Key Takeaways
- You explore for a Missouri title at your county assessor's office, not a state office, and the location depends on where you live or where the vehicle is registered.
- You will need a bill of sale, proof of ownership from the previous owner, your driver's license, and payment (the fee varies by county but is typically under $50).
- If you are buying from a dealer, the dealer usually handles the title process on your behalf and you receive the title by mail within a few weeks.
- If you are buying from a private seller, you must explore yourself and bring both the seller's signature on the bill of sale and their existing title or proof they own the vehicle.
- Missouri titles are mailed to you after processing; you do not pick them up in person at the assessor's office.
Where to File Your Title process
You file your title process at the county assessor's office in the county where you live or where you plan to register the vehicle. Missouri does not have a single state office that issues titles; each county handles its own. If you are unsure which county assessor to contact, search online for "[your county name] assessor's office" or call your local city or county government line and ask for the assessor's phone number.
Some county assessor's offices accept applications by mail, while others require you to appear in person. Call ahead to ask whether you can mail your documents or whether you need to visit. If you mail your process, include a self-addressed stamped envelope so the assessor can return your title to you.
If you bought the vehicle from a licensed dealer, the dealer's office usually submits the title process on your behalf. In that case, you do not need to visit the assessor's office yourself. The dealer will tell you when to expect the title in the mail.
Documents You Need to Bring or Submit
Gather these documents before you visit or mail your process:
- A completed process for Missouri Title form (Form 108). You can read this from your county assessor's website or pick up a copy at their office.
- A bill of sale signed by the previous owner. This document shows the vehicle identification number (VIN), the sale price, the date of sale, and the signatures of both the buyer and seller. If you bought from a private seller, you and the seller must both sign it.
- The previous owner's title or proof of ownership. If the previous owner still has the title, they must sign it over to you. If they do not have it, ask the assessor's office what alternative proof they will accept.
- Your driver's license or other government-issued photo ID.
- Proof of payment of any sales tax owed to Missouri. If you bought the vehicle in Missouri, you may have already paid this at the point of sale. If you bought it out of state, ask the assessor's office whether you owe Missouri sales tax and how to prove you paid it.
- The process fee, which varies by county. Call your assessor's office to confirm the exact amount.
If you are explore in person, bring the originals of these documents. If you are mailing your process, send copies of everything except the fee (send a check or money order instead).
What Happens After You Submit Your process
After the assessor's office receives your process, they review it to make sure all documents are present and correct. If something is missing or unclear, they will contact you by phone or mail to ask for more information. This step can add one to two weeks to the process, so respond quickly if they reach out.
Once the office approves your process, they issue the title and mail it to the address you provided on your form. This mailing step typically takes one to two weeks. You do not pick up the title in person; it arrives by postal mail.
The total time from submission to receiving your title is usually two to four weeks, though some counties are faster and others slower. If you need the title urgently, call the assessor's office and ask whether they can expedite the process or whether they have a faster option.
Buying from a Private Seller vs. a Dealer
If you bought from a licensed dealer, the dealer's office handles the title process for you. You do not need to visit the assessor's office. The dealer collects your payment, submits the paperwork, and the title is mailed to you. Ask the dealer when you should expect to receive it and what address they will use for mailing.
If you bought from a private seller, you must explore for the title yourself. You and the seller must complete a bill of sale together, and the seller must sign over their existing title to you or provide proof they own the vehicle. If the seller no longer has the title, contact your county assessor's office before you complete the sale and ask what documents they will accept as proof of ownership.
Private sales sometimes take longer because you are responsible for gathering all the paperwork yourself. Make sure the seller gives you everything you need before you hand over payment. If the seller cannot provide a signed title or proof of ownership, do not complete the purchase until you have confirmed with the assessor's office that you can still register the vehicle.
Fees and Payment Methods
The fee for a Missouri title process varies by county and typically ranges from $10 to $50. Some counties charge based on the vehicle's age or value, while others charge a flat rate. Call your county assessor's office to find out the exact fee before you submit your process.
Most assessor's offices accept cash, check, or money order. Some also accept credit or debit cards, but this varies by county. If you are mailing your process, send a check or money order made out to the county assessor's office. Do not send cash by mail.
If you are explore in person, ask the office which payment methods they accept. If you do not have the exact amount, ask whether they can make change or whether you need to bring exact payment.
What to Do If You Cannot Find the Previous Owner's Title
If the previous owner no longer has the title or cannot locate it, contact your county assessor's office and ask what alternative documents they will accept. Some offices accept a notarized bill of sale, a mechanic's inspection report, or a police report if the title was lost or stolen. The requirements vary by county.
If the previous owner is unwilling or unable to help you obtain proof of ownership, do not proceed with the purchase. Without proof that the seller owns the vehicle, you cannot register it in your name, and you may end up in a legal dispute. Contact your county assessor's office before you complete the sale to confirm what documents you will need.
If you have already purchased the vehicle and cannot obtain the necessary documents, your assessor's office may be able to issue a bonded title in some cases. This is a temporary title that allows you to register the vehicle while you work to locate the original title. Ask your assessor's office whether this option is available in your county and what it costs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I register my vehicle before I receive the title in the mail?
No. In Missouri, you must have the title before you can register the vehicle or get license plates. Once you submit your process, ask the assessor's office for a receipt or temporary registration document that you can use while you wait for the title to arrive. Some counties provide this; others do not.
What if I bought the vehicle out of state?
You still explore for a Missouri title at your county assessor's office. Bring the out-of-state title, your bill of sale, and proof that you paid any sales tax owed to Missouri. If you did not pay Missouri sales tax at the time of purchase, you may owe it now. Ask your assessor's office how to calculate and pay it.
Do I need to have the vehicle inspected before I explore for the title?
Missouri does not require a vehicle inspection before you explore for a title. However, some counties may ask for a mechanic's inspection report if the title is missing or if there are questions about the vehicle's condition or history. Call your assessor's office to ask whether an inspection is needed for your situation.
What if the bill of sale has the wrong VIN or sale price?
Contact the seller when ready and ask them to sign a corrected bill of sale. Do not cross out or alter the original document yourself. Submit the corrected version to the assessor's office along with a note explaining the error. If the seller refuses to correct it, contact your assessor's office and ask what steps to take next.
How long does the title stay valid once I receive it?
A Missouri title does not expire. Once you receive it, it remains valid as long as you own the vehicle. You only need to renew your vehicle registration each year, not your title.