Vehicle titles and plates

First time/new to state registration and plates

• You may need your certificate of origin, title, current registration card, odometer reading and your driver’s license or state ID card
• If there is a lien against the vehicle, you must provide the date of the loan, along with the name and complete address of the lender
• If both you and your vehicle are new to Minnesota, and the out of state plates are current, you have a 60-day grace period to register the vehicle

Transfer of ownership (title transfer)

• Buyer must bring the completed title, and a driver’s license or state ID card
• Seller must complete the "Seller's" portion of title, including signature(s)
• To transfer an out of state title, complete and bring the title application (PDF)

Online application process

Use our online form with a credit card payment to apply for a duplicate title, duplicate registration tabs, register your car in MN, or transfer title.

1. Gather your vehicle information like the motor vehicle title or registration card.
2. Gather your insurance information.
3. Complete the form.
4. Within 5–7 business days we will verify your information and contact you with instructions to complete your transaction which will include options for paying and dropping off completed and signed documentation.

In person application process

Gather your documents.

Schedule an appointment, or come in to one of our locations. Walk-in services and wait time depend on staffing.

Fee

Fees vary depending on the classification and year of the vehicle and will be determined during the review process.

Remote application process

Complete the license plate application (PDF).

Determine the appropriate fee.

Gather your documents.

Email us with your phone number at servicecenterinfo@hennepin.us to review your application, fees and payment options.

• We are overwhelmed with email requests. It may take us 2–3 business days to respond. Thank you for your patience.
• We will help determine the correct fee and go over payment options

Submit your application and payment at one of our drop off locations, or by mail to:

Director of Licensing – Regular/standard plates
Hennepin County Government Center
300 S. 6th St., Ste. A-025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026

In person application process

Gather your documents.

Schedule an appointment, or come in to one of our locations. Walk-in services and wait time depend on staffing.

Fee

• Determine the appropriate fee.
• Payment options

Personalized plates are available with the standard plate background for passenger automobiles and pick-up trucks with up to seven characters, including spaces. The state will mail your permanent plates to you.

Remote application process

Complete and bring the application (PDF).

Gather your documents.

Email us with your phone number at servicecenterinfo@hennepin.us to review your application, fees and payment options.

• We are overwhelmed with email requests. It may take us 2–3 business days to respond. Thank you for your patience.
• We will help determine the correct fee and go over payment options

Submit your application and payment at one of our drop off locations, or by mail to:

Director of Licensing – Personalized or specialized plates
Hennepin County Government Center
300 S. 6th St., Ste. A-025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026

In person application process

Gather your documents.

Schedule an appointment, or come in to one of our locations. Walk-in services and wait time depend on staffing.

Fee

• Determine and bring the appropriate fee
• Payment options

Types of plates

• Personalized Plates contain seven characters for passenger class vehicles and pick-up trucks; and six characters for motorcycles, mopeds one-ton pick-ups and self-propelled recreational vehicles
• Specialized Plates are available for amateur (HAM) radio and citizen band radio; collector; collegiate; critical habitat; military or veteran; remembering victims of impaired drivers; sesquicentennial: support our troops; volunteer ambulance attendant; and volunteer firefighter

In Minnesota, a person may display disability plates on passenger class vehicles (cars, vans, pickups), self-propelled recreational vehicles (RV), one-ton pickups and motorcycles.

Qualifications

The applicant must be one of the following:

• Permanently disabled and the owner or primary operator of the vehicle the plates will be on
• The custodial parent or guardian applying on behalf of a permanently disable minor
• The owner of a commercial rental motor vehicle specially modified for and used exclusively by permanently physically disabled people

Remote application process

Complete the application (PDF).

Gather your documents.

Submit your application and payment at one of our drop off locations, or by mail to:

Director of Licensing – Disability plates
Hennepin County Government Center
300 S. 6th St., Ste. A-025
Minneapolis, MN 55487-0026

In person application process

• Gather your documents

• Schedule an appointment, or come in to one of our locations. Walk-in services and wait time depend on staffing.

Fees

• Double plates: $8 plus $10 filing fee
• Single: $6 plus $10 filing fee
• Payment options

Additional information

• Plates are mailed from the state
• Plates for physically disabled drivers are covered by Minnesota statute 168.021
• Parking privileges for physically disabled are covered by Minnesota statute 169.345