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A Motor Vehicle Registration — or more simply, a car registration — connects a car to its owner for identification purposes, and is proof that the car owner has paid the required taxes and obtained the minimum auto insurance coverage required in their state. Each state requires you, by law, to register your car with your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or transportation agency.
The vehicle registration process involves providing some personal information and details on your car and paying a registration fee. If you fail to register your car or renew your registration, you could face penalty fees, a ticket and possibly impoundment.
The most common scenarios wherein you’d need to register a car are:
The tag agencies associated with a Tribal Nation oversees vehicle registration in the state. Find out more about car registration on the Tribal Nation’s Native Knot page here.
For Tribal Nations, you must register any cars or motor vehicles you own or operate with your Tribe’s tag agency. However, please note that not all Tribes register their vehicles at tribal tag agencies.
Most Tribes register their vehicles with the state their Tribe is affiliated with, such as the Tribes in South Dakota, as not all states legally recognize Tribal license plates or vehicle tags. Before registering your vehicle, be sure to contact your Tribal tag office or local DMV for more information. You can contact some Tribe tag offices here or look up DMV’s in your state here.
The first time you register your car with your tribe’s tag agency, you’ll receive a license plate for your vehicle and a registration card. Additionally, you will receive a registration sticker that needs to be attached to your vehicle’s license plate.
When you renew your registration, you’ll receive a new registration card. All drivers are required to keep the registration card with them when operating a vehicle. If you drive a commercial vehicle, you can carry the digital version of the card.
To register a car with your Tribe, you must:
Find out more about the requirements to register a vehicle and the personal information requirements by contacting your Tribe’s tag agency here.
The main difference between a car title (or pink slip) and a car registration is that while the first proves your legal ownership of a vehicle, the second allows your vehicle to be driven on public roads. Both documents are mandatory in all 50 U.S. states.
Unlike the car title, which does not need to be renewed, the car registration has to be renewed every one or two years, depending on the state or Tribe.
The car title only needs to be changed when the vehicle is sold and the owner changes, or if you have finished paying the car loan and the vehicle is now officially yours. In these cases, you must complete a transfer of ownership by transferring the title.
Learn more about your car title in your Tribe here.
If you purchase a new or used vehicle at a car dealership in your Tribe, the dealership will handle the vehicle registration on your behalf but will charge the applicable registration fees.
If you purchased a used car from a private seller or are a new resident of the state, you will need to obtain a car registration yourself.
To register your car with your Tribe, complete the following three steps:
You must register your car in person. Click here to find your Tribe’s tag agency if your Tribe offers tagging and registration options.
Specific vehicle fees will depend on your Tribe tag office or state DMV, so be sure to call ahead for more fee information.
If you have questions about the car registration process or require assistance, contact a Tribe Tag Office here.
If you have general questions, please contact your Tribe directly. U.S. Tribal Nations contact information is available here.
To renew your car registration in Tribal Nations, complete the following three steps:
Depending on your Tribe, the options for renewal will be different. Contact your Tribe directly or reach out to a tag agency here.
Specific vehicle fees will depend on your Tribe tag office or state DMV, so be sure to call ahead for more fee information.
If you have questions about the car registration process or require assistance, contact a Tribe Tag Office here.
If you have general questions, please contact your Tribe directly. U.S. Tribal Nations contact information is available here.
If you applied for a new vehicle registration or requested a vehicle registration renewal for your car, check the status of your application by contacting the Tribe Tag Office you applied with here.
If you applied through the state and not through your Tribe, you can find state DMV contact information here.
Any missing or stolen vehicle title or registration must be replaced and reported to the local authorities immediately. This includes license plates. You can replace lost or stolen title and registration documents in person with your Tribe’s Tag agency or any other method available to your specific Tribe.
To replace your registration or tags with your Tribe’s Tag agency, contact them here.
After requesting your replacement title or registration, you can check the status of your request with your Tribe Tag Office here or through your state DMV here.
If you move to a new address within the state, you will need to update the address on your vehicle registration within 30 days of relocation.
If you need to update your name on your registration, you must change your name with the Social Security Administration (SSA) first. Learn more about how to change your name with the SSA here.
After changing your name with the SSA, you must visit a local Tribe Tag agency in person to update your registration. Find your nearest office location and contact information here. You will need documents that confirm the legal name change, such as a marriage or divorce certificate or court order.
Learn more about changing your personal information on your tags or vehicle registration by contacting your Tribe directly.
If you have recently moved to a Tribe’s territory, you will need to register and title your car with your Tribe’s Tag agency or your new state’s DMV within 90 days of moving. Follow the same car registration steps outlined above to complete the process.
If you have not yet obtained a state-issued driver’s license or ID card, you will need to provide your Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number with your legal name and address to submit your car registration application.
Click here to contact the Tribe you will now be affiliated with so they can help inform you about the move and what legal processes you will need to undergo.
All car registration fees will differ depending on the Tribe or state you are registering your vehicle with.
You can contact your Tribe’s Tag agency here or your state’s DMV here for more information about vehicle services and registration fees.
For help with the car registration process, or for any further questions about your car registration, call your Tribe Tag agency. Find contact information for different agencies here.
If your tribe does not provide car registration services, contact your state’s DMV office here.
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the car registration process and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get familiar with the process by providing useful information.
Our free Car Registration Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
