A certificate of title is proof of ownership. You may transfer the title of a vehicle at any deputy registrar office. If a vehicle is purchased through a licensed Minnesota dealer, the dealer will take care of the transfer paperwork.

You will receive your license plates (unless special or personalized) and vehicle registration stickers at the time you apply. In Minnesota, ​these vehicle tabs expire and must be renewed each year.

• Stickers / plates applied for at the University of Minnesota location will be mailed.

How to apply

Apply in person for renewal, duplicate, new (including out of state) or transfer at any county service center location. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

First time/new to state registration and plates

• Complete and bring the title application (PDF) 
• Bring your certificate of origin or title
  • If you don't have one of these documents, bring the current registration card, the 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)
• You may want to bring the seller with you (not required)
• To transfer an out of state title, complete and bring the title application (PDF)

Fee

• Fees vary depending on the classification and year of the vehicle
• Payment options

Your tabs or registration stickers expire each year and must be renewed. The expiration month is shown on the sticker on the lower left corner of the plate, and the expiration year is shown on the sticker on the lower right corner of the plate.

For passenger class vehicles, registration must be purchased by the last day of the expiration month and must be displayed in the proper location on the vehicle’s license plate within 10 days following the last day of the registration month (MS 168.09, Subd 4).

For miscellaneous (truck, motor cycle, trailer, etc.) class vehicles, registration must be purchased and displayed in the proper location on the vehicle’s license plate by the last day of the month of expiration.

Tabs or stickers will be issued at the time you apply.

• Tabs or stickers applied for at the University of Minnesota location will be mailed.

Renewal or duplicate tabs

Apply in person at any county service center. If you have your current renewal notice, you can save time and use the Maple Grove Service Center drive-through.

• Bring current year renewal notice, or the license plate number and ID

If you are not the registered owner of the vehicle, you must have permission from the owner to purchase the license tabs. Have the owner complete and give you the permission to purchase (PDF) form to buy the tabs. Bring that completed form in to any county service center.

Passenger plates are displayed on motor vehicles, pickup trucks and vans with a manufacturers gross vehicle weight rating of 3/4 ton or less, and 1 ton passenger vans.

You will receive a temporary permit when you apply. The state will mail your permanent plates to you.

Passenger automobile license plates are replaced every seven (7) years; all other license plates are issued for the life of the vehicle.

How to apply

Apply in person for initial, duplicate or replacement plates at any county service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

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 (7) characters, including spaces.

You will receive a temporary permit and plate when you apply. The state will mail your permanent plates to you.

How to apply

Complete and bring the application (PDF) to any county service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

Fee

• Determine and bring the appropriate fee
• Payment options

Types of plates

• Personalized Plates contain seven (7) characters for passenger class vehicles and pick-up trucks; and six (6) 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.

You will receive a temporary permit when you apply. The state will mail your plates to you.

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

How to apply

For initial, duplicate or replacement disability plates, complete and bring the application (PDF) to any county service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

Fee

• Double plates: $6
• Single: $4.50 plus $10 filing fee
• Payment options

Additional information

• Plates for physically disabled drivers are covered by Minnesota statute 168.021
• Parking privileges for physically disabled are covered by Minnesota statute 169.345

Disability parking certificates are issued to people and institutions (not vehicles) that transport people with disabilities. Certificates may be used in any vehicle that is transporting a person with a disability. The certificate may only be hung on the rear view mirror when the vehicle is parked.

You will receive a temporary permit when you apply. The state will mail your certificate to you.

How to apply

Apply in person at any county service center. For a shorter wait time, make an appointment.

• Bring your completed (Your medical provider must complete and sign too) application (PDF) 
• The six-year permanent parking certificate is the only renewable certificate
  • It may be renewed without a new medical statement
  • If you don't have your renewal, complete "Disable Individual Section" (top section) of the application (PDF) and bring that with you

Fee

• New or replacement temporary and short-term certificate: $5
• Organization certificate (valid for 3 years): $5
• Long-term (13 months to 71 months): no fee
• Permanent (valid for six years): no fee
• Payment options

Additional information

• Parking privileges for physically disabled are covered by Minnesota statute 169.345.