternative: J.G. Title Process - Estimated Time Investment: 5-10 minutes online

J.G. Title Company provides a fast-track online portal for submitting your registration request, allowing you to bypass direct interactions with your County Treasurer or local DMV. This convenient option is perfect for those uncertain about navigating the title and registration process or pressed for time, avoiding the need to invest in-person hours.



Section 3: Kansas Vehicle Fees

JGT Fee Estimation Calculation

J.G. Title Company is a trusted title facilitator in Kansas and can assist with quoting the amount of registration fees you will need to pay to the State of Kansas or the County Treasurer. Please visit us here.

Manual Fee Estimation Calculation

Registration: To determine your registration fee, refer to the vehicle description below and consult the corresponding chart. Match the first letter of your last name with the month of your vehicle purchase (e.g., if your last name starts with B and you bought the vehicle in September, your registration fee is $21.00).

Title and Tag Fee: $10.50 Modernization Fee: $4.00

Property Tax: Estimate using the Kansas Motor Vehicle Property Tax Calculator.

Sales Tax: The Sales Tax rate will vary depending on the county. You can look this up on the State of Kansas website.

Facility Fee: A $5.00 fee applies to each transaction at any Tag Office.

Add fees and taxes for your estimate; remember, this is an estimate only based on your input.

Other Information:

  • Tag Transfer: If transferring a tag from a similar vehicle, the fee is $6.50, plus a $10.00 title fee, $1.50 lien holder fee (if applicable), and a $5.00 modernization fee, totaling $22.00.

  • Property Tax Difference: Call (913) 228-0333 for details on the tax variance between old and new vehicles.

  • Title Transfers: Names on the title must match; additional parties like parents, spouses, or children may only be added by visiting a tag office.

  • Driver's License: A registered owner's Kansas driver's license number is required on every personal vehicle title application or renewal. Businesses provide their FEIN number, and leased vehicle users provide the lessee's Kansas driver's license number.

  • Expired Tags: Expired personalized tags can only be transferred.

  • Renewals: If it's your renewal month, fees are the same as for a new tag minus the 50¢ plate fee.

  • Tag Transfer Conditions: The previous vehicle must be sold or traded in for the tag transfer. Even if the vehicle isn't running, as long as the title is in your name, the plate must stay with it.


Section 4: Additional Kansas Resources

Titling and registering a vehicle is a difficult task at times. We are committed to helping all people complete their title and registration needs. We have a list of resources below in case you didn’t find what you were looking for here:

Duplicate Title Resource

Kansas VIN Inspection Resource

Title Forms

Auditing Resources

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Obtaining Your Vehicle's Title: A Guide to Kansas Lien Release Procedures