Moving to Missouri: car title and registration costs
Moving to Missouri with a car you own: title and registration come to about $44.75–$77.75 for a $20,000 car you have owned over a year (estimate). Register within 30 days of moving (Missouri Department of Revenue).
Tax on the car itself: $0.00 plus anything you fill in.
Estimate of government charges. The DMV or county office calculates the final amount.
Your own numbers
Set up for: moving to Missouri · Different situation?
Every line for a new resident
| Line | Group | Amount | Set by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sales tax for new residents (only if owned under 90 days) | State & local tax | you fill in | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Title fee | Title | $8.50 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Title processing fee (license office) | Title | $9.00 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Passenger car registration (1 year, by taxable horsepower) | Registration & plates | $18.25–$51.25 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| Registration processing fee (1-year) | Registration & plates | $9.00 | Missouri Department of Revenue |
| County personal property tax on the vehicle (yearly) | Yearly taxes | you fill in | Missouri Department of Revenue |
Deadlines
- Title and pay sales tax within (days of purchase): 30 days (Missouri Department of Revenue)
- New resident: title within (days of becoming a resident): 30 days (Missouri Department of Revenue)
- New resident: no sales tax if owned and operated elsewhere at least (days): 90 days (Missouri Department of Revenue)
- Temporary permit valid for (days from purchase): 30 days (Missouri Department of Revenue)
- Seller/giver must report the sale or gift within (days): 30 days (Missouri Department of Revenue)
- Sell-and-replace or total-loss tax allowance window (days): 180 days (Missouri Department of Revenue)
Sales tax when you move
- Sales tax for new residents (only if owned under 90 days): No Missouri sales tax if the vehicle was owned and operated in another state for at least 90 days. Otherwise you pay the difference between Missouri state + local tax and the tax paid to the other state.
Checklist before the DMV visit
- Your out-of-state title (or the lender's details if there is a loan) and current registration
- Proof of insurance that meets the state's requirements
- Your new driver license or ID, and proof of your new address
- Odometer reading; some states also need a VIN or safety/emissions inspection
- Proof of sales tax you paid when you bought the car, if it was recent (several states credit it or exempt you)
After that: yearly renewal
See registration and title fees in Missouri for the yearly cost.
Official tools: Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle Tax Calculator (state + local by address) · Missouri DOR Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Rate Chart (quarterly PDF) · Missouri DOR Form 5113 Customer Fee Schedule
Sources
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Motor Vehicle Titling and Registration (incl. New Resident requirements)
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Form 5113 Customer Fee Schedule (Revised 10-2026)
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Motor Vehicle Fees
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Buying a Vehicle
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Titling and Registration FAQs
- Missouri Department of Revenue: Selling a Vehicle (incl. Gifting Your Vehicle)
FAQ
How long do I have to register my car after moving to Missouri?
New resident: title within (days of becoming a resident): 30 days, per Missouri Department of Revenue.
Do I pay sales tax when I bring my car to Missouri?
No Missouri sales tax if the vehicle was owned and operated in another state for at least 90 days. Otherwise you pay the difference between Missouri state + local tax and the tax paid to the other state.
How much does it cost to register an out-of-state car in Missouri?
About $44.75–$77.75 for a $20,000 car owned over a year (estimate of title and registration).